Teaching puppies to be 'huggable' - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Teaching puppies to be 'huggable'

Teaching your new puppy to enjoy being hugged/restrained and handled/examined is not only easy, it is essential. If your puppy is not taught to enjoy meeting and being handled by people, your puppy will grow up to be wary and anxious, thus making your routine visits to the trainer, groomer, or veterinarian torturous for everyone involved.

Teaching your puppy to relax and enjoy hugs

While hugs are a very natural behavior for humans, hugs can often make dogs feel smothered or uncomfortably restrained.

Teaching your puppy to enjoy being handled/ examined

We want to desensitize naturally sensitive spots (collar, ears, paws and nails, teeth, tail, and rear end) and create positive association by combining hand-feeding with handling.

Once your puppy begins to enjoy the above exercises, it is now time to play Pass the Puppy. You should encourage all your guests to participate. We want the puppy to be handled and touched by women, men, girls, and boys.

On the Web:

Peace, Love, & Dogs --  http://www.peacelovedogshouston.com/

Get Along Little Doggie -- http://www.getalonglittledoggie.net/