01/11/2022
Puppies
Hersenwerk with young puppies
(8 weeks-5 months old)
If you welcome a puppy into your home, you probably can't wait to do all kinds of activities together.
Maybe you learned about Hersenwerk and really want your puppy to enjoy the fun!
But.... a puppy needs to be a puppy first. Puppies need to be able to discover the world in their own way and at their own pace. As an owner you're the one to guide them through that process and make sure that your puppy gets what he needs.
Hersenwerk for dogs has a clear vision about puppies (8 weeks-5 months old) and Hersenwerk:
- A puppy's life is full of discoveries
- Let puppies discover the world
- Let them develop at their own pace
- Offer them all kinds of (safe) materials they can sniff and feel
- Make sure they sleep a lot
- Offer new things phased; preferably one new stimulus per day
- Guide your puppy, without cheering
- Be your puppy's safe haven
Things you can offer your puppy to enrich his life:
Inside the house you find many things your puppy can explore. Put a doormat or bathmat on the floor and let the puppy discover how it feels and smells. Same with f.e. boxes, paper, bowls, bags and clothes.
Outside the house there is a world full of smells and stimuli for your puppy. Let him smell, stand still, listen, feel. He needs this to get to know the outside world.
If your puppy shows you he's ready to discover the world a little more, let him slowly and relaxed discover grass, the street, asphalt, a brick wall, a garbage bin, people, cats, children and other dogs. If your puppy only wants to sniff from a distance, that is okay! He'll approach it when he's ready to do so. Never force him.
Give your puppy the time he needs to smell and discover!
And what do you do? Sit down and watch and enjoy your puppy!
When your puppy is getting older (after 5 months), you can start with easy Hersenwerk with treats. Only a few minutes per day is enough. Puppies need much time to sleep and process all their discoveries.
Photo: Rob Wensveen