New Puppy Parent to a Bichon Frise

[Smriti]

Hello - My husband and I are new puppy parents to a little Bichon Frise puppy, who is now 8 weeks old (Archer). Little Archer is doing great, and my husband and I are starting to train him, and he will be going to puppy socialization classes (after his vaccines).

Question - How do we deal with puppy zoomies? They're insanely cute, but we can't seem to do anything to fully calm him once it starts. Advice please?

 

[JudyN]

How to deal with puppy zoomies? - Puppy-proof the room, and enjoy them!

Seriously though - hubby and I used to sit on the floor with Jasper as a pup and roll/throw balls back and front, playing Piggy in the Middle, as it meant that he was less likely to destroy the house or us (he was very mouthy). The difficulty is when they start getting overtired but simply can't switch off. We taught 'on your bed' and 'settle down', but of course it took quite some time for him to (a) understand what we wanted and (b) have the self-control to do it. In the meantime, try to find activities he can redirect his energies, e.g. shredding a cardboard box (with staples removed, and not if he tends to swallow the cardboard).

Be wary of socialisation classes. Socialisation isn't about meeting lots of other dogs/puppies in a free-for-all, it's about letting him get used to all sorts of situations in a calm, positive way. Note that you can also start socialisation before he's fully vaccinated: more here: Socialising your puppy

Oh, and he's very cute - we'd love to see more photos!

 

[Smriti]

Thanks Judy! This is really helpful. Yup, we've puppy-proofed the room, and we do really enjoy the zoomies, but he doesn't seem to switch off - and yes, I think we need to work better with the settle down command + guiding him to his crate/pen more. Regarding puppy socialization classes, indeed - we've got him signed up to one with a trainer and he will start classes next week (albeit on our lap because he's still not fully vaccinated).

And yes, will share more photos in due course

 

[JudyN]

Kikopup has an excellent guide to teaching a calm settle:

But do always bear in mind that your pup is an absolute baby so, as you say, it really is a matter of guiding and encouraging, and letting them set the pace.

 

[Hemlock]

I'm another who says be careful with puppy classes. Some are good, some are not, some are truly awful. I strongly suggest you go without your puppy for a few sessions to see what goes on. Ask yourself "do I want my dog to do this?" "do I want my dog to feel the way he is feeling?" and any other questions about situations that don't feel right. Above all, run a mile from any class that lets puppies "play" together in a free-for-all. If the instructor allows two carefully-chosen (size, weight, age, confidence) pups to play together under close supervision and only for a few minutes, that's much more sensible.

 

[Vetonlines]

Hi,

You’re able to lessen the degree or frequency of zoomies by increasing physical exercise (start indoors until he is fully vaccinated and can go out) or challenging your dog mentally. This is a great way of releasing some of that pent-up energy before it’s channelled into one of these random bursts of energy.

Dog zoomies are very common phenomenon and some pet owners may find the behaviour comical whilst others will find it worrying. Whatever the cause of zoomies, most dogs will outgrow them at a fairly young age. And in the meantime remember a good amount of breed-appropriate exercise and mental stimulation is a great way of contending with an overly energetic young puppy.

Hope its help
Vetonlines