|
Too
Young to Leave My Mom
(how old should your new puppy be
when you get it)
by
Roberta Mallott
I will write a little personal
background information as to why I so fervently believe these
little tykes need activities to keep their minds working.
Twelve years ago, we brought home a
little Yorkie puppy. After
much insistence on our part, the breeder allowed us to bring the
puppy home with us from Texas.
She was just a couple of days under 6 weeks old when we
took her from her mom and siblings.
We know now that was way too young to leave her mom.
But at the time, we had no idea what a terrible thing we
were doing to that little girl.
After all, we would love Cassie, give her everything she
needed, we had two other Yorkies for her to play with. What
else would she ever need?
She learned no bite inhibition, nor did
she learn to play with the others.
She learned very quickly how to rule them - they gave in to
her every whim. We
were raising a five pound monster.
She became dog aggressive, and a little people aggressive
(especially with kids). I
decided that I would try to bring a little happiness into her
little life - she was not a happy girl at this time.
We spent an entire summer attempting to control the dog
aggression - this was important as by this time we belonged to a
group of people involved in agility, and public demonstrations of
pet ownership. A nasty
little dog was not a good promotion of the image we wanted to
portray. She learned
that it was not necessary to growl at every dog she saw, that by
watching me she received tasty rewards, much more praise (I had
tried the traditional obedience method - didn’t do anything but
make her worse) and she reveled in the time spent.
She was keeping busy - learning agility - learning to play
- share - what a nice change.
Then we acquired a little pom girl who
got along with everyone. Such
a wonderful change. She
was happy, played nicely, shared toys, and yes - got along with
Cassie very well.
Then we did it again.
Brought home a little pom puppy - about 7 weeks old, but
who had been taken from her mother between five and six weeks of
age. Again, we spoiled
her - she became demanding, we pampered her - she learned “everything
belonged to her”.
But, over the years, we had become a little wiser.
We could see where we were heading and did not like the
direction.
Ladybug was enrolled in agility classes
- given a job to do. Cassie
learned to cart, Ladybug learned agility.
They are happiest when they are busy. These
two little girls were given jobs to do, to keep their minds and
bodies busy. It gave
them things to think about besides bad behaviors.
And, after re-reading this article, I am
not so sure it has so much to do with giving our little ones jobs
to do, as it has to do with the necessity of not taking them from
their moms and siblings too early.
Their moms teach them so much.
So much that we know nothing about.
Bite inhibition, getting along with others, SOCIALIZATION
SKILLS! Skills that
are necessary for them to become well adjusted members of the
community. Those first few
months of their lives are so very important to their well-being.
This information is probably a replay for many, to many it
is well known fact. But,
if it helps just one little puppy learn what it should from its
mom, then I will be happy.
~
Submitted by
Roberta
Mallott, Pondside Toys
Blenheim
Ontario, Canada
rmalott1@ciaccess.com |
