As mans best friend, we want our favorite mutt to be well behaved in the different social situations it finds itself. This teaching needs to commence whilst the hound is young. We want the dog not to be frightened or belligerent towards individuals or other pets. Dog socialisation is a crucial part of dog training.
Studies at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine showed that the first 3 months are key, and the easiest for socialisation. For many puppies this period is dealt with by the dog breeder. After that period it is still key, but takes more time and planning and effort. This is also the experience of professional London dog sitters who are often asked for help.
Dogs are so similar to us humans, if the original experience is painful, we will avoid it or be anxious in the future, soone step at a time. Do not compel the puppy. If in doubt, stop and do it again later. Remember young puppies tire easily and need to rest often, so do new things for short periods and give plenty of rest in between.
So what approach should I take?
• Invite friends and family, small, large, varied looking, different sexes. Be careful and fully monitor introductions to children.
• Introduce him to a collar and then a leash. Just put the collar on, later attach the leash and let him walk around with it, then you can walk him around a bit with it on. Only use a lightweight buckle collar with a puppy.
• Visit your friends and families in their apartments.
• Try and introduce diverse bitches, particularly other sociable, vigorous and vaccinated bitches. Be prudent until the puppy is fully vaccinated, meeting hounds of unknown history.
• If you know people with bitch friendly cats, see if you can visit?
• Meet other animals, do you have a local farm near you? Difficult in towns, but look for opportunities.
• Driving is part of life. So take puppy out for as many practical short drives in the automobile. Park up and let pooch watch the world pass by, in the security of the car. This will introduce him to noisy. Initiate him to other piercing noises such as drills.
• Lug or walk him to spots where there is local bustle such as the mall and open spaces. Find a restaurant or coffee house where you can sit outside with your hound and watch the world go by. Loads of people will come and say hi to him.
• Introduce your pooch to activities in the house, within the constraints of safety, house work, cooking and TV.
• Puppy grooming, quality time for the two of you, develop the routine of brushing, bathing and inspection.
• Careful with training the pup on stairs, if you are a typical town apartment owner, this may be more difficult.

Dog socialisation, start today and have a wonderful sociable pooch.