12 tasks that lead to a bonded, respectful relationship with your new puppy.

The Giants Litter puppies are on their way home!!

Jay and the pups are somewhere in New Mexico this morning, enjoying the sunny southwest.

I bet it’s nice to leave the snow behind and see the sun again for a while.

Here is a picture of Orion and Goliath enjoying the sites as they roll down the highway.

Atlas (fka: Hayk) had the privilege of traveling home to Kodiak, Alaska in style right next to his new mom in the cabin of the plane.

And I have to tell you… his new mom did EVERYTHING right with her new puppy.

If you want to have a perfect start to your American Dirus puppy’s new life, follow this great example from a new puppy mom.

I met her at a hotel near the Spokane International airport.

When I set puppy down on the grass to potty, she did NOT rush over to him or push her excitement on the little guy.

Instead, she did a series of twelve tasks that will be sure to lead to a wonderful bonded relationship built on trust and mutual respect.

1. She stood slightly away from puppy and allowed her new furry boy to come to her. (which he did, wagging his tail)
2. She pet him briefly to acknowledge his affection, but did NOT pick him up, making him immediately uncomfortable in the arms of a stranger.
3. She allowed him to roll around in the grass near her and go between me and her as much as he wanted.
4. She praised him immediately when he pottied. (He loved her high-pitched praise and told her so by coming to her feet and wagging his tail.) Then, she pet him. (More praise and acknowledgement)
5. She allowed me to pick him up and hand him over to her. Puppy was already familiar with me picking him up, so he accepted my lift. Then, since he had “met” her on the grass, he allowed her to hold him.
6. She did NOT put him down immediately when he squirmed, but held him like the calm, protective leader she should be, as I showed her his paperwork.
7. She then clipped the leash on his puppy collar and set him down, but did NOT pull on his leash in any way. Instead she placed herself in a position to keep the leash loose at all times.
8. When she wanted her new puppy to follow her, she called him to her in a high-pitched voice, never tugging on the leash (his first time ever on a tether).
9. When puppy followed after her sound, she walked a little farther, keeping pace with his. She NEVER made the leash taunt.
10. She continued calling puppy to her and walking in front of him at his easy pace. Puppy was not afraid and followed willingly after her with a good woddle.
11. After we said our goodbyes, she walked toward the hotel, waiting patiently whenever he needed to stop and observe his surroundings. She did NOT scoop him up quickly and head right into the hotel. She waited outside the hotel for him to observe all he wanted and seek comfort from her should he need. She was in NO hurry. It was not about her, but about the puppy’s new connection to her that was the most important.
12. When he sat next to her, looking up to her for comfort, she lifted him into her arms. Again, not rushing into the hotel, but spending a special moment with him in her arms snuggling and bonding.

When you receive your new puppy, I hope you allow it to get to know you without rushing the process or quickly moving, lifting, or pulling your puppy.

A lot of times, humans can get in a hurry.

We want things to happen right now.

But American Dirus puppies are not quick and need TIME to process and think.

Take a deep breath. Allow your body to relax. Give your puppy the gift of time to get to know you.

Be a strong leader, but never forceful or pushy.

Be mindful of your puppy’s emotions.

Our dogs are sensitive and want to rely on you to have their back and show them you respect their feelings and needs.

I suspect Atlas is going to rival the best dog they’ve ever owned just based on the respectful relationship she built with him right from the start.

WELL DONE!

…

P.S. The new video is up! Take a gander at how we prepared the puppies for the DireWolf Express trip in the rain.

https://youtu.be/9IaJ3mH1BAM

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Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.