mydogsessence

Novel Item Week: Building Confidence and a Positive Mindset in Your Dog

What is Novel Item Week?

Every first week of the month, we invite you to join us in “Novel Item Week.” This special week is all about introducing new and interesting items into your home for your dog to explore. The goal is to help your dog develop a positive mindset, reduce their fear of new things, and build their confidence.

The Benefits of Novel Item Week

  • Positive Mindset: Regularly encountering new items helps dogs learn that new experiences can be fun, rewarding or simply uneventful.
  • Reduced Fear: By gradually exposing dogs to new things in a controlled environment, we can help them become less fearful of unfamiliar objects.
  • Increased Confidence: Successfully interacting with novel items boosts dogs’ confidence, making them more adaptable and resilient.

How to Participate in Novel Item Week

Step 1: Place a Novel Item

Place a novel item in a random spot in your home. This could be anything from a new toy to a household object your dog hasn’t seen before or just not in that place. Like a bicycle in the middle of the living room or a kitchen pot in the bathroom floor.

Step 2: Wait for Your Dog to Notice

Wait for your dog to pass by the item without an invitation. Let them discover it on their own.

Step 3: Observe Your Dog’s Reaction

  • If your dog notices the item and nothing happens: That’s awesome! Your dog is comfortable with new things.
  • If your dog sniffs the item and walks away: Great! Your dog is curious and not fearful.
  • If your dog is skeptical but eventually sniffs and is fine: Good progress! Your dog is learning to overcome their caution.
  • If your dog is too afraid to interact with the item: Don’t force them. Calmly say “all is well,” touch the item yourself, and sprinkle some delicious treats around it. Gradually move the treats closer to the item until they are on it, always giving your dog the choice to leave the room if they want. If this doesn’t work, start with an item your dog is familiar with and follow the same process, then try a novel item the next day.

Step 4: Repeat

During the first week of each month, set a novel item three times a week in different spots around your home. This consistent practice helps reinforce the benefits.

Examples of Novel Items

  • Toys: New or unfamiliar toys that your dog hasn’t played with before.
  • Household Items: Safe objects like a kitchen utensil, a hat, or a small piece of furniture.
  • Sports Items: Bicycles, tires, rackets, helmets.
  • Others: Piñatas, fans, lamps, baskets, bags.

“Here’s to More Confident Dogs! Celebrate each small step towards a more confident and happy pup.”

Share Your Experience

We would love to see what your novel items were and what your dogs reactions were! Share your stories, pictures, and videos with us on social media using the hashtag #DogNovelitem . Let’s grow our dog’s confidence together!