Ensuring that puppies grow up to be good-natured and well-mannered canine companions depends entirely on early socialization, handling, environmental enrichment, and basic training.

As a trainer, I receive many inquiries from dog guardians when they start to notice their adolescent or adult dog becoming more guarded and selective around unknown dogs. They ask, “What’s happened to my happy-go-lucky puppy?”

Instead of teaching our dogs that the world outside our front doors is a frenetic and crazy place, we can help our dogs become more balanced and calm as they make their way through our human world.

Not only do pups need rest, they need to actively practice down time so they become good at it.