Monthly Archives: April 2023

best daycare center in east brunswick nj

We Stand for Childcare Excellence

The Premium Child Care Center in East Brunswick

The Big Apple Academy is a family-operated premium day care center located in East Brunswick next to Irwin Elementary School. We welcome infants from the age of two (2) months old to kids of six (6) years to discover our fun, stimulating child care environment. Our goal is to provide a rich educational experience that will fit the individual and developmental needs of every child. A cornerstone of our program is our belief in children’s natural creativity. We know children get great pleasure from being involved in the singing, dancing, arts, and stories. Children also learn skills and gain immense self-esteem when given diverse opportunities through these activities. That’s why we encourage creativity to all the children attending our child care center.

Every parent loves to see his or her children happy. So do we!

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Our 2023 Childcare Enrollment is Now Open!

What starts in your child’s imagination comes to life in the presence of your eyes. Join hands with Big Apple Academy to enable your child to build his or her reality out of dreams.

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FEATURES OF BIG APPLE ACADEMY

EDUCATION

Your child will learn in a safe, warm and accepting environment. Our atmosphere enables children to respect themselves and others. We provide a high quality educational program, one which we are always improving. This includes English reading and writing practice, basic mathematics, learning to draw, arts and craft and singing. 

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CLASSROOMS

Our classrooms are separated into two separate sections: 1-3 years and 4-6 years in order to create an environment where the child gets to enjoy age appropriate education programs. We have separate curricula for these two age categories so that they get to focus on studies for a standard period of time every day. By being exposed to a diverse and creative classroom experiences, we enhance children’s ability to socialize with others, be creative, express themselves and develop.  

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PLAYGROUND

Play areas are important for children, giving them a space for pretending, expressing and imagining themselves. Play areas promote thinking, problem solving, and turn taking, and help children learn and develop skills in all domains. Of course, play areas are also important for developing physical dexterity and good health.

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OUR CLASSES

Our classes are carefully crafted to meet the development needs of the each and every child. Our educators and support staff are highly professional and trained. 

• City skyline

  INFANT/ BABY CARE

  Ages 2 MONTHS to 1 YEAR

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• Birthday Sparks

  TODDLER/ PRESCHOOLER CARE

  Ages 1 to 6

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• Fashion Magazine

  SUMMER CAMP

  July and August

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Highlights of Our Latest Events

OUR DAYCARE LOCATION

Our facilities provide children with everything the children need to prosper. We have brand-new outdoor play area and fully equipped and brightly lit classrooms. To view more pictures of our facility, please
visit our gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every parent has questions. So we are here to help!

• How much does child care cost per month in Big Apple Academy?

  We have the the most competitive pricing for child care in East Brunswick. We have full day and half day program and parents can choose what’s best for their child based on their schedule. 

• What are the services provided at Big Apple Academy?

  Besides the love and care, we offer the one on one attention to all the children need (especially if the child has a special need). We also provide the opportunity to parents to send external therapists to to our day care center to conduct the required therapy session of their child.

• Do you offer meals at your child care?

  We currently do not offer meals for children due to safety reasons. Plus we have children from different cultural backgrounds and it’ll provide the opportunity for the parents to send the meals that the child will enjoy the most. But we do offer snacks, bottled water and treats during special celebrations. 

• Can I celebrate my child’s special day at your day care?

  Of course YES!!! We allows parents to celebrate their child’s special day with all the friends in a healthy and safe manner. In fact, Big Apple Academy sponsors for the cake and snacks during every child’s birthday!

• Can I know a bit about your staff?

  All our staff members are NJ state certified and COVID vaccinated. We ensure that our staff is up to date with all learning techniques, which is why we make them go through monthly training. Importantly, all staff members are CPR and First Aid trained.

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ABOUT BIG APPLE ACADEMY – EAST BRUNSWICK

The Big Apple Academy was opened in middle of the pandemic (December 17,2020), which was a challenging time for everyone is general. However, we adopted changes and developed methodologies to provide online support to our kids and parents. Also, we made sure that we strengthen our hygiene plan to safeguard the children and the staff. All our staff members are state certified and vaccinated against COVID. That’s why the parents had no doubt in sending their kids back to the Big Apple Academy once we re-opened due to the trust and bond we had built with them.

The Director of The Big Apple Academy in Ms. Johanna Guaman. She has been in the child care industry for over 10 years. Every one of our staff members is a trained professional with a deep passion for child development and education. We ensure to always have our staff up to date with all learning techniques, which is why we take monthly training.

All staff are CPR & First Aid trained. Few of our staff members have specialized training defense and security to ensure the safety of our children in an unforeseen situation.

Our Classes

Emy Johnson

Director

Christina Doe

Teacher

Aurelie Hansen

Teacher

Stephane Perry

Director

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Learning is natural

Young children have lively minds from the start. We strive to make the most of this natural quality by enabling them to experience, investigate, care about others, interact, develop and create. We strive to deepen and strengthen children’s natural abilities by providing them with the healthiest environment possible.

OUR MANAGEMENT

The Big Apple Academy is family operated daycare center in East Brunswick and our core goal is to provide a family-like environment to all our children. All our Management are a part of of the core-staff. They are educated, experienced and well-trained for not only to provide childcare, but also for safety and first-aid. To explore more about our services, please the
classes section.

OUR CHILDCARE FACILITY

Our facilities provide children with everything the children need to prosper. We have brand-new outdoor play area combined with nature where they can enjoy the greenery and music of birds. We also have a fully equipped and brightly lit classrooms. To view more pictures of our facility, please
visit our gallery.

Call Us Today

Classes

Infant/ Baby Care

Toddler/ Preschooler Care

Summer Camp

Our Location

162 Summerhill Rd, East Brunswick, NJ, 08816, United States

Get in touch

[email protected]

(732) 432-0760

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Post-apocalypse in New Jersey – Russian Top

The capital of the US state of New Jersey, the city of Trenton, looks like after the apocalypse. Abandoned buildings, closed shops, graffiti, criminals and the mentally ill on the streets … The asphalt on the roads, however, although patched, is quite even in appearance.

In the comments, people write that things are even worse in other cities. It’s the state capital after all!

Please note that on Saturday at 10 am there are no people on the streets, and there are almost no cars. In the state capital. Why so? But a friend from there writes:

I’m from Trenton. It is dangerous to be in the center in the evening, it is safe only during working hours during the day, when all state enterprises are working: courts, tax, all state. departments, etc. No one really lives in the city center. The nearby streets are drugs. The farther from the center in any direction, the better. Ours live on Brunswick Avenue. This is a destination point for new emigrants from Eastern Europe. Now for several years no one goes to the country. Therefore, our Brunswick Avenue is populated more and more by Mexicans and Negroes. The once flourishing city since 19The 60s of the last century has turned into what you see on the screen. This is a dangerous city.

But this city is not the only one in the US. Drive into Camden and you’ll be out of there in a couple of minutes. Trenton is nothing compared to Camden, you can live. By the way. I will add. There is a Mill Hill district right next to the court. It’s a couple of streets with beautiful architecture and the area is watched over by residents. Mostly whites live there, oddly enough. And there it is, guess what? – The Russian Orthodox Church, which is not subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Trenton has a rich history. It used to be called Trent Town. The entire territory of today’s city once belonged to Mr. Trent, a local merchant. He traded products that he transported by water canal from Philadelphia. This channel still exists. There is also a Washington Monument. There is a free state museum, where there is a little bit of everything: from exhibitions with illustrations of Indian life to halls with contemporary art compositions. Trenton even has its own theater! And it’s incredibly beautiful there.

“Trenton even has its own theater!” – that’s how it is, there is even a theater. Cultural capital, no less. And in the Conservatory they store canned food.

On the question of the reasons for the degradation of the modern United States – degradation is inevitable when it becomes more profitable for citizens in half of the country not to work, but to live on benefits.

Social transfers for a family of four exceed the median national household income in 24 states and are above $100,000 a year in Washington, Massachusetts and New Jersey, according to a new US study. Many pandemic-related unemployment benefits have expired, but existing programs, combined with the recent expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” continue to offer significant incentives for the unemployed.

A study by the Committee for the Promotion of Prosperity (CTUP) and economists Arthur Laffer and Steve Moore found that many high-paying jobs pay less than what the government offers in aid. In 14 states, electricians, teachers, construction workers, firefighters and truckers earn less than the combined federal and state benefits.

Washington State holds the record for the most generous benefit system, where a family of four with two non-working parents can earn $122,653 a year. This puts the earnings of unemployed Washingtonians well above the median national household income of $70,784, according to the 2021 U.S. Census.

Being unemployed also has its tax advantages. “Unemployment benefits have at least one tax advantage in all states: they are not taxed, unlike wages,” the CTUP report notes. Six states—Alabama, California, Montana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia—are also exempt from state income tax. “These factors further tilt the balance between work and social security in favor of not working,” the report says.

In general, the similarities between the USA and the late USSR are becoming more and more striking. But, of course, there are some nuances. In late Soviet times, our people suffered and died en masse from alcohol, while in the United States they are now dying from opioids. The problem is already so serious that it is noticeably dragging down the average life expectancy of Americans:

Life expectancy in the US has fallen to a 25-year low. The US Centers for Disease Control shares disappointing statistics. American life expectancy continues to decline rapidly. She dropped from 79years in 2019 to 76 years in 2021. This is the lowest level since 1996 – and the sharpest drop in modern US history.

America’s life expectancy dropped from about 50th to 70th place in the world in two years. The US is now on par with Malaysia – and behind Poland, Peru, Morocco or China.

The main factor here was the pandemic. In two covid years, the total deaths from the pandemic in the United States amounted to 1.1 million people. In addition, amid the pandemic, the birth rate has plummeted. Now the US birth rate of 1. 6 children per woman is well below replacement level. The American population is still growing – but only due to migration.

The opioid crisis was another reason for the fall in life expectancy. In 2021, a record 100,000 Americans died from an overdose of opiates – primarily fentanyl – in the United States. This is twice as much as US losses in Vietnam. Over the past 10 years, the number of Americans who have died from drug overdose has jumped by almost 3 times – and continues to grow rapidly.

Here they are, cap’s dreams come true – to get paid for not working, getting high on tasty substances and dying with glitches. America practically built communism!

But seriously, the printing press hit the US economy with its reverse side. For work has become less efficient than sitting on virtual cash flows. I call this process reversal.

Do you know that a typical Wuhanian can be deceived, on average, up to 600 times a day with the phrase: “Look, Russia is falling apart”?

And for dessert – New York!

When the coronavirus pandemic first hit New York and its streets were empty, and then, when the BLM protest epidemic swept the metropolis and the same streets were filled with angry crowds, optimists persuaded both realists and pessimists: “You just need to endure. ” The infection will recede. Will strengthen immunity. However, over the past two years, the disease has reached the very core of the Big Apple. Manhattan is now a hotbed of social ill-being in the largest US city.

Homeless tents on the Upper East Side two blocks from Park Avenue – when it’s cold. When it’s warm, there are gangs of juvenile robbers on scooters, taking bags from gaping tourists and taking away their gadgets right in front of the entrance to Central Park. Shooting in broad daylight in the always crowded Times Square. Chilling details of the attacks of the mentally ill in the subway, pushing passengers on the way in no way and in no way hurt them. And much more. The nightmare of two mayors of New York who spent two decades trying to put things in order (we are talking about Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg) is coming true through the efforts of their followers. First Democrat Bill de Blasio, and now Democrat Eric Adams.

The cauldron of New York trouble really kicked in on January 1, 2020, when the Criminal Justice Act was passed, removing bail for most misdemeanors as well as non-violent crimes, including robbery. Only three states in the United States have decided on such a drastic measure: California, New Jersey and New York. Each of them is now reaping the rewards of the highest penal liberalization in American history.

Why is New York called the Big Apple?

“Go ahead, bite the Big Apple. Don’t mind the maggots.”

– The Rolling Stones, “Shattered ”

John Lennon said: “I regret profoundly that I was not an American and not born in Greenwich Village. It might be dying, and there might be a lot of dirt in the air you breathe, but this is where it’s happening” (I deeply regret that I am not an American and was not born in Greenwich Village. Perhaps he dies and there is a lot of dirt in its air, but this is exactly the place where everything happens). New York is a huge cauldron full of weird, loud, crazy and incredibly eccentric people with no complexes who don’t care what you think of them. New York is the smell of pizza and trash, bagels, the Statue of Liberty, Fifth Avenue, Broadway, Woody Allen, Central Park and Times Square. This is a city that is easier to hate than to love. But one thing is for sure – it is definitely not boring to live in it.

New York’s most famous nickname is “The Big Apple” ( The Big Apple ). The history of the origin of this name is not simple (after all, nothing is simple in New York), and there are a lot of theories. Some attribute the name to Depression-era apple vendors, a Harlem nightclub, and the popular dance of the 1930s known as the “ Big Apple .” Others claim that the first tree planted by the settlers at this location was an apple tree. Hence the connection with the apple.

The first written mention of the term “ Big Apple ” can be found in the book “ The Wayfarer in New York ” (1909) by Edward C. Martin: “ Kansas is apt to see in New York a greedy city…. It inclines to think that the big apple gets a disproportionate share of the national sap ” Here the opinions of scientists are divided, but, in general, almost everyone believes that it does not roll as a parent.

According to research conducted by Barry Popik and Gerald Cohen, the nickname “ Big Apple ” originated and spread in the 1920s thanks to the sports columnist “ New York Morning Telegraph ” John Fitzgerald. He heard this appeal to New York in New Orleans at the races: horses love apples, and racing in New York, according to the jockeys, is “a big apple.” In his column “Around the Big Apple” ( Around the Big Apple ) he wrote:

The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There’s only one Big Apple. That’s New York.

Two dusky stable hands were leading a pair of thoroughbred around the “cooling rings” of adjoining stables at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and engaging in desultory conversation.

“Where y’all goin’ from here?” queried one.

“From here we’re headin’ for The Big Apple,” proudly replied the other.

“Well, you’d better fatten up them skinners or all you’ll get from the apple will be the core.”

(Big Apple. The dream of anyone who has ever thrown a leg over the back of a thoroughbred riding horse, and the goal of all riders. There is only one Big Apple. This is New York.

Two swarthy stable workers were leading a pair of horses through the “cooling rings” of adjoining stables at the Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans, talking incoherently.

“Where are you next?” one asked.

“From here we will go to the Big Apple,” proudly answered the second.

“Then you’d better fatten those skinny ones, otherwise all you get from an apple will be a core.”)

In the 30s and 40s, the term “Big Apple” was closely associated with the jazz scene, and then completely forgotten until the 1970s. Then the New York City Bureau of Tourism organized an advertising campaign “I? NY” to popularize the term. Souvenirs, T-shirts, magnets, bags, ashtrays, etc. with the Big Apple logo began to be produced. At 19In 1997, the corner of West 54th Street and Broadway, next to the hotel where John Fitzgerald ended his days in complete poverty, was named Big Apple Corner by official decree of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, although it is possible that one of the streets near the old office of Telegraph , where Fitzgerald worked, would have been a happier place for that.

Since then, many other nicknames for New York City have arisen, notably Big Rotten Apple or simply Rotten Apple because of the anger and depression of the people of this city, crime, drug addiction, prostitution and so on.

The following idiom is associated with New York:

in a New York minute – very fast, instantly

I would sell that car in a New York minute if the right offer came along.

(I would sell this car at once if the right offer came up)

And finally, a few examples of New York slang. New York slang is very diverse. You need to write a separate article about this … or immediately a book.

mad (Bronx) – very

Chris Rock was mad funny last night.

(Chris Rock was very funny last night)

I’m mad hungry.

(I am very hungry)

son (Brooklyn) – address to a stranger

Hey, son, why don’t you park somewhere else?

(Hey son, why don’t you park somewhere else?)

schlock is an adjective describing in general something cheap and of poor quality (rubbish, junk). Used, for example, to describe souvenirs that tourists buy in New York. The item that is schlock is tchotchke (tsatska, cheap thing, trinket).

I’m walking here! (Dustin Hoffman’s “Midnight Cowboy” line, spoken in a creepy Brooklyn accent when the taxi driver nearly hits him) – “Hey, can’t you see – I’m coming.

Home – Simply Giggle Childcare

Simply Giggle started in the home of Angela Norvold in 2006 as Simplyfirst Preschool. With a play based nature philosophy they grew quickly, and added The Cottage ( a home center next door to Angela’s home) for infants and toddlers. In 2012 the Norvold’s purchased The Giggle Factory. Angela kept the family childcare centers in her home and took the children on many nature and hands on excursions. They enjoyed exploring the St. Croix River, Lakefront Park, and Downtown Hudson. Angela spoke at early childhood conferences, wrote articles on nature and play based learning, and enjoyed guiding numerous student teachers along the way.
In 2016 demand required opening a larger childcare center in The Giggle Factory (an indoor playground)! The center was built with a home feeling; family style meals, large indoor/ outdoor activity area, and classrooms that model rooms in homes. Hudson Giggle has a community Montessori 4k adjacent to the center partnered with the Hudson School District. The Giggle Montessori fosters independence, confidence, and learning at the speed of the individual child.    Spring of 2022, Simply Little was formed (Previously Little Leaps , across the street from ALDI). Simply Little has the same at home and large family feel. Simply Little will focus on infant and toddler care a as we see the need for the community.  All the centers have play based learning, nature explorations, and developmentally appropriate child lead curriculum. 

Tell me more

Play based hands on learning experience 

We strive to encourage independence, hands on learning, in a child directed environment that fosters learning and social skills for life.
All through PLAY!
 2 locations in Hudson, Wisconsin

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Ages 6 weeks-12 years

Now Enrolling!  

Email
[email protected]
For information about infant care, toddler care, preschool 
 or Montessori 4k! 

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Gallery

Child centered environment to encourage creativity and independence.  

Our Amazing Administration Team

We are the planners, trainers, and support for all our amazing teachers! 

We add fun, smiles, encouragement, and confidence to every child’s day through positive guidance, developmentally appropriate activities and PLAY!

Angela Norvold

Owner
Director
Administrator
Teacher

 [email protected]

Brooke Damsgard

Giggle Director & Lead Toddler Teacher

 [email protected]

Colleen McCarthy Veilleux

Montessori Guide

[email protected] 

Brooke Jennings

Assistant Director Lead infant teacher 

[email protected]

Taylor Borgeson

Simply Little Director

[email protected]

Shayla Larson

Simply Little Assistant Director

YMCA Part-Day Preschool & 4K Program In Hudson WI

Ages & adult-to-child ratios

Preschool

33 months to 4 years
Part-day program

1:10

Meet the directors

Katherine Jury

Preschool Program Director

(651) 259-6167

Katherine is a graduate of Minnesota State University–Mankato in Elementary Education. She joined the Y in 2006 and lead the Eagan YMCA Preschool program from 2012 – 2018. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors, at sporting events and trying new restaurants with friends and family.

Katherine’s favorite thing about her day is hearing the students say, “Good morning!” and watching the teachers and children interact with each other. She is dedicated to the YMCA ECLC children and an advocate for early childhood education.

Curriculum & Philosophy

We use the Creative Curriculum® to develop age-appropriate experiences that foster joyful learning. For each child, we address individual needs, build skills for success and incorporate STEM activities. Pairing our curriculum with the YMCA Healthy Kids Initiative, we also provide exposure to healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity for children and their families. 

Curriculum detailsPhilosophy details

On-site amenities

• Kids’ gym
• Outdoor garden
• Playfield
• Playground
• Smart whiteboards
• Swimming pool

Enrichment Programs

Learning at Hudson YMCA Preschool, 4K and Extended Day programs lets your child express themselves and engage in social activities that get them ready to enter kindergarten.

• Kids’ Fitness
• Language–Spanish and American Sign
• Music and Movement
• Multicultural Studies
• Cooking

About Part-Day Preschool

Our Part-day Preschool program prepares kids for school success and utilizes the same research based curriculum found in our full-day care and education programs. Graduating preschoolers meet or exceed school district standards. Part-day Preschool can be extended by adding our Extended Day program. To register, download registration packet forms below.

Registration Information for Part-day Preschool

• School Year 2022-2023 Calendar
• School Year 2023-2024 Calendar

Forms & Paperwork

• Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Form
• Licensing Paperwork
• Parent Handbook
• Welcome Letter
• Preschool Supply List
• Transportation Form

Parent Referral Program

If you love your Early Childhood Learning experience, spread the word and get rewarded!

It’s easy to make a referral.

Preschool & Pre-K – Home Again Early Childhood Education Center

Preschool

What is Preschool?
​
Preschool is a program that precedes Pre-Kindergarten. Our Preschool program is designed generally for children 3 to 4 years of age. Our classroom is set up according to centers and with lots of open areas for them to play and explore. We also play and explore outside on our playground designed just for children their age. Teachers help guide students with structured activities as well as free play. We work on developing skills such as: pre-literacy (letter recognition, name recognition) and pre-math (noticing simple patterns and sorting) while learning how to work with their peers. 

​My name is McKenzie, but you can call me Kenzie. I am have been married for seven years and have 2 daughters and a son. I enjoy reading in my spare time, traveling, cooking, spending time with my family and friends, and helping train our German Shepherds. I have been an employee at Home Again since August of 2012. I received my Certificate in Early Childhood Education as well as my Associates in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education in the summer of 2013 from Kellogg Community College. I enjoy sharing everyday experiences with the children and watching them grow. 

Miss Kenzie

Pre-K

Welcome Pre-K Families!
Pre-K is a program designed to prepare students ready for Kindergarten, with the general age range at 4-5 years old. The program involves routine, sensory activities, fine/gross motor exercises, language, writing,  pencil grip, early mathematics, science/social studies exploration, and a more structured classroom environment to allow children an easy transition into their elementary school years. With hands-on learning, exploration of different subjects, and real-life applications, the children will learn to be independent and find excitement in learning. With the structured environment, there is always time for play. Play is an integral piece of a child’s development as it encourages the children to learn how to work with others, practice different muscle groups, and the start of print and phonemic awareness.
​

Hello and welcome to my Pre-K class! I am very excited to get to know you and your child. my name is Kassaundra Green, but I go by Miss Kassi. I am currently 27 years old, engaged, and a mother of four. I have two daughters, ages 8 and 9, my oldest son is 3 and our youngest will be 2 in  December 2022. During my free time I enjoy spending my moments with my family, cleaning, collecting coffee mugs, and tattooing. I received my Associates degree in early childhood education from Kellogg Community College in 2020. I also currently attend Western Michigan University full  time, as I am pursuing my degree in Family and Child Development. About 9 years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to work at my first day care facility, and I completely fell in love with Early Childhood Education. I had known my entire life that I had wanted to be a teacher, and when I was granted that opportunity to be a teacher in a center, I developed a love for preschool children and their right to proper education. I am honored to be a part of Home Again staff and your Childs future.

Miss Kassi

Home Again Child Dev Center

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About the Provider

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse And…

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Little Sunshine’s Playhouse And Preschool – Colorado Springs CO Child Care Center

Description: HOME AGAIN CHILD DEV CENTER is a CHILD CARE CENTER in Richland MI, with a maximum capacity of 100 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 0 to 144 months . The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.

Program and Licensing Details

• License Number:
  DC390093004
• Capacity:
  100
• Age Range:
  0 to 144 months
• Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program:
  No
• Type of Care:
  Full Day Program. Before/after school, Food service, Infant/toddler, Preschool, School age
• Current License Issue Date:
  Mar 29, 2021
• Current License Expiration Date:
  Mar 28, 2023

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but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns,
as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.

If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.

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Home again! – Russian Football Union

22:28, October 10, 2014

On Friday, October 10, the Russian national team flew from Stockholm to Moscow, where they will prepare for the qualifying match against the Moldovan team. The fight will take place on Sunday, October 12, at the Otkritie Arena stadium, starting at 20:00.

Having landed at the Sheremetyevo airport, the bus with the players of the national team stopped at the hotel for a short time, after which it went straight to the Khimki Arena stadium. True, only those players who did not take part in the match with Sweden or came on as a substitute went on board to Khimki. The training started with a noticeable delay: Friday traffic jams lengthened the travel time by at least a good half hour. The journalists, in turn, patiently waited for the session to begin, and as compensation, the session was declared fully open to the press.

While the Russian national team was jostling in traffic jams, media representatives had something to discuss from topical issues. The inaccurate translation of the post-match press conference in the Swedish newspaper Expressen almost led to a scandal. According to the publication, the head coach of the Russian national team Fabio Capello said he was dissatisfied with the actions of one player. Meanwhile, Capello, answering a question about the reasons for the stormy emotions on the edge, said the following: “I can’t be satisfied when the players are wrong. Some players allowed marriage. But for the most part, I liked the way the team played,” Capello said. It is worth adding that Expressen is considered in Sweden a tabloid publication specializing in sensationalism. In addition, at the post-match press conference, in which Capello took part, there were about thirty representatives of the media (including Russian), and no one, except for the Swedish publication, interpreted Capello’s words in this way.

Back to training. 12 outfield players worked under the guidance of Christian Panucci, while the goalkeepers warmed up with might and main with Sergey Ovchinnikov. Having warmed up well and worked with the ball, the players divided into two teams and took part in a two-sided game. As a result, the lesson lasted no more than an hour, which is not surprising, given the long road from Sweden and the game the day before.
After training, Vladimir Granat and Maxim Grigoriev were delegated to answer to the press. Recall that both players were not included in the starting lineup, but came on as a substitute in the second half.

Vladimir Granat:

– We expected more. It was clear from the game that we could have won, but, unfortunately, we could not win. Nevertheless, a draw is a worthy result on the opponent’s field. I went out for a short time, helped the team as best I could. Now we are preparing for Moldova. I don’t think you should underestimate your opponent. We just need to play to our strength, as we can.

Maxim Grigoriev:

– We expected to win and should have won. I’m not happy with the result. He came on as a substitute, but spent too little time on the field to say anything. In order to beat Moldova, you need to add a conversion of chances. You need to make fewer mistakes. Add in speed and you’ll be fine!

Home again

A graduate of an orphanage managed to get back the housing that was taken from him by a scammer, thanks to two caring people – a neighbor and . .. a prosecutor

Graduates of state institutions quite rarely immediately acquire their own housing. Often they stand in line for a long time to receive apartments from the state fund and, in anticipation of the cherished meters, wander around rented apartments, houses, and more often dachas.

The boy from Ust-Kamenogorsk, about whom our newspaper wrote (see “Neighbor to neighbor – strife”, “Vremya” from 14.7.2022), one might say, was lucky. When he graduated from the Youth House, he bought a room in a hostel on Nazarbayev Avenue with the money accumulated from allowances with the help of the institution’s employees. The teachers asked the neighbors to look after their former ward, who has a slight mental retardation and, for this reason, an indefinite disability. A 27-year-old neighbor named Gulparshyn realized that it was a sin not to take advantage of the situation. The orphanage has no relatives, there is no one to intercede. The woman teamed up with her acquaintance named Adlet. The police, by the way, never found this man. Or maybe they weren’t looking.

This same Adlet, having assumed the role of a bailiff, together with Gulparshyn showed up at the newcomer and began to put pressure on him: they say you owe three million on a loan, and the apartment will be arrested.

Then, having arrived at the notary, they issued a power of attorney for Gulparshyn to order a room in a hostel. Soon, Madame sold the room for 3,200,000 tenge under a donation agreement. The money was shared with Adlet. In addition, she also withdrew 114 thousand tenge from the young man’s bank card. But Gulparshyn still “took care” of her neighbor, who, through her fault, was left without a roof over her head and a livelihood: she, according to her, asked her uncle to take the guy under her wing. And the story with this uncle is very strange. But more about him below.

In the same month, when scammers pulled off a scam with someone else’s room and the orphanage disappeared, another of his hostel neighbors sounded the alarm. He works on a rotational basis, and when he returned from another business trip, he noticed that the guy was not there. I began to take an interest in the residents and realized that something was not clean here. The man reported to the police.

The orphanage was found, sent for a medical examination and hospitalized in a mental health center. The guy, for health reasons, did not participate in investigative actions and court proceedings, therefore, according to his words, a representative, an employee of a medical institution, gave testimony.

So, the orphanage resident told the doctors that after going to the notary he was sent to Gulparshyn’s relatives in Ayagoz, where he lived and worked for free. Then some man took him back to Ust-Kamenogorsk. In the regional center, he lived “with some old man,” and then a district police inspector came for him. Gulparshyn herself said that this same old man was her uncle, who was going to take the orphanage with him to Shymkent.. .

In June last year, the court found Gulparshyn guilty of fraud and theft and sentenced her to three and a half years of restriction of liberty.

Fortunately for the orphanage resident, the legal proceedings did not end there. In his interests, the prosecutor of Ust-Kamenogorsk filed a lawsuit with the court. He asked to recognize the donation agreement concluded between Gulparshyn and a certain Aslan, who as a result got the room, is invalid. Since a deal aimed at achieving a criminal goal is void. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff.

And now it’s time to sue Gulparshyn, the homebuyer. The failed newcomer decided to recover from the cunning madam 3,170,000 tenge, which he gave for the room under a donation agreement, and as proof of the transfer of money he brought a crushing argument: this moment was seen by a cleaning lady who washed the floors at the notary.

The man also tried to convince the court that he developed psoriasis due to nerves, and also counted on compensation for moral damage in the amount of 2 million tenge.

8 Tips for Raising the Perfect Puppy

The second you looked at your little fur ball, you were smitten. But while your new puppy may be all licks and cuddles now, it takes work to turn that bundle of love into a perfect pooch. You’ll need to train it, giving it the tools needed to successfully interact with people and other animals throughout its life. Here’s how to give your pooch a great start.

1. Give Your Puppy Some Time

According to veterinary behaviorist Meredith Stepita, DVM, DACBV of UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, puppies should not be weaned away from their moms and litter mates until they are eight weeks old. During these first few weeks your puppy needs food, love and affection from its mother. It will be busy learning to play and acquiring social skills from siblings. Litter mates teach each other not to bite or to roughhouse too strenuously, as well as frustration tolerance. This is also a time when your puppy will be getting used to different people and learning about pack dominance. These lessons will continue in your home.

2. Welcome Puppy Home

The first few days together are exciting, with everyone getting to know each other and having a good time. Interactions may feel like fun and games, but your puppy is busy learning what to do and what not to do, whether you realize you’re teaching him or not. If you’ve taken a very young puppy into your home, it will fell vulnerable, crave security, safety and a routine, as well as love.

3. Get a Crate

Your puppy’s crate is a place of security, comfort and quiet. The crate should never be used for time outs; rather it’s a place of solitude and safety. The crate will also help to keep your home safe from puppy-created mayhem. Puppies younger than six months old should not be crated for more than two or three hours, except at night.”Crates help with house training. Even young puppies don’t like to soil their sleeping space,” says Laura Garber CPDT-KA, dog trainer and owner of WoofGang Dog Training. A key element to crating success, says Garber, is the crate’s size. If it’s too big, your puppy will learn to relieve himself on one side of the crate and sleep on the other. To small and he may feel cramped.Not only is the size of the crate important, but so is your puppy’s acclimation. Garber suggests tossing treats into the crate to help your puppy associate it with rewards. Accompany this behavior with a command, such as “In!” or “Kennel Up!” Puppies can comprehend simple commands as early as five weeks old.

4. Potty Train Your Pooch

Realistic expectations and calmness are key elements to early house training, says Alexandra Allred, a dog trainer and author of “Teaching Basic Obedience.” Your diligence is also key. The more time you spend with your puppy, the better able you will be to praise and reward it when it eliminates in the appropriate place.Sound like a responsibility? It is. Your puppy wishes to please you, but don’t try to reason with him as if he’s a furry, four-legged person,” Allred says. “This is unfair because dogs don’t process information the way humans do.”

Scheduling regular feedings, as well as potty breaks, will help him learn this behavior more quickly. Never punish your puppy for accidents.

5. Teach Good Citizenship

“The first 16 weeks of your dog’s life are a sensitive learning period, when socialization skills can be acquired in earnest,” Garber says. “This is the time to get your puppy used to people of all shapes and sizes as well as other animals, such as cats and dogs.”

She suggests carrying treats around with you to give to people who will then give them to your puppy. This helps to associate good things with all kinds of individuals and avoids your dog from becoming aggressive.

6. Combat Resource Guarding

Puppies may become territorial about their food bowls, toys or favorite people. Working with your puppy to eliminate even mild resource guarding behaviors will protect everyone, puppy included. When your puppy is little, train it to associate you and other family members with good things when you approach the guarded object. This is typically accomplished by supplying him with treats as you approach. Always make sure children show caution when nearing your puppy’s food or favorite toy.

7. Encourage Bite Inhibition

Teaching puppies not to bite is one of the most important lessons. “Behavioral problems such as biting are the No. 1 reason why animals are relinquished to shelters or put down,” says Dr. Stepita.

Establishing your place as pack leader will help your puppy remember that he must earn your respect and obey you, which will help him to curb this behavior.

“Remember that your dog craves your approval but also needs your guidance,” adds Allred. “If he bites, say ‘no!’ Then, hold his mouth closed for about a minute,” she suggests.

8. Provide Plenty of Exercise

New experiences are important for puppy development. Help stimulate your puppy’s mind with puzzle toys and appropriate playthings, as well as giving your puppy plenty of outdoor exercise. Bored dogs are more likely to engage in aggressive or inappropriate behaviors.

It’s important that your dog learn his place is in your home, but this can only be accomplished with consistency and a firm, loving hand. Only then will your puppy grow and learn to be the very best dog possible.

Text source: Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York.

Top Tips on Puppy Raising from the Experts (Guide)

Common questions about caring for puppies answered by the experts.

By Zazie Todd, PhD 

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Puppies are so cute! It must be wonderful to have one, right? But it can also be exhausting. And the need to socialize your puppy can feel like a big responsibility.

We know that once people have had a puppy before, they typically do a better job of the socialization and training. They’ve learned from their earlier experience.

But what if this is the first time you’ve got a puppy? It’s very common to have questions about the best things to do to socialize and train your puppy. And let’s face it, even an experienced puppy guardian can have questions.

I asked some of North America’s top experts for their tips for new puppy parents. Check out these questions and answers for ways to raise your puppy game. And share with friends and family too. 

I’m getting advice from all my friends and family and can’t figure out what’s the best way to punish my new puppy?

Answered by Tim Steele, Behavior Matters Academy (Twitter, Facebook).

I remember when I got my tiny little bundle of energy who bit me, ran away when I called, and pooped in the living room while looking right at me. 

Sometimes I laughed. Sometimes I wondered what I’d gotten myself into. And sometimes I was downright angry. 

So, I read all the books my library carried. And some of them told me to punish her with some pretty forceful methods. And I did it. But I didn’t like the results – she seemed less trusting of my hands which sometimes meant cuddles and sometimes meant that something scary was going to happen. 

So, I did more reading and learned better ways. What I learned is what I try to do now with every dog I’m working with: Teach them what you want them to do and don’t worry too much about the less-preferred behaviors. Dogs do what works to produce a consequence they want (like a yummy treat) and they’ll stop doing things that don’t produce a desired outcome. 

So, if we teach them that pooping outside gets them a treat, they’ll start pooping outside and not inside. If we teach them that coming to us results in a big payout of something especially tasty, they’ll learn to come reliably. If we give them a legal outlet for chewing and make it fun, they’ll play with toys instead of our hands. 

No, it won’t be perfect and yes, it will take lots of repetitions for some things. For those moments when you can’t take it anymore, gently place them in a crate if they are crate trained or perhaps a playpen if they’re more comfortable there. 

Nothing is more important than making sure your puppy sees you as the source of good things, fun, and safety. You’ll have the rest of their lives to teach them behaviors but your first months are key to establishing your relationship. Make the most of that time.

My puppy seems to just lose her mind a couple of times a day. She zooms and bites, and barks and I don’t know what to do!

Answered by Linda Green, Green Dogs Training.

Dogs are crepuscular creatures (more active at dusk and dawn), and puppies generally have at least a couple of periods of really active, intense play every day that coincide with these times of day. This is normal puppy behavior, even if it seems that your puppy has temporarily lost her mind and is unreachable. As your puppy grows into adolescence, these frenetic periods tend to decrease in frequency and intensity. 

Rather than try to settle your puppy down during these periods (which likely won’t work and will be frustrating for both of you), try rearranging your schedule a bit to accommodate your puppy’s need to zoom. The good news is that even 10 minutes of focused, dedicated activities with your pup at these times of day can often fulfill your puppy’s activity needs at those moments and channel the out-of control behaviors that tend to present at these two times of day in particular.

Rearranging your schedule can be difficult if you also have human puppies. This frenetic time seems to overlap in both species! Ask for help if you can, and remember that your pup will mature out of this fairly quickly. 

If possible, try to set up your puppy’s morning and late afternoon routine to fulfill her needs and to give her a predictable structure to allow her to blow off steam and then enjoy some quieter independent enrichment while you take care of other familial responsibilities. Routine is really important for puppies.

Most younger puppies get up in the early morning and need to go out to relieve themselves immediately. Then they are ready to rumble, and they are also hungry. They are not going to let you go back to bed for another 15 minutes of snoozing after they potty. 

This is a great time to toss toys, play chase, take a sniffari or a morning walk, play tug or use a flirt pole with your pup for 10 to 15 minutes. After they have gotten some of their energy out, you can feed their breakfast in a food-dispensing puzzle toy, and take them out for another potty break. After burning off some energy and filling their tummies, most pups are receptive to a nap or some quiet time in their crate with a delicious chew object, giving you time to shower and dress, get the kids up and breakfasted, laundry done, or otherwise get the human half of the household ready for the day.

Problems arise when the human half of the team gets the pup up and out for a potty break, and then tries to multitask (or cuddle with you while you go back to bed). Pups have recharged their batteries for 8 to 12 hours during the night and they NEED to expend that energy! Guide them here or they will invent fun games that humans tend not to enjoy so much!

The second frenetic period in the day usually coincides with early evening/dinner time for families; somewhere between 4 and 6 pm. I often refer to this as the ‘witching hour’ because both canine and human young can be really intense about this time of day. If you have come home tired from work and want to chill for a bit, you are likely going to find yourself at odds with your pup, who may have been snoozing for hours and is ready for action.

Some structured and interactive play, sniffing and nosework games, a training session, game of chase, tug, flirt, or a good off-leash play session with other dogs or humans in the late afternoon/early evening will help your pup channel that over-the-top energy into positive and non-destructive areas, and help you build your bond with your pup. If your pup is social, dog-dog play is one of the best ways for your pup to spend that energy, tiring her out physically, mentally and emotionally.

On days when you are too tired or don’t have the time, look into a good doggy daycare or dog walker to help your pup channel that excess energy in positive ways, allowing both of you to relax and chill on the sofa on those long work days. 

Chewing is highly engaging and relaxing for most dogs, so if you really need your pup to settle during a frenetic period, a high-value chew like a bully stick or stuffed Kong can deflect the zoomies temporarily while you take that unplanned Zoom call. But dogs NEED to move, chase and play, so try to program times in your day to allow your dog to be a dog and do her version of Zoom!

Help! I’m not getting any sleep. What do I do?

Answered by K. Holden Svirsky (Instagram)

Puppyhood is exhausting. My sleeping and eating patterns changed significantly when I brought home my puppy, funnily enough named ZZ. I got way fewer “Zs” and I swear, I used to actually plan and cook meals other than macaroni & cheese! 

While most people understand and expect to be losing sleep with a new, human baby in the home, we don’t think about how the same caretaking rituals and sacrifices are required for baby dogs. And most jobs don’t give pup-ternity leave!

The good news is that puppyhood is much, much shorter than childhood. Even if it feels like it will never happen, you will eventually get back to a more normal routine.

To get there as efficiently as possible, do the following:

Write down exactly what your puppy’s schedule is today. For every hour of a 24 hour cycle, write down whether your puppy is awake or asleep. 

Try to use this information to plan your own sleep times (“sleep when the baby sleeps”).

Set alarms on your smartphone for mid-night potty breaks.

Then, each day, systematically push back these potty breaks by five minutes per night.

It can be incredibly helpful to have a co-parent. I’m a night-owl so I give my puppy his last potty break at 11:00pm after everyone is asleep. A family member takes him out first thing at 6:00am so I can sleep in. After the 6:00am potty break, he goes back into his crate next to my bed to sleep until I wake up. The 6:00am break used to be a 3:00am and 6:00am break, but I slowly pushed them back. Eventually my puppy will sleep until I wake up.

It’s worth repeating that this is temporary. Dogs grow up fast. And most dogs need much more sleep than humans. Your puppy will eventually sleep through the night (and probably take a mid-day nap too!).

I just don’t have time to train my new puppy. 

Answered by Eileen Holst, Great Day Dog Training. 

There’s no doubt about it, puppies keep you busy. Adding those extra responsibilities on to work, family and life obligations can sometimes feel overwhelming.  

Even so, bringing home a puppy who will depend on you for over a decade for their health and happiness means you will have to fit them into your schedule.  

Here’s the good news, you don’t have to do everything right now. Prioritize the two things that will be the foundation for a happy future for your puppy and you: socialization and housetraining. 

Being comfortable around what life brings them will make for a content dog. Not having pee and poop in the house will make for a content human. 

Once those are under your belt, carve out the time for a basic manners class, leash training, enrichment or any other tools you will need for a long, joyful life with your dog.

I took my puppy out to pee but they didn’t pee. What should I do?

Answered by Vanessa Charbonneau, Sit Pretty Pet Services, and author of Dog Care for Puppies: A Guide to Feeding, Playing, Grooming, and Behavior. (Facebook, Instagram).

I would encourage you to take your puppy outside for bathroom breaks on a leash to keep them from getting distracted or playing, as well as taking them to a consistent ‘potty spot’ in the yard.  

Once at the spot, stop and become a statue – avoid talking to or interacting with your puppy, as this can sidetrack them from the task at hand. 

When your puppy does eliminate, have a celebration! Use treats, praise and, if safe to do so, unclip their leash and transition into backyard play time to reward them for their potty success!

When your puppy does not eliminate during a potty outing, we consider them “full,” meaning, they might have to go at any minute! These puppies are at risk of having an accident in the house, so I recommend utilizing some sort of confinement, such as a crate or exercise pen, to limit their access.

The smaller confinement area is to encourage your puppy to hold their bladder until their next potty break. As a rule, puppies don’t usually like to eliminate where they sleep, so will be less inclined to soil in this area. 

Confine your puppy for about 10-15 minutes then take them outside to the potty spot to try again. You should repeat this process of potty break, 10-minute confinement, and so on until your puppy successfully eliminates during a potty trip, at which point we consider them ‘empty’, and they are much safer to give freedom (within reason) to inside the house!

My puppy won’t walk! He sits down and won’t budge.

It is so frustrating! What am I to do?  

Answered by Bonnie Hartney, Ocean Park Dog Training (Facebook, Instagram).

Puppy parents report it happens with every neighbourhood walk. Luring with food sometimes helps but forward progress is painstakingly slow. Amazingly once they turn around, the puppy happily walks home.

So what could be going on? Why are confident, curious puppies unwilling to go forward?

I discovered anecdotally 4 out of 5 puppies won’t walk, which suggests the behaviour may be hardwired. Could there be an evolutionary advantage afforded to puppies who stay close to home?

When we consider that puppies are defenceless, it makes sense. Historically stay-at-home pups survived. Those who wandered away were picked off by predators. Natural selection favours puppies who stay near their home den.  

Our modern pet dogs may very well have retained those ancient genes.

So if you have a puppy who won’t walk, stop and celebrate this amazing connection to the past. Be patient as it probably feels wrong for the puppy to leave home. Fortunately that feeling doesn’t last long.

In fact, the behaviour seems to fade about the time adult teeth come in. What a beautiful adaptation to keep puppies safe until better equipped to defend themselves.

Let me share a tip. If you have a puppy who puts on the brakes, first take her for a short drive or carry for a distance. The puppy will then merrily walk forward to experience positive socialization in your community.  Happy walking!

My friend said to make sure my puppy doesn’t become possessive about her food by sticking my hand in her bowl while she’s eating. But my puppy seems to get annoyed when I do this.

 Answered by Jessica Ring, My Fantastic Friend (Facebook, Instagram).

It’s a great idea to teach your puppy to love when you come near while they’re eating or chewing. 

Even though resource guarding or possessiveness of coveted items is a completely normal behavior for dogs—it was helpful to their ancestor’s survival after all—we can teach puppies that there’s no need to guard their treasures from humans.  

Rather than worry or annoy your puppy by putting your hand in her food dish, let’s instead teach her that fabulous things happen for her when you come nearby while she’s eating. 

At first, walk past her at a distance and toss a special treat near or into the food bowl. Make sure the treat is something much better than the food she’s got in the bowl. 

If she’s totally comfortable, and ideally perking up with anticipation of the yummy bonus, gradually walk closer to the bowl. 

The sequence is important. 1) Walk near the bowl. 2) Reach for and toss the tasty bonus. 3) Walk away and pause for a bit before repeating. 

Pretty soon, your puppy will look forward to you coming near when she’s eating, because it means something even more fabulous for her! You can do the same thing when your puppy is working a chew. (Please note that a qualified trainer can help if your pup is showing more serious signs of resource guarding.)

My puppy was fine the first few times she got her nails trimmed at the vet, but the last time I took her, they said she was growling and biting and screaming and they couldn’t do her nails. I don’t understand, she lets me touch her paws when she’s cuddling with me. How do I convince my puppy to not be aggressive for nail trims? 

Answered by Joan Forry, The Dog Abides (Facebook, Instagram)

This is a very common issue! Puppies who were once amenable to body handling at 10 weeks old can develop aversions to handling and husbandry procedures as they age. 

We can think of our puppy’s experiences with body handling like a bank account. Every happy experience your puppy has with handling is like a ten dollar deposit. 

We have to work hard to build up the balance in your puppy’s account to insure that they’ll continue to feel happy about handling. If your puppy has a worrisome experience, think of it like a fifty dollar withdrawal. You’ll have to replenish and repay that withdrawal to get your puppy’s account balance back up to where it was. If your puppy only has $70 in their account, a $50 withdrawal is going to feel huge. But, if your puppy has $1500 in their account, that $50 withdrawal may not be so dire.  

Unfortunately, many puppies’ accounts become overdrawn quickly with scary experiences. We should always aim to avoid withdrawals and keep that balance growing and growing. 

We can best prevent the development of aversion to handling, and subsequent fear and aggression, by using training to help our dogs be comfortable with body handling. It’s never too early to start on this kind of training! 

How do I do this kind of training? Here are my five tips for getting started: 

1. Break it down into small parts. Start with merely reaching for your puppy’s paw, touching lightly for a second or two, and then feeding them a piece of chicken.

2. Use food. Always follow up any kind of handling with something delicious for your puppy. Yes, *always.* Always introduce new tools, like nail clippers and files, with a generous followup of delicious food. All your puppy has to do is notice the implement in the first steps to begin to build a positive emotional response.

3. Be aware of context. Touching paws during a cuddle session is nice, but it’s very different than trimming nails, just like kissing is not the same as going to the dentist. In addition, your puppy might be perfectly fine with you touching them at home, but they might be worried about strangers touching them or they might be worried about being touched when they’re in a strange environment. Practice in lots of environments. 

4. Let your dog say “no.” If your puppy pulls away, runs away, growls, or bites, stop! Your puppy is using the tools they have to express their feelings and preferences about what is happening. They are not being mean, dominant, dramatic, or stubborn. If you force them, you risk the behavior getting worse. It’s okay to take a step back in your training if your puppy is uncomfortable. 

5. Ask for help. If you’re having trouble, reach out to a qualified trainer for help. This is not something your puppy will grow out of, or something that will get better on its own. This is an issue that can compromise your dog’s welfare over the course of their lifespan. Early, careful intervention with an incremental training plan is essential. In addition to guiding your training, your trainer should be able to guide you to the appropriate tools for your puppy. We are so lucky to live in a time where we have lots of creative solutions for managing our dogs’ nail care! Scratchboards, grinders, and files are lovely alternatives to clippers. 

Above all, remember that your puppy is your friend! Help your friend feel good about nail trims and body handling so they can enjoy a long, happy life of pedicures and handling. 

My vet said not to let my puppy meet other dogs until they’re fully vaccinated.  

Answered by Maria Karunungan of Fetch the Leash (Facebook, Instagram).

Your veterinarian’s expertise is primarily medical (unless they are a veterinary behaviorist), with some overlap into behavior because, as we know, nothing in life operates in a clean, compartmentalized vacuum.  

I like to weigh opinions like these by asking what the specific risks are, and if there are areas to avoid while engaging in the important endeavor of socializing your puppy. For example, it’s possible that there is a local outbreak of parvovirus in the area, and if that is the case, your veterinarian is highly likely to know this. 

The risks of being partially vaccinated should be weighed against the behavioral risks of not getting your puppy vital life experiences that could teach them that the world is mostly safe. 

The AVSAB has a position statement that strongly urges puppy owners to socialize their puppies during the first three months of life. 

“Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age. ” 

The fact that behavioral issues stemming from lack of socialization can actually be more life threatening, and pose greater statistical risk than medical issues stemming from exposure to disease, puts many puppy owners in a quandary. 

I recommend navigating this by finding safe opportunities to let your puppy experience the world. One example includes puppy classes. Screen your puppy class options by asking the trainer if floors are disinfected, and if other puppies are required to show proof their vaccine series has started — the answer to both questions should be yes. 

Also ask if the class allows puppies to play with each other during class. The answer to that, ideally, is also yes. (See Zazie Todd’s writing on puppy play in puppy classes). 

The benefit from classes is that your puppy not only gets to meet other puppies in a safe environment, but also has the added benefit of the trainer’s expertise to help manage play. Do choose a trainer that will only use reward-based methods and will not use aversive techniques with your puppy — as this can completely undermine your socialization efforts if your puppy becomes scared or frightened.  

Other options include introducing your puppy to friends’ and neighbors’ dogs, provided they are vaccinated, well-cared for, and enjoy playing with puppies. Posting to a local online community forum seeking like-minded puppy owners in your area might be a great way to organize some quality socialization, while allowing you to establish some ground rules for the meet-up (such as venue, and proof that vaccines have been started). 

And of course, socialization is not only about meeting other dogs, but really about providing your puppy with a broad range of experiences that signal to them that new things in life are fun, and safe.

I was standing outside my local supermarket with my puppy in my arms, with the aim of socializing them. But someone saw me giving my puppy treats and came over and yelled that I was spoiling them and needed to show them who’s boss. What should I have done?

Answered by Zazie Todd, Companion Animal Psychology (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Isn’t it frustrating when a self-appointed dog “expert” gives you unwanted “advice”—especially when they are rude about it too? 

First of all, well done for taking your puppy to a safe place for socialization. Not everyone knows it, but your puppy simply observing other people from a safe distance counts as socialization. It’s really important to give puppies a wide range of positive experiences during the sensitive period for socialization (which is from 3 until about 12-14 weeks). 

Unfortunately when someone comes and yells at you, that’s likely no longer a positive experience. So it’s great that you had treats handy because whenever anything seems to be going a bit wrong, you can use treats to try and turn it into a positive experience, and also get some distance from the thing (or person) that is potentially upsetting your puppy. Try not to get rattled yourself, and use a bit of happy talk to help your pup along too. 

Sadly, dog training is not regulated, and a lot of people still have outdated ideas about how to train dogs and puppies. So there are still a lot of people out there whose “advice” will be completely wrong. It’s generally best to ignore them. In a situation like this where someone is hard to ignore, you can always say “Sorry I have to go now,” and go away. You don’t owe them an explanation and you don’t have to get in an argument with them.

In the long run, hopefully people will get more clued up about dog behaviour. Sharing posts with good information (like this one) will help to spread the word. 

P.S. Sign up now to get my free guide, Seven Secrets to a Happy Dog and learn how to have a better relationship with your pet. 

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats. 

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10 tips for raising and training a puppy

When deciding to get a dog, most people do not even think about what they will have to face later. As a result, sometimes, with the connivance of the owner, a cute fluffy ball turns into a naughty, arrogant and even evil beast that can terrorize the whole family. Therefore, the tips on education and training that we have selected for you will come in handy. Because only the right work in this direction can make your puppy an intelligent, obedient dog. nine0004