Puppy training- reassurance needed

Hi all

By now many of you may have seem my post about my Pup, Tara (9/10weeks old), we have had her 5 days now and I an taking her in the car when we go out.

I am trying to get her used to a collar, I have tried a soft leather one and a soft nylon one, both cause her to scratch frantically and do whirling dervishes around the kitchen. We are only putting it on in short bursts.

Am I trying a collar on her too soon?

2nd thing, socialising is obviously extremely important, but when we go out she shakes, I don't reassure and we make lots of happy noises, is it because she is still very young do you think.

Its been such a long time since I have had a puppy, I think I might be over concerned

Try putting her collar on before you feed her then take it off when she's finished for a few days, then gradually extend the time she's in it for. Don't do it too tight. She will scratch but the food should take her mind off it, she will probably stop eating to scratch but just ignore it!

As for socialising, slow and steady, always take a handful of her food or treats with you and distract her if something scary is about to happen, like an ambulance whizzing past or a dog barks from a garden, don't say anything, just feed her, thus she'll see those 'scary things' as good things that give her food...don't say a word though!

Perseveer with the collar, put it on when nice thingsa re happening such as play or dinner. Do it for short periods of time and ignore/distract any scratching etc.

She isn't too young to socialise, and shaking is all part of it. try to make sure she is not over exposed to really scary things. i think i said before, if possible, give her some way of hiding if she feels the need to. If she seems scared just give gentle happy reassurance, as you are doing and move away slighlty so that she can watch from a distance that she feels safer from.

You will be amazed that before long she will be desperate to get down and sniff around.

She sounds completely normal!

Thanks for the reassurances...xx