Manding, a Puppy Culture term, is like a polite way for puppy to say “I want something”.
Once a puppy can walk and bark, it doesn’t take long before they use those things to try to gain your attention. And once they can climb, they standardly add it to their mix of skills to ace out their siblings for your attention. It can be hard to ignore the cuteness of their early cries and the first howls! But most people don’t really enjoy dogs that bark for everything and jump up on people when they are excited and want the person’s attention. Enter training for good manners, and giving puppy a different voice.
When I walk up to the pen, I get down low and look at them. If a puppy is crying I eyeball it to make sure it’s not in trouble or true urgent need, and then otherwise ignore it. To the ones that are sitting and calm, I reward them with words and rubs, and maybe a quick pick up and cuddle. Every calm and sitting puppy gets attention in turn. And it’s amazing how they can wait pretty patiently for their attention at this age. Yelping, climbing, whining puppies don’t get their rubs and words until they are calm and in control; in a sense, when they are being respectful toward their litter mates and not trying to ace them out. Maya is pretty good at reinforcing their good behaviors too. She doesn’t typically reward the puppies when they are whiny or climbing.
Here’s what they looked like this morning at 3 weeks and 6 days of age:
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