| Socialization is one of the most important keys to | | | | When you bring your puppy home you will need |
| having a long and happy relationship with your dog. | | | | to continue these lessons. You should take your |
| Yet for many people, even dog owners, the | | | | puppy out in public with you after he safely has |
| concept seems rather mysterious. They don't | | | | his vaccinations to protect him from disease. You |
| know what socialization is or how to go about | | | | should cautiously let him meet other dogs. Your |
| accomplishing it with their dog. Socialization is so | | | | puppy is still learning to read canine body language |
| important that it can make the difference | | | | and he may not be good at controlling his own |
| between keeping a dog or turning him into a | | | | behavior so be sure you have him on a leash |
| shelter. It can mean the difference between a | | | | when he is around adult dogs. Otherwise he may |
| happy, well-adjusted dog and one that is fearful | | | | jump on a grouchy dog. But do let him meet |
| or aggressive. Socialization is vital to your dog | | | | other dogs. This is important for his social |
| being able to live successfully in the human world. | | | | development. |
| So, what is socialization exactly? Socialization is | | | | Continue to take your new puppy or dog with |
| the process of introducing your puppy or dog to | | | | you to new places. You can visit pet superstores. |
| all kinds of stimuli, people and events, preferably | | | | They often welcome dogs while the owner shops. |
| from a very young age, so that he will become | | | | These are great places for your dog to browse |
| accustomed to them. The more he is | | | | and look around. He needs to see new sights and |
| accustomed to strange (to him) and unusual | | | | sounds. You can take your puppy/dog to dog |
| things from a young age, the better he is able to | | | | parks as long as you make sure that you follow |
| learn to react with calmness and trust to new | | | | all of the posted rules. Keep a close eye on your |
| things throughout the rest of his life. | | | | puppy and make sure that he plays with other |
| Ideally, puppies will begin to be introduced to new | | | | puppies or dogs his own size. |
| and surprising things before they ever leave a | | | | Another great place to take puppies is to a puppy |
| breeder's home. Good breeders begin socializing | | | | pre-school or puppy kindergarten class. These are |
| puppies from birth. They pick up newborns and | | | | classes offered primarily for socialization of |
| hold them, stroking their paws and tummies. They | | | | puppies. They may include a few basic lessons for |
| play music in the room where the puppies live for | | | | obedience but the main purpose is so puppies |
| the first few weeks. They introduce them to | | | | have a chance to play and mingle together for |
| household sounds like televisions, vacuum cleaners | | | | social reasons. They prepare puppies for real |
| and other normal appliances. They may let | | | | training classes later on. They are great places to |
| puppies meet kids and cats with supervision. | | | | take puppies. You can usually find out about these |
| Encountering all of these new and strange things | | | | classes through your local kennel club, animal |
| is part of the socialization process. When a puppy | | | | shelter, pet supply store or other dog-oriented |
| encounters these startling things later on he will | | | | training center. |
| not be afraid of them. | | | | Don't forget to encourage your puppy or new |
| Of course, that scenario is ideal. Not all puppies | | | | dog to meet people. One of the most important |
| come from such a home. If you are getting a | | | | elements of socialization is to develop a friendly |
| puppy from a shelter then he may not have had | | | | dog. You can offer people small dog treats so |
| the advantage of such early socialization. It will be | | | | they will have something to give your puppy/dog |
| up do you to do your best to introduce him to | | | | when they pet him. |
| some of the things he's missed out on. He may | | | | Puppies may go through a fearful period between |
| be a little more frightened of some things at first. | | | | six and fourteen months. It's very important |
| In addition to things in the household, socialization | | | | during this time to get them out of the house and |
| also includes introducing a puppy or dog to other | | | | let them meet people and see new things. |
| dogs. One of the reasons why a puppy should not | | | | Otherwise you can end up with a dog who is |
| be removed from his dam too early is because | | | | fearful and shy about strangers and who worries |
| his mother and littermates are a very important | | | | when he sees something he hasn't seen before. |
| part of a pup's socialization. Through interacting | | | | Your goal is to help your puppy develop |
| with his mother and littermates a puppy learns | | | | confidence. Confident dogs are much happier. |
| the social rules required to get along with other | | | | Proper socialization can help prevent puppies from |
| dogs. They teach him that when he bites too | | | | developing problems with aggression and shyness. |
| hard others will stop playing with him. They teach | | | | Good socialization can help prevent many |
| him about playing. They teach him about being a | | | | common behavior problems in dogs including |
| dog. They teach him important body language | | | | separation anxiety. The more confident and happy |
| that he needs to know when he encounters other | | | | your dog is the easier it will be for him to live a |
| dogs later on. | | | | well-adjusted life in general. |