Puppy Culture: raising a puppy through the first 12 weeks of its life

Episode 28 · March 23rd, 2020 · 51 mins 55 secs

About this Episode

While there are many innate temperament traits (nature), we can't discount how a puppy is raised (nurture). 3/4 of the puppy raising job belongs to the breeder and 1/4 of this job belongs to us, the puppy owners. The first 12 weeks of a puppy's life make a lasting impact. It is the critical socialization period that can support a dog toward being a well adjusted and resilient doggy citizen or lead them to be fearful or a bully of a dog.

Because it's a team effort, choosing a responsible breeder is crucial and at least as important as understanding what to do once puppy comes home.

Our guest, Jane Killion, is a breeder of bull terriers and creator of Puppy Culture: an educational film and program on exactly how to raise puppies during their first 12 weeks. In today's episode you will learn:

  • Why early socialization is so important.
  • What kind of experiences a young puppy need to do well in the world.
  • How many positive contacts with a new experience is necessary for a puppy to form a lifetime of positive association.
  • What to do if a puppy accidentally has a bad experience so you can change their formed association.
  • Why it's important to skip any kind of exposure that you're not confident will go well.
  • Why play dates with one other safe dog are better than big play groups.
  • Why you should be cautious about big puppy playdates.
  • Jane's perspective on the best age for breeders to send puppies home.
  • All about "manding" -- the concept of teaching puppies how to politely ask for what they want and why it's important.
  • The importance of giving your dog a voice early on.
  • And more!
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