First in a helpful new pet series sponsored by Invisible dice of Birmingham.
life. This *.t119best time to start fun, short training
Puppies, like children, go through important and sessionS.**'and rules learned now will stick with
rest of his life.
predictable stages of development. Here's a short the pup for
piece on puppies which we hope will serve as a
12 to 16
guide to acquiring, training and socializing your pup-
Socializcralize, socialize. Whenever possi-
py.
ble, take your puppy with you on errands, to friends'
Puppies: Ages and Stages...Your mini puppy guide
.;
4yG
9w
Y3
Under 6 1/2 Weeks
-
Young puppies need to be with their litter mates.
This is a socially critical time for pups. If separated
before six weeks, behavorial problems such as ag-
gression and/or fearfulness toward other dogs can
develop. Do not adopt or purchase a puppy this
young, no matter how cute. If you already have a .
pup like this find a good local trainer or behavjqif!'
to help you immediately. Even if you do not see a0
problem at the moment, early training can help pre-
vent problems from developing later.
6 1/2 to 12 Weeks
-
This is the best time to
introduce your pup into
your home. While some
studies have determined
that the 49th day is the
"ideal" time to bring your
pup home, we have
found need for flexibility
in this. Some breeds, es-
pecially the giant ones,
mature a bit slower men-
tgared for by the ex-
tally. Tiny, toy puppies aro
d a few extra weeks.
perienced hawitd Mei r br
of the eighth week
With the possible
when many pu0S'experience a "fear period," any-
time during this span is fine for bringing your pup
home if the breeder is keeping up with handling, so-
training and housebreaking. If the
cializatit
breedetifillpt or will not do these things, then
get your pd' fricaween six-and-a-half arid eight weeks.
17,he single most important thing you can teach
your pup early in life is to learn how to learn. Learn-
ing about you, your lifestyle and expectations begins
the moment you pick up the pup. A pup who comes
out of this stage understanding that his behaviors,
linked to human words earn him praise, play and
treats will be much easier to train for the rest of his
145:: and on family outings. Of course, check with
for recommendations about when
it Is safe for your pup to go out. It is 100% critical
that •ur pup be exposed, carefully, to the world
period. He is forming his lifetime opin-
ie universe during this period. If his world
ion>
is limited to your kitchen and back yard, he is like-
y to be overwhelmed when he meets the rest of the
planet.
F
16 Weeks to 6 Months
g! Your pup will want to chew on every-
thi o to training and supplying plenty of chew
toys will help prevent prob-
lems. Wet and freeze a
knotted cloth or sock for a
cooling treat. Toward the
end of this period adoles-
cence begins...and that is
a subject for its own article!
Every minute you spend
educating your pup is an
investment in the quality of
life for your dog. This is the
best and most trying time of your puppy's life. En-
joying it is largely a matter of information and at-
tention.
Good luck and have fun! For detailed information
on prevention and correction of bad habits, house-
breaking, obedience commands and manners, as
well as puppy games which work for you, not against
you, see our book, "Good Owners, Great Dogs"
Brian Kilcommons is one of the country's foremost
dog trainers and the author of several widely ac-
claimed books on dog behavior and training. He is
a consultant to Tufts University School of Veterinary
Medicine and the official trainer for the PBS series
"The Gentle Doctor: Veterinary Medicine." Brian is
also the exclusive training consultant for Invisible
Fence.
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0)
O C TO B ER
She said that the interactive
nature of the Hebrew soft-
ware in particular presents
vocabulary, vowels and
other relatively difficult
subjects in a way in which
the children can grasp imme-
diately.
The key to the success of
the computer-aided program
is teacher guidance through-
out the entire process. The
computers and software, in
turn, advance the teaching
process.
Jeffrey Zeman,
10, and 11-year-old
Sarah Hutton, both
4.404A
from West Bloom-
field, agreed that
the computers
brought substantive
advantages not
available in the
classroom.
Using
the
computer, Jeffrey
advances the educational
wrote a poem about the Exo-
process by providing en-
dus for a Jewish history pro-
hanced opportunities for
ject, then illustrated it with
learning that were previously
pictures from the software
unavailable.
packages loaded on the sys-
Ms. Saar, a Hebrew teacher,
tem.
likes the way the software al-
He also has used the com-
lows each student to work at
puter
to learn Hebrew vocabu-
his own pace in developing
lary. He especially liked the
vocabulary and reading and
immediate feedback and the
writing skills. Moreover, the
ability to work at his own
whiz-bang nature of comput-
pace.
ers, so attractive to children,
Sarah also has used the Ho-
helps foster a better attitude
dari
Center for both Jewish
than is usually found in the
history and Hebrew vocabu-
classroom.
lary projects, and she thought
Ms. Hirsch teaches 4- and
the immediacy of the feed-
5-year-olds in the nursery
back was helpful.
school, as well as 9-year-olds
In subsequent columns I
in the fourth grade of the tem-
will
explore how other institu-
ple Hebrew school. Special-
tions in our community are
needs students are integrated
using technology to enhance
into both of her classrooms
Jewish learning. I welcome
and they particularly benefit
your thoughts and sugges-
from using the computer sys-
tions. EI
tems.
caust studies to a group of sev-
enth graders, the center re-
cently showed a dramatic
presentation, focusing on the
power of charismatic leaders
to influence people.
The shape of the room and
the position of the video moni-
tors, Ms. Perlman said, really
drove home the message of
the presentation.
Itzi Saar and Gayle Hirsch,
both teachers at Temple Is-
rael, agree that the technolo-
gy used at the Hodari Center
31645 Southfield Rd. • BIRMINGHAM
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