Excitability

Reminder:  Sometimes we have to state the obvious just as a reminder.  We have all heard that there is more than one way to skin a cat.  Well there is more than one way to train a dog.  However, when a volunteer signs the contract to raise a CCI puppy, they agree to follow CCI's philosophies, policy's and procedures.    Everyone knows that rules are created for a reason.  Some people don't like to wear seat belts.  Some people don't feel the seat belt law pertains to them.  Breaking the seat belt law has the potential to bring a hefty price if stopped or in an accident.  Are you a CCI rule follower?  Hopefully!  Like the seat belt law there can be consequence for puppy raisers that don't follow the rules.   Of course, talking with your puppy program manager is always an option.  CCI staff are here to help everyone be successful as they journey through the puppy raising process.

Puppy Training Challenge:  Touching the puppy while the puppy eats is part of the CCI evaluation process.  Acclimating the puppy to touching should start as soon as the puppy arrives home.  Hand feeding the puppy helps build responsiveness and trust in their handler.  The puppy should be comfortable with the handler picking up the food bowl, and then  putting the bowl back down.  If the puppy growls over food or toys, please contact your puppy program manager.

CCI Puppy Raising Tip: 

We have a joke between staff about acting like a veterinary technician.  Now don't think I am being mean.  I can make fun of vet techs, because I am one.  Have you been to the vet clinic and the tech, receptionist or assistant sees the cute brown eyed puppy then screams with delight because the puppy exists.  This doesn't just happen at the vet clinic.  We have all met someone at some point that screams in excitement because a puppy is present. 

Well, what happens when someone gets all excited to see a puppy? The answer: The puppy gets excited.

What happens when the puppy is constantly bombarded with people who get overly excited?  The answer: The puppy learns to be excited which reinforces excitability and excitable behaviors develop.

So now  you ask: What are excitable behaviors?  Excitable behaviors are any behavior where the puppy cannot maintain control. 

Examples:

• A puppy in a sit position, but the front feet are dancing.
• A puppy that has a spring attached to its rear end and can't remain sitting.
• A puppy that licks.
• A puppy that jumps, lunges, or bolts toward the happy person.
• A puppy that sounds like Chewbacca, grunting and groaning loudly or even quietly.
• A puppy that submissive grins.

Now if you might think it is only strangers that cause the puppy to get excited.  You might want to evaluate yourself or your family.  Do you accidentally cause excitability?  Do your family members promote excitability? Do you or your family members squeal in a high pitched tone whenever you are reunited with the puppy? 

Regardless of who causes the excitability, the behavior should not be rewarded.  Puppy raisers can minimize the excitability by being aware of emotions that they project and the emotions that are in the environment. 

Ways to prevent teaching a puppy to be excitable:

1. Ignore the puppy when it gets excited.  Only give the puppy attention when they are calm.
2. Regardless of whether it is you entering the house or a visitor, no cooing, baby talk and/or squealing.
3. The puppy should be on leash, or in a crate, when visitors are in your home.
4. Politely tell strangers you are working on teaching the puppy to be calm.  Ask them to please don't pet, or have them shake the puppy's paw instead of petting. 
5. I would say be polite to your family, but will leave that up to you. 
6. Use the Gentle Leader.

Excitability is easily rewarded.  Because it is easily rewarded, it can become a bad habit.  The ideal CCI puppy should be calm and relaxed, doesn't wonder around, or constantly solicit attention from everyone.  If you continue to have problems with excitability, talk with your puppy program manager.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen
Puppy Program Manager