All the talk this week is about us starting to plan for easing the restrictions – not fully leaving lockdown but at least the process is starting. All the signs are that any easing of the restrictions is going to be very slow and steady over a considerable period of time. It’s possible we won’t get fully back to normal for many months or even a year or so.
If you’ve got a new puppy, or more than one dog, or a problem pooch (I’ve had all these at one time or another) you might be worried about how to best socialise, walk or train them respectively. Many people thought lockdown would be a disaster, because you couldn’t get near other dogs.
Surely, people said, if we can’t go to busy areas where dogs can run free and play together like dog parks, we can’t socialise our dogs?
Dogs parks and places where there are lots of off lead dogs are the very worst places you should be if you’re trying to socialise your puppy, exercising several dogs or re-train a problem pooch. I will never tire of debunking this myth.
Lockdown has been really beneficial for many dog owners. Smart puppy owners have bought my latest book, Help! How to Socialise Your Puppy During Lockdown (available from Amazon or from me) and are well on the way to having a social, well-adjusted puppy.
Multi-dog owners have had the same experience as many families – when you’re thrown together in your own family group and can’t get out, you learn other ways to cope and although there may still be occasional friction, in general both dogs and people are better off for it.
But those who will see the biggest benefit are the people with problem pooches – those with barking maniacs or reactive, leash-pulling, lunging tornadoes. Keeping a distance and walking where it’s quiet are crucial parts of helping these dogs.
Keep training and keep safe,
Carol