Can Puppies or Kittens be Therapy Pets?
"A good beginning makes a good ending" - English proverb

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Photo courtesy of www.puppyprodigies.org/
Although few can resist cuddling a cute furry puppy or kitten, puppies & kittens are just too unpredictable (especially with those little needle teeth and razor sharp toe nails!) to be safe and happy therapy pets.  Puppies & kittens are also more likely to spread or catch communicable diseases.  For those and other reasons all dogs & cats must be at least 1 year old to be evaluated for the Delta Society Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test.

HOWEVER; even if you have no interest in volunteering with your puppy - BUT ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO! -  PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO BEGIN SOCIALIZING AND TRAINING YOUR PUPPY to build TRUST & CONFIDENCE!  START NOW! (see video below)  PLEASE VISIT http://www.k9coachtraining.com/puppy.html for information about Julia Kopan's K-9 Coach Puppy Classes in Granville!   


Regardless of what goals or expectations we may or may not have for our dogs, puppy training and socialization should begin as early as possible. 

It's a very common mistake to wait for puppies to "settle down" before begining age appropriate training & socialization.  Mothers set rules, boundaries and limitations for their pups right from birth and so must we to assure their happiness – always in a calm, consistent, pro-active manner – regardless of size or breed - keeping in mind their sensitivity and lack of impulse control.  Although dogs can learn at any age, the earlier training begins the easier it will be.  What may initially seem adorable may soon be quite problematic as they grow so make sure you are reinforcing desired behaviors and not inadvertently reinforcing undesirable behaviors.     

Your puppies' socialization with both people and other dogs during it's first 12 weeks will last a lifetime (to varying degrees depending on the individual) - for better or worse - and he or she is learning every day so it's important to socialize your puppy with strangers away from home as soon as possible.  Please see Puppy Social Development Stages, What Kind of Training Does My Dog Need to Become a Therapy Dog , Socialization & AVSAB Position on Puppy Socialization for more information on puppy socialization & dog training. 

IMPORTANT NOTES FROM PUPPY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STAGES:HUMAN SOCIALIZATION PERIOD - (7 weeks - somewhere between 12 & 14 weeks, 3 mos.)  This is the age when most rapid learning occurs. Greatest impact on future social behavior will be made by any experience that happens at this point. THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IS CLOSING. Don't miss this VERY IMPORTANT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY for your puppy. ALTHOUGH PUPPIES MAY STILL BENEFIT FROM CONTINUED SOCIALIZATION IT IS NEVER AS EFFECTIVE AFTER 14 WEEKS OF AGE.

FEAR IMPACT PERIOD - (8 - 11 weeks)  This falls within the Human Socialization Period. This is when puppies start to learn from bad experiences, i.e. they remember bad things that happen to them. Anything that frightens the puppy during this period could have a more lasting effect than if it occurred at any other time. This is also a time when puppies are particularly easily frightened.  WEEK 14 - THE TIME TO EASILY SOCIALIZE YOUR PUPPY IS COMING TO A CLOSE!
 
JUVENILE PERIOD - 14 Weeks/3-4 mos. - Occurs between Socialization Period & Puberty.  ...  Pups will attempt to clarify and resolve their boundaries. ...  So long as you provide structure and healthy management of your puppy's time, this transition should be relatively painless.  Puppy should be attending a socialization class by now! IF THESE THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED FOR, ALL HECK IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE!
Please see our list of recommended trainers  ASAP 
to give your puppy the best opportunity to enjoy a confident, happy life.