Welcome, Puppy! Teaching Good House Manners

Puppies need to learn what we’d like them to do when loose in the home. Until puppies have matured and learned to reliably relax in the home without constant monitoring, we will continue using their YES space, the crate, and/or tie-down to prevent accidents and inappropriate choices. Guide dog puppies should spend their free time in the home settled quietly or playing with their own toys without getting on the furniture, racing through the house, or chewing inappropriate items. We want our pups to be welcome guests in any home!

What You’ll Need 

• Food rewards (measure out the amount you use and deduct it from their next meal!)
• A sleepy puppy who is not hungry, thirsty, and has been recently relieved
• Food-stuffed Kong or other chew toy
• Lightweight leash (like your nylon puppy leash!)
• Small, puppy-proofed area of your home during a quiet time of day
• Your undivided attention (at first!)

Choose a room in your home that is easy to puppy-proof and without many tempting items. Get comfortable and hold the puppy’s leash. You want the puppy to settle with 4-on-the-floor and engage with toy(s), snuggle in for some cuddles, or even take a nap. To set the puppy up for success, you can:

• Talk to the puppy in a calm and soothing voice to encourage low-energy activities
• Offer the puppy the stuffed Kong or other chew toy to reduce inappropriate chewing
• Have a cozy dog bed nearby to reduce the temptation to get on your furniture
• Allow the pup to explore anywhere within the length of the leash
  • If they hit the end and are persistent about pulling, call them back – or gently reel them back in with the leash
  • Quietly reward with a calm voice or kibble (as long as it doesn’t make them too excited)

If the puppy tries to investigate anything off-limits, interrupt them with a quick “hey!” or a clap of your hands. Offer them an alternative, appropriate toy instead and encourage them to engage with that toy. Keep any toy play low-key (i.e. chewing) since you are trying to encourage quiet, calm settling!

Once the pup has had several successful sessions settling while you hold the leash, you can repeat the same process but drop the leash and let it drag. Using a drag line is helpful just in case you need to reel them in to keep them from getting into too much mischief. Keep an eye out for signs the puppy needs to potty. They may need to relieve more frequently when loose than if they were confined. Soon you will have a pup who can settle and self-entertain loose in one room of your home!

Repeat the process in a few different areas in your home and you can start having the pup out more often while you’re home and able to keep an eye on them.

Here’s a Tip!

• Settling is easiest when household activity is low. Confine the pup if you expect more activity or you can’t focus on redirecting and rewarding a pup who still needs constant oversight.
• Consider spraying something like Bitter Apple on rug fringe or other items to reduce temptation.