I would like you to think back to the first time you were ever separated from your mum or family. Perhaps it was your first day of school, your first playdate or sleepover? How did you feel? I’m sure we can all say we felt a little bit anxious. Now imagine that you were not only separated from your family but were also taken by total strangers of a different species, who continued to touch you and lift you in the air. You were transported in a loud metal machine, landing in a place you had never seen before. It sounds pretty daunting, that is the experience of your new baby puppy.
Failing to plan is planning to fail. So it is so important our home is prepared and set up for success to aid in the transition into our home.
Now we have all heard of the man-cave, the she-shed or even the traditional cubby house. Humans have needed their own safe spaces so much so they have created these concepts. So how much more important it is to raise our puppies with the same safe space – a Puppy Den.
What is a Puppy Den?
- It is a safe space puppy feels great in! Positive associations are made in the puppy den. Think of how your puppy will be feeling? Having a specific place within our home that promotes positive feelings is going to build trust and start building our human animal bond with puppy. The Puppy Den helps establish security and trust.
- A place new things can be discovered – this includes new toys, chews and bedding I recommend bringing puppy home sometime in the morning, this gives them nearly a whole day to explore their new environment in the daylight. It also gives you the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the puppy den where they can discover their new bed, toys and even perhaps some treats. This is already teaching them that good things happen here and it’s allowing them choice when exploring their environment and choice builds confidence.
- It is a place puppy can go to when supervision is not 100% available, which means the puppy den is enclosed. For the first few months of puppies life supervision is critical for their safety. We can’t supervise our puppy all the time. So If we create this positive puppy den where eventually they are comfortable enough for us to shut the door you don’t have the stress if puppy is possibly in danger or if your couch is in danger from sharp puppy teeth.
- It is a place puppy can go for alone time to build confidence which prevents future separation anxiety. This is a really important reason as to why we need a puppy den. The university of Melbourne report that separation anxiety affects one in every 4 – 6 dogs. So as much as we want puppy to fall asleep in our lap or under our feet it actually hurts their development. We are not going to be able to be with them all the time. So This is why we train them early to go to their puppy den or their safe space for some alone time, to build their confidence with the inevitable fact of being left alone.
Now it is important to keep in mind that the puppy den us NOT USED FOR PUNISHMENT and it is NOT ISOLATED AWAY FROM THE MAIN SOCIAL HUB.
Training Puppy To Use the Puppy Den
- Try and introduce puppy to the new den during the daytime.
- Try and increase time alone slowly. You may keep them in the puppy den for 5 minutes and then come back.
- Go slowly and try not to force the puppy into the den.
- When first introducing your puppy to the den keep the door open.
- Use “Good things” like toys and treats. This makes the puppy den a “Good Place” to be.
- Listen! Puppies will communicate to go to the toilet or if they feel unsafe. At this stage listen to your puppy.
How are you going to introduce and start training puppy to use their puppy den? Start slowly, leave the door open so puppy does not feel trapped. Never underestimate the power of comfortable bedding, toys and chews. Puppy will want to be where the good stuff happens. And most importantly you are going to need the help of a very special character.
Training with the The Den Wizard
The Den wizard is your new super awesome persona. What the Den wizard does, is when Puppy is out sniffing roses or playing with the spare human you are going to visit their puppy den, you will scatter some delicious treats or kibble, you might leave a delicious present in the form of a chew, there may be new smells like some sticks or tree leaves, or some old recycling like cardboard to chew on and you might rotate their toys. Then when puppy returns to the den Build up a little excitement and then let puppy explore. This is going to give your puppy a dopamine rush of happy hormones and really cement in their mind that the puppy den is great place to be.
- Scatter Feed treats or kibble around the puppy den or leave a delicious chew.
- Introduce a novel item or smell to explore.
- Change the toy selection. Add new ones or swap toys
- Use recycling to create enrichment activities.
When puppy returns to his den and finds all these INCREDIBLE things it will give puppy a dopamine rush of happy feelings. Associating his den with good things, making him more likely to seek comfort or relaxation in the puppy den.
Puppy Proofing The Home
We also need to make sure the rest of the house is puppy proof. We cannot blame our puppies for being curious. We also don’t want them to practice bad behaviours so:
- Put all shoes, socks, clothes and undies out of puppies reach
- Remove all poisonous plants
- Remove low hanging table cloths and curtains
- Fence off ponds or accessible water
- Ensure yard is secure
- Make sure all chemicals are out of reach
- Check electricity cables
- And remember Monitored furniture remains furniture – un monitored furniture is a potential chew toy
It is going to be the most incredible journey bringing your new puppy into your life just remember Falling to plan is planning to fail. Prepare your home and your family early before puppy arrives. Don’t forget how much you enjoy the comfort of your own bedroom, set up your puppy den to ensure they have a comfortable safe space to learn how to live in our very human world and enjoy your brand new secret persona as the Den wizard, your puppy will love you for it.