Proper puppy enrichment is so important in your dog’s development! Puppies grow up fast, and if you miss out on chances to accustom your puppy to the many factors they will encounter in life, she may have trouble being a balanced adult dog. The ages of eight to twelve weeks are especially important in a puppy’s socialization and fear development. Madison is now eleven weeks old. We picked her up at nine weeks old, two weeks ago today.
Luck is on our side with Madison as her breeder did a great job preparing her for many of the challenges life will present her with, but we cannot drop the ball! It would be irresponsible to not spend time preparing Madison for the future at this highly impressionable time in her puppy life.
Mom enrolled Madison in Puppy Einstein class which she started five days after arriving at our house. The class teaches puppies some basic commands, socialization with other dogs and people, and how to handle a few environmental challenges. Not only does Madison learn new things in class, she learns to be patient and wait her turn, she learns to ride in the car, and she learns to walk through a busy parking lot to get from the car to the school door. Madison also has homework to do each week.
Finding her place in our family is also a big task and an important socialization skill in the puppy enrichment process. Bailie was fearful of Madison at first. Madison kept on trying to win Bailie over for five days and the persistence paid off. They are now best friends and have way too much fun together.
You may remember the tunnel we bought when Bailie was a pup? Mom hauled it out this week on a rainy day, and check out how those two get their wild pants on! They are totally nuts, and Bailie is once again a total puppy! We are happy they are enjoying each other so much!
Madison is a smart puppy. She can read other dogs very well. It was obvious to her that I am the top dog at our house, which is why she showed her submissive behavior right away with me. Until she is fully vaccinated, we only let dogs we know socialize with Madison. Last week, a friend came by to meet Madison and she brought her dogs. Madison read each one, and knew who to leave alone, and who to play with. Some puppies don’t read other dogs well, but Madison does a good job of it.
I don’t play much with Madison, but I will give her a few sprints or circles now and then to let her know I’m not always a grumpy top dog. She has a lot of respect for me and I like it that way. Bailie can be her wild and crazy partner in crime!
When you get your puppy, you have a blank canvas, and it is your job to fill it correctly. In addition to the things I’ve mentioned above, we have also done other things to make sure Madison gets the most puppy enrichment we can give her.
- We had a puppy sitter at our house with her one day.
- Another day, Madison spent the day at the neighbor’s house while we were at an event.
- Madison goes with us to our nose work classes so she can learn to ride in the car, see new places, experience new sounds, and meet new people.
- She comes along to our nose work practice sessions with friends around the community.
- Her meals are served in a variety of ways – plastic dog bowl, metal bowl, plate, on the ground, out of the hand.
- Every morning, Madison tracks for her food, about 20 – 30 ft. right now, in the hope it will imprint in her mind to help her with tracking in the future.
- The paws are experiencing lots of different surfaces such as carpet, tile, linoleum, wood, concrete, grass, asphalt, street grates, wooden bridges.
- Mom checks her teeth, feels her body all over, and trims her nails to assure she is comfortable with being touched all over.
- There are many rules and boundaries for her to follow at home, in the car, and away from home.
It isn’t possible to expose Madison to everything, but we make sure she gets to experience as much as possible to help her navigate the world without fear. If you have a puppy, or are planning on getting a puppy, make sure to offer proper puppy enrichment for the good of your new furry friend! We got a lot of requests to see us three together, so we took this shot. The crazy puppy is still wild, but getting better at staying put for a few seconds at least!
Remember, if you enjoy seeing us in action, especially Madison, Instagram is the place to be. We post all kinds of fun photos and videos there.
I bet Baillie likes having a playmate. I agree with socialization but also we let our puppies be puppies. We do not put a ton of rules on them until they are older.
She has plenty of puppy fun, but she has rules like resting after eating, staying in certain rooms, no stairs, that kind of stuff.
your video is super great!! the mama said if she would live with you, she would do nothing the whole day than to watch you :O)
My mom has trouble concentrating when we are having so much fun.
I have puppy envy
So far Madison is so good, we have no regrets. She is so much fun and so well behaved.
I came home at 11 weeks and my MN family did a great socialization job with me – plus I got to fly on a BIG plane! I am totally submissive with 15 year old alpha dog Hollee, but I want to play with Lyla. It is amazing what we instinctively know. Loved the looks on your face, Emma, as you watched you mom taking the video of you and Madison. Yes, you have another wild child! XOXO Sparkle
You know I do have an expressive face! That is great that you were also well socialized. Madison turned 11 weeks old yesterday.
It is so important to do all those things with puppies. It’s too bad that every new puppy owner doesn’t do the same things. I think some people just expect the dog to grow and be fine, without any guidance. That doesn’t work for kids, or dogs.
So many people have no idea. I know Katie was mom’s first puppy, and they lived in a small town in Germany. Katie got a lot of socialization, but the training was lacking. She turned out alright despite Mom not knowing any better, but it was partially luck.
Great tips, Emma! You remind me of Callie – and Bailie reminds me of Shadow – when we first got Ducky. Callie was top dog/”surrogate mama” and Shadow was big sister. But unlike Madison, Ducky wanted to play only with Callie. And showed no respect for her or Shadow. She’s come a long way since then, though. I’m glad Madison is getting a much better start in life than Ducky got. She’s going to be very well balanced as an adult, just like you and Bailie.
We hope she will grow up right, but it isn’t just the puppy time where training is needed, it is a life long project.
I agree 100%, which is why I have no doubts about Madison’s future.
We are doing our best to prepare her for a great life down the road.
We are really enjoying watching Madison grow up and what great tips on puppy enrichment!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
It’s a lot of responsibility making sure she grows up to be the best dog possible.
I had to laugh because I went to your Instagram and watched the videos first. I wrote that Bailie and Madison were partners in crime and then returned to read you called them the same thing! LOL! #GreatMInds
LOL! That is what Mom calls them, or double trouble. They are almost inseparable right now. We are happy for them. It tires them both out, and they both have a BFF.
Oh oh Bailie and Madison teaming up for trouble, watch your back Emma! My mom tried to do much of this I was 12wks when she got me. But when I was young a huge framed poster fell off of a chest and scared me so bad mom thinks that’s why I’m afraid of noises and things up high. Who knows right? Love Dolly
Fear is also learned at this age, so it is important to keep things as positive as possible. A human can only do so much, but we try to do the best we can between human and dogs for Madison.
It sounds like Madison is finding her place in your family very well. It has to be fun for Bailie to have a playmate and make her feel like a puppy again too. Your Mom is really doing great at helping Madison to learn all she needs to grow up well adjusted, and it’s great advice for all new puppy families.
It’s very important, and sadly many puppies don’t get the exposure to things they should get at a young age. It’s a lot of work having a puppy, but it is also fun to help them grow up to be awesome dogs, as you know.
That was a great video and Madison will do great, she has the best role models ever!
We think she tends to be a lot like Bailie in behavior…more on the naughty I don’t care side of life.
OMD! Congratulations on the new sister she’s adorable!
Thank you. She is a super little puppy.
I think it’s awesome that your mom takes puppy raising so seriously! Good job!
Getting a puppy is more than just fun and games, it is a serious job that one plays and many people don’t realize it or take the time to raise a puppy properly. We are by no means perfect, but we do the best we can.
That does it….I need a puppy! You have managed to convince me!! Seriously…this is a great post with a lot of great information. Thank you!! Such a cutie!!
Thank you. We are really lucky with Madison as she seems to be a perfect puppy. Very smart, sleeps 8 hours at night at 10 weeks, naps a lot, she is awesome!
So much fun! I love that tunnel! I would wear my crazy pants in that thing, too!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Mom only puts it out now and then as we get so charged up, she can’t get us to settle back down!
OMG! We didn’t know you had a new puppy! Too cute and so much fun!!!
Just brought her home on the 13th this month. We love her.
Madison, are you a bad influence on Bailie … or is it the other way around? MOL!!
Bailie has lost any maturity she had and is a totally bad influence on Madison, but they sure have fun!
You are doing such a great job with exposing her to so many different situations that she will carry with her forever. Nice job!
We are trying our best. Mom says she gets better with each new puppy.
I love her crazy face in that last picture! I’ll be excited to see if she remains “that sister” throughout all of your years of family photos–I think every family has one 😉
We will see. Hopefully everyone will keep their personalities. I think Bailie and Madison will always be two wild ones bonded together.
Madison is such a great addition to the family! First – I have that amazon page open with the tunnel so I’m all over that purchase this weekend. Second, Shermie had the same reaction when we brought home Walter. He was afraid and after about a week they were fast friends but Sherm would hide sometimes 🙂 Those first few days were a wild ride! Love that your pack has sorted out the dynamics!
Bailie and Madison are definitely wild and a ride. These days, they have to be separated now and then because they get over the top wild. Madison is still so small, Bailie is gentle, but sometimes when it gets crazy, I think she forgets a bit. You guys will love the tunnel. Mom says it is one of the best toys she has ever bought us. We only take it out now and then to keep it special, but it is always a blast! We use it inside, outside, and even on the snow.
Fantastic advice! And Madison is a cutie. I can’t think of anything more gratifying than adding a new family member that blends in seamlessly and with joy all around.
She truly is an awesome little puppy. She is smart, and so loving. We are very lucky to have her.
Just wanted to let you know this post was one of the three featured on my blog today from the last Showcase 🙂
Thank you. I saw that over on Heart Like a Dog earlier today.
New puppies allow us to become “Paw-cassos” and create masterpieces. 🙂
That is a nice way to look at it!
We couldn’t agree more! And posted about puppy socialization just a few days ago!
We saw your post over on the hop on Saturday 😉
Very important tips to share. Having a puppy in the house does seem to bring out the child in all of us don’t you think? Enjoy these times and please continue to share them with us – your posts make me smile 🙂
Madison is such a good puppy, we are super lucky. Mom is always filming and snapping photos, so no worries about future posts of Madison.
Has mom melted into a pile of mush yet? OMG, I swear, watching Bailie and Madison play is a total joy!
She has a hard time focusing on work when those two are playing, that is for sure, but she has to focus, so she does.
The puppy einstein class sounds interesting! Thank you for sharing some tips and advice for puppies. Great blog!
Since Madison is a smarty pants, we thought the class would suit her. It is all about getting puppies exposure to everything you can, much more so than real training.