Looking After Pets

Socializing your puppy begins the moment you introduce it into your household and continues for the life of your pet. You must remain aware of every situation your pet is entered into and be ready to correct unwanted behavior, while rewarding good habits.

Puppy socialization starts with your immediate family. Teaching these skills from an early age will ensure that your dog will be a joy to have around. Not only will your family feel secure, but he will be trusted throughout your community.

A poorly socialized dog can be dangerous, especially around young children who tend to become overzealous when playing with pets. A dog must be taught patience and learn to recognize non-threatening actions from family members, friends and other dogs.

Socializing your puppy will keep him safe as well as those around him. He will be able to adapt to various activities and know how to react properly in these situations, such as a visit to the vet or groomer.

This training should begin before twelve weeks of age if possible, as this is an important learning period in its life when temperament develops and habits become ingrained. We will first discuss the do’s and then move on to what should always be avoided.

Puppy socializing activities should always be made pleasant and done in a non threatening manner. Making sure the pup is well fed and rested is always a good idea.
If the dog is frightened or threatened, he may develop a phobia and react negatively the next time he is exposed to the situation. A dog remembers unpleasant surroundings.

Invite your friends over to meet your pup. Have them bring their kids. Your dog needs to be exposed to all sorts of people, sniff them out and get to know them better. Encourage people to bring their dog along as well, if it is even tempered.

Meeting other dogs and young puppies is healthy and you will be able to see how he reacts to different breeds. Taking him to various places from the beginning will get him to know the outside world. The park, a pet store where they allow pets is perfect.

Your dog will interact with various other types of animals at a pet store and become familiar with their smells and sounds, and maybe even make some new friends! Frequent car rides are a favorite for most pups as well.

Getting your puppy used to various noises such as the vacuum cleaner, hair dryers, etc will ensure he won’t become startled when out on a visit and react negatively.

Here are some puppy socialization don’ts to remember.

Never put the pup on the ground when a strange animal is approaching. This could cause an attack or unwanted attention.

Do not reward fearful behavior by trying to sooth the pup. Fear- based behavior can lead to biting as a means of self defense. Do not force your dog to approach anyone or any thing if he appears apprehensive.

By allowing your pup to go at his own pace when socializing you lessen the chance of injury or intimidation. Take things slow and don’t do too much at a time or your pup will be too overwhelmed to take it all in.

copyright Danny Taylor

Much like a human, a dog learns social skills that will help it get through life. That means puppy socializing is vital to a stress free and happy existence for dog and master. A dog that is maladjusted can have a number of issues. Some may become very fearful of anyone they do not know-canine and human alike. They may not react well to new situations. Fear can turn into aggression should the dog feel cornered or threatened.

Needless to say such a situation could become dangerous for all involved. Starting out early, when the dog is small and learning will help avoid such issues. Educating yourself on how to socialize your puppy properly before bringing him or her home is very important. A dog that is well socialized will have no problem fitting in with other dogs and situations involving new humans. That means you can take your dog just about anywhere without worry for how he or she will react.

12 weeks of age is a good time to start puppy socialization training. All dogs should continue their training long after the 12 week mark. This will reinforce what they learn and help them cope with new situations. Socializing a puppy must be done properly especially the first few times. Any mishaps can have a scarring effect on your canine companion.

Keep the situation as non-threatening as you can. Remember to maintain calm. Your dog can reflect your tension, and that can cause problems. When introducing your pup to a new dog, make sure you are familiar with that dog and its owner. If you have any concern for how it will react, do not go through with the meeting. It takes one misstep for a pup to develop a fear. Especially if the dog is significantly larger, even a playful gesture could harm a small pup.

A small pup is still growing, and his or her immune system may not be as strong as a full grown canine’s. Keep this in mind when exposing your dog to new dogs. Make sure each dog has had all necessary vaccinations and is in good health.

Invite your friends or family over to help with socializing your puppy. The more people he or she comes in contact with, the more comfortable they will become around new visitors when they are older. A dog will learn that he or she has nothing to fear from humans based on positive experiences while growing up.

When deciding how to socialize puppy, remember to change environments. Your dog may grow accustomed to greeting newcomers in his own home, but how will he fair in strange territory? Take your furry friend for walks and park excursions. Many pet stores allow your dog to shop with you, and these can be ideal places for puppy socialization.

There are a number of opportunities you can utilize to properly socialize a puppy. Be sure to include both human and canine interactions as well as socializing sessions in new places. The process can really be a fun one. It is a reason to get friends together and to romp with neighbor dogs. Enjoy each step of the puppy socialization training process. In the end, you and your dog will develop a bond as you reveal the world and all its exciting experiences.

Copyright Danny Taylor (Professional Dog Trainer)