Touch Sensitivity
As part of our puppy socialization process, we strive to get our puppies comfortable with a variety of handling. The more we can handle, touch and desensitize each puppy, the more comfortable they will be as they grow. While we may start these touching practices with our puppies, it is important for the new puppy owner to continue them at home.
The goal is to teach puppy that this type of touch is normal. Puppies will typically start by tolerating initial touch, but with repetition and slow pressure increases, most will relax into our touches and settle quickly. When we are socializing each puppy, we want to get them comfortable with the entire range of touches and handling they can expect from humans.
Below is a breakdown of what we focus on weekly. You will notice we focus on the same type of touch, but simply adjust our pressure as puppy gets older.
Weeks 1-2
At one, two and three days old puppies will only be handled for necessary reasons. Handling will be brief, then puppy is returned to mom to create as little stress as possible for both puppy and mom to ensure everyone is thriving.
- Weighing puppy
- Ribbon/collar change as needed
- Head to toe check
At days 4-14 we will gently increase the touch while continuing the above. We will closely monitor how the puppies react with this touch. We will run our fingers along their body then pull them up to our face to allow them to smell our nose and mouth. We then will hold them close to our heart. Once we can feel the puppy is feeling calm with this touch, we will return to mom.
Week 3/Week 4At the start of week three we will begin to incorporate new, different types of touch. Handling may slightly differ from puppy to puppy. Some may experience less that another initially. We make sure puppy is comfortable with handling before adding additional types.
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Week 5
At week five, we start to add a few differences to the type of touch. Each bolded item below indicates the slight changes to how we touch. Each week we will increase the pressure as well. Remember the goal of this is to get them used to this type of touch that many adult dogs will not tolerate. This will help these puppies learn that ear touching, tail tugging, collar grabbing etc. is not a big deal.
- Rub and tug on ears
- Cover eyes
- Open mouth and run fingers on gums
- Rub belly in circular motions
- Run hand down back and back up
- In a circular motion, tug and twist on the tail
- Touch all paws and push in between pads
- Tap nails
- Run fingers around neck and tug on collar
- Touch their nose.
Week 6 & Week 7
Week six we will again, increase the pressure and there will be a slight adjustment by adding a pat on the back. Changes are subtle and at this point, puppies are typically used to the touch and settle quickly.
- Rub and tug on ears
- Cover eyes
- Open mouth and run fingers on gums
- Rub belly in circular motions
- Run hand down back and back up, then pat on back
- In a circular motion, tug and twist on the tail
- Touch all paws and push in between pads
- Tap nails
- Run fingers around neck and tug on collar
- Touch their nose.
Week 8 and Beyond
At week 8, puppy will typically come home to you. It is important to continue this type of touch to ensure puppy remembers that through their life, this type of touch isn't scary. We encourage our new puppy owners to perform their own touch daily as long as you are willing. This will help tremendously with grooming, nail trims, collar grabs etc. You can can easily create a daily routine that incorporates the below steps.
- Rub and tug on ears
- Cover eyes
- Open mouth and run fingers on gums
- Rub belly in circular motions
- Run hand down back and back up, then pat on back
- In a circular motion, tug and twist on the tail
- Touch all paws and push in between pads
- Tap nails
- Run fingers around neck and tug on collar
- Touch their nose.
