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Low Stress Handling

Low-stress handling involves quiet, gentle, and calm interactions that build trust and confidence in your puppy. Here are some key principles:

Video: Low-Stress Handling for Dogs

  • Practice Patience and Consistency: Short, calm sessions are essential.
  • Use Minimal Restraint: Freedom builds trust. Start in a small, distraction-free space like a bathroom or laundry room. If a small space isn’t available, use a back-clipped long line on a harness. This setup lets your puppy leave but remain close enough to return when they feel ready.
  • Move Deliberately and Calmly: Avoid quick movements or loud noises that could startle your puppy. Gentle, steady guidance reduces their need to struggle or pull away.
  • Incorporate Treats: Learning the proper timing and mechanics of offering treats is crucial. When done correctly, treats help your puppy associate handling with positive experiences. Avoid adding treats until you understand when and how to use them effectively.
  • Recognize Distress Signals: If your puppy shows signs of distress, stop the activity whenever possible to maintain trust and prevent fear. Take the time to learn your puppy's body language to better understand how they communicate discomfort.

It’s tempting to rush through tasks for efficiency, but moving too quickly can overwhelm puppies and create long-term challenges. Forcing them into situations to “get the job done” may seem productive in the short term but often leads to significant behavioral and emotional setbacks.

Example: Nail Trimming

  • Going Too Fast: You restrain the puppy, grab the clippers, and trim all their nails in one session, ignoring their distress.
  • Short-Term Outcome: The nails get trimmed.
  • Long-Term Consequence: The puppy becomes fearful of nail clippers, grooming, or even being handled, making future sessions a struggle.

The Payoff — By going at your puppy’s pace, you build trust and confidence, laying a strong foundation for learning and problem-solving. Embracing low-stress, Fear Free methods fosters a resilient, happy companion. Your calm, patient efforts today will lead to a lifetime of less stress for both you and your puppy.

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