Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog of the Day:
Sophie!
Meme of the day: Fierce little pups!
10 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know
Do you shop at Costco? Then you know the thrill of saving money. But you might be missing other smart ways to stretch your dollars. Check out our list of genius money hacks—almost as good as that $1.50 hot dog!
Paws-itive Beginnings: Understanding the "7-7-7 Rule" for Puppies
Bringing a new puppy home is a time of immense joy, filled with tail wags, clumsy tumbles, and endless cuddles. But as a new pet parent, you might also be wondering how to ensure your little fluffball grows up to be a confident, well-adjusted, and happy adult dog.
Enter the simple yet powerful guideline that many breeders and trainers swear by: The 7-7-7 Rule of Puppy Socialization.
What is the 7-7-7 Rule?
Often discussed in different variations, the core of the 7-7-7 Rule (or sometimes "Rule of Sevens") is a framework for ensuring your puppy gets positive exposure to a wide range of stimuli during their critical socialization window, which is generally before they are 12 to 16 weeks old.
The most common interpretation focuses on the first seven days a puppy is in a new home (or during the critical socialization phase), encouraging exposure to:
7 New People
7 New Surfaces
7 New Objects
The aim is to introduce these new experiences in a safe, controlled, and positive manner to teach your puppy that the world is a wonderful, non-threatening place.
Why is this So Important?
A puppy's first few months are like an intense learning period—a "sponge" phase where their brains are soaking up information about their environment. Positive experiences during this time build confidence and adaptability, helping to prevent fear, anxiety, or reactivity later in life.
Think of it as preparing your puppy for all the weird and wonderful things they'll encounter as they grow up: from the roar of a vacuum cleaner to the sight of a person wearing a hat.
Putting the "Sevens" into Practice
Here are some easy ways to start incorporating the rule into your puppy's life, always ensuring every experience is calm and accompanied by praise and tasty treats!
7 New People
Introduce your puppy to a diverse group of friendly individuals:
Different genders and ages: Men, women, and older children (always supervised).
Varying appearances: People with glasses, hats, beards, or uniforms.
Different gaits: Someone walking with a cane or in a relaxed, friendly manner.
Remember: Keep the interactions short, positive, and never force your puppy to approach someone if they are hesitant.
7 New Surfaces
A dog who is only used to carpet or grass might be afraid to walk on a shiny tile floor or a sidewalk grating! Introduce different textures under their paws:
Carpet
Hardwood/Laminate
Tile
Concrete/Sidewalk
Grass/Dirt
Gravel/Wood chips
A blanket or towel
7 New Objects/Challenges
This helps your puppy learn that unusual objects and small obstacles are part of life and not things to panic about.
Objects: A noisy metal pan, an umbrella being opened, a large cardboard box, a plastic bottle, their new collar/harness.
Challenges: Walking up a small step, navigating a slight incline, walking around a low obstacle, investigating a soft toy with different textures.
Sounds: Gently expose them to normal household sounds like the vacuum cleaner (from a distance), the doorbell, or the TV.
Beyond the First Week
The 7-7-7 Rule is a fantastic starting point, but socialization is an ongoing journey throughout your dog's life!
Prioritize Safety: Only take your puppy to public places after your veterinarian has confirmed they have sufficient immunity from their vaccinations. In the meantime, focus on controlled exposure in your home, yard, and the homes of trusted, vaccinated friends.
Quality over Quantity: A few positive, non-overwhelming experiences are far better than one scary, high-intensity encounter. If your puppy seems scared, slow down and create distance.
Keep it Positive: Always reward calm curiosity and bravery with treats, praise, or a favorite toy.
By embracing the 7-7-7 framework, you're investing in your puppy's emotional well-being and setting them up for a lifetime of confidence and happy adventures as your beloved companion!
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
Family Photo of the Day:
Hershey!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
Share our newsletter with your friends!
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Meme of the day: @biggiepawws
