Puppy Handling Training - Prevent Problems Early!!

Please, Please, Please prepare your puppy for all of the handling and restraint they will have to learn to be comfortable and comply with throughout their lifetime!!
One of the BIGGEST issues we hear about and help owners work with when they have an older dog is handling / restraint: dogs not allowing their nails to be done, behaving poorly or aggressively at the vets, not allowing themselves to be held or brushed, not being comfortable having certain parts of their body handled, not being good at the groomers, etc. etc.
This can ALL be avoided and you can CREATE a dog who comfortably accepts being handled, having body parts touched, being put in different positions, being examined at the vets, having their nails done and being well behaved with grooming!
We constantly stress to our puppy owning clients the drastic difference in personality and behavior that puppies who are worked with on handling and restraint from a young age and consistently as they grow and mature show as adult dogs.
Sometimes we see puppy owners get caught up in the ideology of training and raising a puppy being all about the commands, socialization and potty training.
Some of the best puppies we see develop into confident and amazing adult companions in families are those that take our advice in consistently working on handling, restraint and desensitization.
Training for obedience, exposure, bathroom training and other things are important as well, make no mistake!
Equally important and valuable though, is having a dog who allows for easy handling which will make a world of difference for you, those that work with them and your dog themselves for all your years together.
Some typical puppy behaviors we see when starting to work on handling and restraint are :
Whining / vocalization - some puppies whimper and others will let out a lot of "screaming" during a fit to get out of the situation if they don't want to be held / restrained.
Biting / mouthing - many puppies will instantly start using their little sharp teeth on the annoying hands and arms that are holding them still when they don't want to cooperate.
Squirming and struggling - twisting and wriggling all over trying to break free of your hold to go and do something more fun or not have to hold still and be held.
These and other uncooperative behaviors we see many puppies display at a young age are signs we warn puppy owners about. We can not stress the importance enough in tackling these "puppy hissy fits" head on and helping create a calm and accepting participant for handling.
We know first hand, if not worked on, these behaviors can easily develop into handling issues, outbursts and negative reactions when being restrained / examined / held and even aggressive behaviors down the road as the puppy grows and matures.
Do yourself, your puppy and all those who will help you care and provide well being for them a favor and WORK ON HANDLING AND RESTRAINT EARLY ON :) !!!