#124 – Learning to Play Nice: Help your Dog with new friends and Play dates

We are dog people

In case you haven’t noticed, we are dog people! We live a dog-centered life. We love dogs, we talk about dogs, and our home is filled to the brim with dog gear. We read about dogs, we listen to and take seminars about dogs, we dream about dogs. We are surrounded, either virtually (our phone is filled with 1000’s of pictures and clips) or physically, with these adorable little Habibi Bears, the Original Teddy Bear dog. We are obsessed! If you are reading this, chances are pretty high that you are as well. You know how precious these little pups are! As such, let’s talk about how to include your dogs on visits and safe play dates so our Habibi Bear guys and gals can be the best behaved and coolest kids around.

Help your Habibi Bear welcome friends safely and politely

In order to welcome family and friends with their own dogs to your home safely, a little preparation and planning is required on your part. First, make sure your dog has had adequate rest, is feeling good and has had some moderate exercise or a good sniff walk outside so that they are relaxed and happy in their home and space. If their tummies are off, call off the visit and plan for another day. If your Habibi Bear pup’s schedule is off and they didn’t sleep well, reschedule for another time. We want our Habibi Bear pups in fine fettle and form to welcome new friends and learn that new dogs mean fun, not stress. Remember, in order to be social, your Habibi Bear puppy has to have all of their biological and psychological needs met (food, water, sleep, shelter, security, protection) first. Please make sure to gather up food bowls, all toys, bedding, blankets, and bones! It is best not to have any items or possessions lying around that could invite conflict or misunderstanding, especially if you are new or still learning to read dog body language.

Know the doggie signals and head trouble off at the pass!

Remember that your Habibi Bear will be displaying signs of unease well before a full blown blowout. If they are uncomfortable with visitors, doggie or human, watch for:

  1. Excessive panting
  2. Drooling
  3. Licking their lips
  4. Yawning
  5. Whale Eyes (where you see the whites of your dog’s eyes)
  6. Stiff body language (frozen tail, staring, ears back)

If you see any of these behaviors, be ready to distract your Habibi Bear pup with a high value treat or remove them from the area, giving them adequate time to calm down and decompress. A few minutes might do. Make a note, either on your phone or paper, what the trigger was so that you and your Habibi Bear puppy can work on it together before the next time or visit. Quick Tip: Taking both dogs out together to walk is a perfect way to be alone together, diffuse conflict PLUS create a bond. Just like walking together creates a human-canine bond, walking dogs side by side establishes a bond between canines.

Be patient and understanding

Some pups need more time to adjust to meeting new friends, and that is 100% ok! There are other dogs who make besties immediately wherever they go. Every pup is different. Always remember that a lip-raise (showing teeth) or a growl is GOOD! It is clear, unequivocal communication that your Habibi Bear pup is uncomfortable. No need for panic or worry. They are merely setting their boundaries, and other dogs will usually respect the boundary and give them space.

Two critical points 

  1. Please don’t reprimand your pup for growling.
  2. Please don’t force your dog to share close space with another pup after a growl incident.

Let each pup have their space until you see that body languages have returned to open, slack mouths and wiggly movements. Let your dog walk away, shake it off and calm down. Better yet, wait until you see some nice play bows before trying to get them to engage again.

If you need help reading dog signals, contact us

Make sure to reach out if you are having difficulty reading your dog’s signals, the sooner the better and let’s troubleshoot this together. We want your Habibi Bear puppy to have the best experience possible and share a life of love and happiness with you, the center of their universe. After all, we are always here for you, cheering you on! 

#135 – Safe and Sane Holidays: How to Create a Stress-Free Holiday Season for You and Your Habibi Bear Puppy

Safe and Sane Holidays Start with Preparation Magic

It’s been a wild ride here at Habibi Bears recently, but luckily, we have our furry little Habibi Bear puppy angels to keep our spirits high and smiles on our faces. Even when times get tough, we have our Habibi Bear guys and gals in their appropriate spaces, all marked out and designated to maintain a sense of order and routine even during the most chaotic of times. Keep reading to find out or review how designated dog spaces in your home can be of help to you and a treat to your pup as well during the hubbub and commotion of December.

Best Small Breed Dog

Ever wondered what makes small dog breeds so irresistible? Whether it’s their tiny size, adorable features, or playful personalities, cute small dogs have a unique charm that captures hearts everywhere. At Habibi Teddy Bears, we carefully select the best types of small dogs to create companions that are perfect for families, therapy, and emotional support.

#94 – Shaping the Future: Training Strategies for Aspiring Working Dogs

Ever wonder what it takes to get your puppy trained for service or therapy work?  While our dogs quite naturally step into the role of offering love and support to their puppy parents and families, it takes serious work, dedication, and multiple categories of...

I’m Julie

The creator of the Habibi Bear. Developed exclusively to provide support for children with Autism & special needs.  I was inspired by my students and wanted to assist them by raising a dog that can be their voice and help them navigate their world. Over the years, this vision has expanded as I now serve people of all ages with my Habibi Method Program, as a Puppy Parenting Coach!