Pups and Lessons from the Litter

The first and very best teacher for your puppy is the mother of the litter. That dog has enormous innate wisdom. The survival of her ancestors depended upon it. For the safety of the her litter and herself, the pups had to learn some basic rules and learn them quickly. For example, a noisy litter simply means trouble. It gives away the location of the den and danger follows.

There are important lessons to be learned from watching the mother of the litter teach and discipline the puppies. If possible, sit and observe her at work. Her task is endless. The pups are exploring their environment and she has lessons to teach.

It is important to note how the mother disciplines the pups. The lesson is quick and then it is finished. It can happen in a matter of seconds. The pup may be disciplined with a nudge, a low growl-like sound, a nip or some equally effective action. In some cases, pup is corrected and briefly ignored. Then pup knows it has done a bad bad bad thing.

The correction is done quickly; then lesson is over. It is finished swiftly.

The correction has purpose. It is not done in anger. And there is not any lingering belligerence. There is no residual animosity. The lesson is taught and things in the litter quickly return to normal.

Humans, on the other hand, extend the correction and create drama. The danger in this is that it may crush the pup’s spirit. The pup can learn from a quick correction. The discipline that pup receives should not threatened its trust in you. From the litter, pup has grown to expect fair, unresentful treatment. It is a wise owner who does not change the basic rules.

Catherine Forsythe