NSW Governor David Hurley paid a visit to the Hawkesbury last week to promote the early socialisation of puppies at the Guide Dogs Centre in Glossodia.
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Hawkesbury High School students have been visiting the puppies on a regular basis to interact and play with them between the ages of five and seven weeks old, to help the puppies socialise and develop confidence.
The students use a variety of equipment to encourage the pups to explore using their sense of smell, sight, touch and sound.
Called the Positive Paws Project, it draws on overseas studies that have shown benefits of socialising puppies early.
Handled puppies are reportedly more active, explorative, sociable towards people and confident during play with other puppies. They also have greater emotional stability as well as better problem-solving abilities.
Guide Dog Services manager, Paul Adrian, said: “The evidence is that the early socialisation of pups leads to confident dogs in the future.
“By socialising the pups at a young age and introducing them to as many positive experiences as possible, as an organisation we will become more effective in producing not just Guide Dogs, but Guide Dogs that perform at the peak of their ability.”
Governor Hurley named one of the five-week-old guide dog puppies during his visit - he called it Hurley.
