Monday, June 11, 2012

Isla Explores Pennsylvania

Vinlands Isla at a lake in Tobyhanna and in Hickory Run Park.

It's important for your new Icelandic Sheepdog puppy to get out and experience as many new things as possible. Fortunately for Isla, Sally and Daniel are active and take her with them when they go places. The young minds of puppies are very receptive to new places, people and things. Treat your puppy to scavenger hunts where they can explore their environment. Be sure to take your bait bag with you and reward their curiosity. The more they learn, the more they will want to learn and the less intimidated they will be by new things.


We are so much like our dogs. When we are young we can't wait to explore, experience, and learn. Then we become teenagers and we humans often don't want to do anything with our families. That is a normal part of the aging process. It inspires us to get away from our families and that is actually a healthy thing, isn't it. Dogs go through a similar process as they age so take advantage of the early months when they will be accepting of anything new.


Fortunately most dogs and humans normally survive adolescence and emerge on the other side as healthy adults.


Be sure to allow your puppy time to rest. Their bodies and minds are actively growing and they need lots of sleep in order to develop normally. They will keep going if you do but that's probably not a good thing. 

They have a very strong innate desire to please you. Be proactive. Protect them by allowing them some down time to recover. I do not think puppies should ever run with mom or dad. They will do so but until their bodies are fully formed, it's not healthy for them to keep up with you while you jog, or, heaven forbid, ride a bike.


Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves run in spurts when they are hunting but they are not long distance runners.

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