| Puppies enter the
world not knowing about people or the world in which we all live. A
puppy needs to learn about the things, people and other animals in her
environment. If she is not properly taught, she may grow up to be a
fearful, anxious and/or antisocial dog.
Socialize Early
The first few months of a puppy’s life is crucial to her development. As
soon as you get your pup, you can start teaching her how to listen to
you, how to act around people and other dogs. Start slowly with quiet
one-on-one interactions and work your way up to interaction with
multiple people in noisier environments. Friends, relatives and their
pets can help socialize your puppy by simply coming to your home to meet
and play with your new friend!
Behavior problems are cited as the top reasons why pets are
relinquished. Early training and socializing are the best way to create
good manners and a solid bond. Once your puppy is sufficiently
vaccinated (according to your veterinarian); take her on as many walks
and outings as possible. However, avoid areas that may be high risk for
disease such as parks or neighborhoods with stray dogs. Your
veterinarian may be able to provide advice on good areas in your
community to take your puppy. To encourage your puppy to interact with
other pets and people, reward her with a small treat whenever she meets
a new friend. Start with mild exposure and only reward her for
non-fearful responses. It is important to remember to take things slowly
and have patience with your furry companion. The world can be a very
scary place for a young puppy and it takes time to teach them that it
doesn’t have to be frightening. |
Variety is the
Spice of Life:
To fully socialize your puppy, make sure that she meets a variety of
people of all ages and appearances. It is especially important to
introduce your puppy to children because they do not act like adults
(they move erratically, are loud and approach with no regard to
boundaries). If your puppy only encounters people of a certain age or
appearance, she may show aggression or fear when later introduced to
people who appear or act different (for example, females, children or
men with facial hair).Puppy
Classes:
One of the best things you can do to socialize your puppy with other
dogs is to enroll her into puppy classes. However, make sure to choose a
class that doesn’t promote punishment, such as swatting, hitting her
nose or rubbing her face in her “accidents”. This type of physical
discipline can have a negative effect on your puppy’s good people
skills.Most puppy preschools start at eight to twelve weeks of age. Your
puppy may not have all of their vaccinations yet, but they will be
around other puppies that have just started their vaccinations. Ask your
veterinarian about appropriate classes near you.
You will find that proper socialization and development of your puppy’s
disposition will take time and patience, but your efforts will be
worthwhile as you puppy becomes a friendly and well-behaved companion. |