Prepping for a pupper

A week after completing her masters in clinical animal behaviour from the UK 21yearold Amanda Tong is back in her hometown Mumbai and hosting a muchneeded workshops series mdash a puppy workshop for owners and their little ones with her new venture The Animal Behaviour Academy With small batches of four puppies the 90minute weekly classes offer ample attention to each participashynt as well as time to practise whats taugshyht at home Spread over seven weeks these classes cover everything that tobe pet parents need to know about bringing home a puppy They even have reading material and a set schedule that walks you through everything from how to pick a pup to communicating with them besides postworkshop guidanceAmanda Tong with three year old JoeyThe first session is a talk for parents only where they will be acquainted with what it takes to raise a pup including why you should meet the pup and connect before picking himher up Never rely on pictures Its always better to meet the puppy upfront for an insight into their surroundings and check for medical conditions Unfortunately social media plays a big role in influencing how people choose a dog today But its crucial to figure out how much time you can devote to your dog because even a small dog with high energy levels like a beagle requires a lot of effort and energy to raise advises TongBut even someone with a small home can adopt a dog as long as they are taken for a walk four times a day for at least half a km when they are younger and a couple of kms a day as they grow up recommends Niloufer Irani founder of animal rescue NGO Animals Matter To Me But she suggests that its best not to buy a puppy from a breeder primarily because the belief of getting a dog mated for himher to be healthier isnt true Dogs mate only to reproduce So if you have a dog its best to get them neutered as it helps prevent uterine issues and testicle cancer There are no ethical breeders which means puppies will continue to have medical issues Its advisable to adopt from a person whose dog has accidentally had puppies or to adopt an abandoned dog Irani says These include expensive breeds like huskies who are unsuitable for Mumbais humid weather Keep their coats trimmed and ensure they drink enough water and stay in a cooler part of the apartment Also give them time as you need to form a secure bond with them adds TongNiloufer Irani with her fostered huskyAnd hence pet parents bring their pups in the second week where the focus moves to obedience tactics Owners believe that just by asking their dogs to sit it works But you could use hand gestures that work better More so it also helps in case the dog loses hisher hearing at a later stage she addsThis is followed by a session on impulse training where you learn how to make your pooch feel safe and comfortable and not eat stuff lying around The fourth week focuses on leash walking to make sure walks are relaxed and calm followed by a lesson on exposure to new situations such as traffic a crucial factor in a city like Mumbai and different objects Week six will teach the pups to play games like fetch which also helps in their mental development while the last week will focus more on understanding their body language Parents and their puppers end the course with a ceremony where the pooches get a certificate And treats of courseFROM February 9 AT Mahim Details on booking CALL 9833318262 Email theanimalbehaviouracademygmailcomCost Rs 8000 for seven weeksCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates