15/08/2026
The importance of doing 'nothing'.
We breed in an off switch as best as we can, however puppies still need to be taught how to use it.
Quiet time is so fundamental in a puppies development. Learning how to be calm, quiet and relaxed is a skill.
We do this by keeping puppies close in our living room but in a puppy pen, I take toys out and will give a chewy treat when I put them in. They'll eat their treat and then have to sit with their thoughts until it's time to get out.
Screaming, jumping, barking or any other unsavoury behaviour is ignored..we don't even look their way when they do this. Once they stop then they can have attention again.
This is 10 week old Gnocchi, our Sunday mornings are loud and busy with 3 young kids and usually a cooked breakfast. The TV is on, kids are playing and the adult dogs are zipping around in and outside. Yet Gnocchi is zen, she knows she's in there for quiet time and embraces it 😊
