How to Make My Puppy More Confident

A confident puppy is a happy and secure one. Early in their lives, puppies need to learn to be comfortable in different environments and situations. The critical learning period to build your puppy's confidence is between three to twelve weeks, since puppies acquire most of their adult sensory, motor, and learning abilities during this period. This is when you should provide your puppy with many meaningful experiences.

Things You'll Need

  • Collar & Leash
  • Veterinarian
  • Puppy-carrier to safely transport your puppy
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Instructions

    • 1
      Encourage children to be gentle when handling puppies.

      Introduce your puppy to different types of people within the controlled environment of your home. Rather than overexposing your puppy to a very large group, introduce her to individuals or small groups. Introduce her to people of all ages, different personalities (for example, quieter versus outgoing people), and people with varied vocal ranges, from very high-pitched to deep voices. Ask some of your visitors to wear hats or boots since puppies can sometimes be fearful of individuals wearing these clothing items.

    • 2

      Expose your puppy to potentially frightening noises within the home. Sudden, loud noises often scare dogs. Gradually introduce your puppy to equipment that could potentially scare her, such as blenders, vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers. First show her the equipment while it is turned off, then turn it on at a comfortable distance away from your puppy. CDs playing environmental noises, such as thunderstorms or emergency vehicle sirens, help acclimate puppies to these unpredictable sounds.

    • 3
      Puppies are typically very curious and enjoy visiting new places.

      Take your puppy on daily outings to dog-friendly locales such as parks (not dog parks), outdoor cafes, and pet-friendly stores. This will not only give her an opportunity to adjust to different environments, but will also provide her with exercise. Regular exercise promotes physical well-being and reduces stress levels, resulting in a calmer, more self-assured puppy.

    • 4
      Make sure your puppy has received vaccinations prior to class.

      Enroll your puppy in a puppy socialization class, beginning from seven- to eight-weeks old. Puppy classes teach puppies to appropriately interact with other dogs in a controlled, safe environment, which helps them become more confident in their future encounters with other dogs.