Date:April 17th Time: 6:00 pm Location:Facility

Do you have a favourite breed of dog? Comment and share with us below! BONUS POINTS IF YOU GUESS OUR TEAMS FAVOURITES: Jenna-? Jason-? Jess-? Des-? Seph-? Max-?

Is it okay for Alice to hold her place on her bed on the floor, or should it be something higher to train her?

When bringing a new puppy into your home, many people rush to obedience training, believing it to be the foundation of a well-behaved dog. However, the most crucial aspect of early puppy development is engagement and socialization—not traditional obedience. Here’s why focusing on engagement will set the stage for a strong, lifelong bond with your puppy and how you can implement it effectively. The First Few Months Are Crucial for Development A puppy's early months are the most formative stage of their life. Their experiences during this time shape how they see the world, react to stimuli, and develop relationships. Prioritizing engagement over obedience ensures they learn to value their owner over distractions and navigate their environment with confidence. Your Puppy Doesn’t Need to Play with Other Dogs Many believe that socialization means letting puppies interact with other dogs freely. However, dogs will always choose their own species unless they have a strong bond with their owner. Instead, I want my puppy to see me and my family as their primary source of fun, food, and survival. This prevents future behavioral issues like leash reactivity, over-excitement around other dogs, or ignoring their handler. Hand Feeding Strengthens Engagement Hand feeding is one of the most effective ways to build engagement. My puppies eat 95% of their meals from my hands, 5% inside their crate—whether they are on raw food or kibble. This teaches them: - To focus on me for their survival - That I am the source of all good things - To engage with me naturally, without force or pressure - The crate is a good place This practice builds a puppy that willingly offers engagement and sees their handler as the most important part of their world. Puppies Should Be Aloof to Strangers and Other Animals I teach my puppies that people and animals are simply part of the environment, not sources of excitement or food. This prevents hyperactivity, jumping, and excessive friendliness towards strangers. My puppies are allowed to sniff new people, but I ask that no one touches or engages with them. This ensures that my puppy’s primary focus remains on me.

Hello! I know this can be a polemic topic with strong “no” opinions, but I’m trying to build the strongest bond with my puppy. Since my talk with Jessica, I’ve been playing with her a lot more, not fully focusing on training right now, and hand-feeding all the time. Would letting her sleep in my bed help strengthen our bond, or is it a bad idea? Sorry if it’s a silly question—just looking for advice! Thanks!