Our clients had their share of unfulfilling experiences with dogs, including behavior issues and health issues. They reached out even before their puppy’s arrival, so we could organize indoor play and train space, a crate, indoor and outdoor exercise pens, a leash and harness, toys, treats, food, and much more. We also discussed the importance of attitude and mindset toward a new puppy and lined up vets and groomers.
They named their beautiful new female Maltese mix puppy Pashmak, after the Persian dessert that resembles her smooth, silky coat. Pashmak was given a schedule including games, exercise, socialization, crating, indoor and outdoor solo time, and mat time in designated spaces.
Nevertheless, Pashmak’s first few days were bumpy, with lots of barking, fussing, and whining in her crate. Our clients panicked, fearing behavior issues. But their new pup was just homesick and culture-shocked – she needed time to adjust. I warned Pashmak’s mom, with a touch of humor, that she could expect fierce initial reactions from her spirited pup in just about any situation. But she could calmly ride out Pashmak’s many new experiences.
Our clients applied the Way of Life Method to near perfection. Through private coaching and referring to The Way of Life Method and Puppy Primer, Pashmak’s mom organized the entire family around the care of their new pup. She dedicated herself to diligently applying the pillars of the method, adjusting course as her pup matured.
She took in stride her pup’s resistance to being crated, transported in a crate, and put in her outdoor x-pen alone, building self-esteem in a toy dog that so many others would have spoiled and coddled instead. She patiently housetrained Pashmak, accepting accidents and knowing that her pup’s cleanliness instincts were on her side. Common advice says to take puppies out every two hours, but Pashmak was taken out only 4 or 5 times a day. This allowed Pashmak the rest she needed and minimized interference. Pashmak’s mom encouraged her sons to walk and play Pashmak, who played tug better than many larger dogs.
Again contrary to popular advice, Pashmak’s socialization was restricted to her family and extended family, and her vet and groomer. She met strangers and their dogs at a distance on walks and visits to pet stores and dog-friendly cafes. My dogs were the only ones she interacted with directly, at our training sessions. Given their impeccable behavior around her, they gave her confidence around dogs, while dogs socialized excessively often become anxious around other dogs.
At home, Pashmak was allowed in only a few spaces and always supervised. Her spaces were blocked off with her toys and mat provided. Eventually, our clients introduced “sniffy walks” in different parts of the house, gradually exposing her both at home and outside. She will need grooming throughout her life, but we delayed her first appointment as much as possible to ensure she was ready. Pashmak handled the experience like a lady.
When our coaching wrapped up, Pashmak was a maturing 8-month-old adolescent. Thanks to the incredibly thoughtful application of the method, this sound pup boarded with us confidently, braving her alone time like a big girl, crating in this new place like it was nothing, and socializing fully around my dogs.
Our clients feel a tremendous satisfaction when they see their well-behaved, stable, fun-to-play-with and fun-to-walk pup, especially after past challenges with dogs. We teach the Way of Life Method, but it is our clients who diligently bring the method to life and reveal its power in raising sound, strong, and spirited dogs.
