What’s the cutest initiative out there? A puppy initiative, of course. And the sad thing is, it’s needed.
According to research, we think puppies are the cutest. No, I’m not kidding. There is research on this. Researchers in Italy compared how people responded to puppies as opposed to small dogs hanging out on the street. Their goal was to investigate whether people are attracted merely to small dogs or if it is a dog’s “puppiness” that really gets us going. The answer: a resounding “We want puppies!”
Unfortunately, puppies don’t stay puppies forever. What was once considered “Oh! She’s so cute! It’s okay, nibble on my shoe! AWW you’re so cute!” very quickly becomes “No! No! Bad Dog!”
Notice a difference?
According to research, we think puppies are the cutest. No, I’m not kidding. There is research on this. Researchers in Italy compared how people responded to puppies as opposed to small dogs hanging out on the street. Their goal was to investigate whether people are attracted merely to small dogs or if it is a dog’s “puppiness” that really gets us going. The answer: a resounding “We want puppies!”
Unfortunately, puppies don’t stay puppies forever. What was once considered “Oh! She’s so cute! It’s okay, nibble on my shoe! AWW you’re so cute!” very quickly becomes “No! No! Bad Dog!”
Notice a difference?
How can we keep puppies in the hearts (and homes) of humans and prevent cries of “No! No! Bad Dog!”?
Dr. Ian Dunbar has been in the business of keeping puppies in the home since 1980 when he founded Sirius Dog Training, the first off-leash puppy training program.
To celebrate their 30th birthday, Dunbar, Sirius Dog Training and Dog Star Daily have launched a Puppy Raising Initiative. What is a puppy raising initiative? It’s not where you get lots of puppies in the same place and raise them. It’s a way for prospective and new puppy owners to get a heck of a lot of information and a heck of a lot of support.
Puppy Raising Initiative
Step 1: Provide free stuff
Anyone, from owners and trainers to your dog-loving grandmother, can download two of Dunbar’s eBooks for free, Before You Get Your Puppy and After You Get Your Puppy. Download them, read them and raise that puppy.
Dr. Ian Dunbar has been in the business of keeping puppies in the home since 1980 when he founded Sirius Dog Training, the first off-leash puppy training program.
To celebrate their 30th birthday, Dunbar, Sirius Dog Training and Dog Star Daily have launched a Puppy Raising Initiative. What is a puppy raising initiative? It’s not where you get lots of puppies in the same place and raise them. It’s a way for prospective and new puppy owners to get a heck of a lot of information and a heck of a lot of support.
Puppy Raising Initiative
Step 1: Provide free stuff
Anyone, from owners and trainers to your dog-loving grandmother, can download two of Dunbar’s eBooks for free, Before You Get Your Puppy and After You Get Your Puppy. Download them, read them and raise that puppy.
Step 2: Come together, all dog professionals
Spread the word about puppy training and the importance of early-life experiences. Breeders, veterinarians, retailers, trainers, shelters and rescue groups can customize the two free eBooks with their business name and contact information and distribute to clients.
Dog professionals can burn the customized books and Behavior Blueprints (plus articles) to a CD for duplication and distribute to veterinarians, pet stores, breeders and shelters. Learn more here.
Step 3: Connect with prospective and new puppy owners
Step 3: Connect with prospective and new puppy owners
As Dunbar explains, “New puppy owners are largely unaware of the extreme urgency of maintaining errorless house-training and chewtoy-training programs and continuing to safely socialize puppies with people during their first couple of months at home. The necessary information is available but the challenge is to make sure that prospective and new puppy owners have the information at the appropriate time — when they are searching for or have just acquired a new puppy.”
Many puppy owners don’t initially have training on the brain. But breeders, shelters, rescue groups and veterinarians can direct puppy owners to trainers! Dunbar urges professionals (with access to puppies) to advise new puppy owners to consult with a trainer as soon as possible. Live with a puppy? Thinking of living with a puppy? Like puppies? Click here.
Here's to preventing “No! No! Bad Dog!” See you in puppy class.
* Mariti, C., et al. 2010. Puppies’ appeal on people: a comparison with small adult dogs. Canine Science Forum. Vienna, Austria.
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