14 MEETING THE WELFARE NEEDS OF SEIZED DOGS IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT
��� THE FIVE WELFARE NEEDS
a) Where possible, puppies and previously unhabituated dogs
must be gradually introduced to a full range of normal
sounds, including household ones, through supervised
daily exposure. The level of exposure to such sounds should
be increased very gradually to avoid causing fear. Household
sounds may occur naturally in domestic environments but for
puppies in kennels, recordings of the sounds could be played.
b) From two weeks of age, puppies should be gently examined
daily e.g. picked up, ears checked, feet handled, etc. This can
be done within the handling specified above, and should
happen before the puppy's first examination by a veterinary
surgeon or before he/she is microchipped.
c) Adult dogs should be habituated to physical examination,
general handling and grooming (see sections 3.1e and 4.2d for
further information about fearful and aggressive dogs).
3.5 Handling, training and training devices
a ) A suitable flat collar, harness or head collar should be used
to walk dogs and they must be correctly fitted and used.
FITTING A HARNESS
Harnesses must be fitted appropriately and not cause
irritation to any body parts. Head collars must also be
fitted properly so as not to cause irritation to the dog's
eyes and lips, and are best introduced gradually in a
positive way. Head collars should always be used with a
flat collar; this ensures that the dog cannot escape and
enables appropriate use of the head collar. When two
leads or a single double-ended lead are used, the dog
can be walked predominantly on the flat collar, with
pressure applied to the head collar to turn the dog
around only as required. Pressure on this lead can then
be released immediately.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIALISATION
Socialisation is a process that occurs in puppies between
three and 14 weeks of age, although this can vary with
breed. During this time they learn most readily about the
characteristics of dogs, other animals and humans they
come into contact with. It is important to maximise the
chances of each puppy developing into a well-adjusted,
happy and healthy dog by ensuring each one is provided
with adequate and appropriate opportunities for
socialisation and habituation.
A lack of opportunities for - or inappropriate - socialisation
during this period is a major risk factor for the development
of behavioural disorders later in life, in particular those
associated with fear and/or anxiety, including aggression
towards unfamiliar people. Therefore, it is very important
that kennels and seizing authorities find effective
mechanisms for ensuring puppies can be adequately
and appropriately socialised during this period, so that
they will be well socialised if they can be returned to an
owner or rehomed.
3.4 Socialisation and habituation of puppies
3.4.1 Socialisation of puppies
* For example, a reputable rehoming or animal welfare organisation. Philip Toscano/RSPCA Photolibrary
a) In addition to handling the puppies during regular husbandry
procedures, staff must ensure that they are handled regularly
on a daily basis from three weeks of age. The handling over
the following weeks should be conducted by a variety of
people of both sexes, of different ages and appearances,
especially children, and be exposed to different environments.
b) Where possible, puppies should be carefully introduced to
children before they are returned home or rehomed.
c) Where possible, at between six and eight weeks of age,
puppies should be carefully introduced to vaccinated,
healthy, calm adult dogs from outside their litter.
d) Points a to c above are more practically achieved in a
domestic setting, so wherever possible puppies should
remain at home and an undertaking used (this is a set of
conditions between the two parties outlining how the
dogs should be kept). Alternatively, the puppies should
be placed with suitable fosterers or a third-party agency*
should be used.
3.4.2 Habituation
Puppies need to get used to the many noises, objects and
activities in the environment, some of which are frightening
when first experienced.