A pup’s upbringing

Toothbrushes and men with beards figure in the best canine education, according to the latest scientific study. Puppies can do a lot more than chew your favourite slippers and make inconvenient contributions to the kitchen floor. Give them wide experiences suited to their age and they’ll turn into better dogs, a programme devised by the charity Guide Dogs has found. A soft toothbrush comes in during a puppy’s first two weeks, when careful grooming will bond it to its owner. As for bearded men, they stand in the category of the unfamiliar, along with washingmachine noises and dogs’ own reflections, with which they should be familiarised by the age of six weeks. The method will work on any dog. With adjustments, it is worth considering for children, too, especially any destined to become MPS.