Socializing Your Puppy
If you’ve ever met a dog that hasn’t been properly socialized, you know that it can create stressful situations for both the pet and the owner. Dogs that have been socialized are confident and friendly instead of fearful, and the mindful socialization of your puppy is a very important part of his early life.
What is socialization? It’s strategically introducing your puppy to new people and situations in a safe way in order for him to gain confidence. The best time to do this is when he’s 8-16 weeks old.
Follow this list of ideas to ensure your puppy learns about his big new world in a safe way. And remember to give treats and hugs to make every experience a positive one.
- Show your dog different surfaces to walk on. Make sure he is familiar with gravel, cement, grass, carpet, wood, etc.
- Introduce sounds to your puppy including vacuum cleaners, the television and music
- When you introduce your puppy to new people, let the puppy approach the new person on his own and ask them to be calm and gentle.
- Bring your pup to a dog park where he can meet not only other dogs but also other people
- Ask friends with dogs to bring their pets over for a play date
- Take your dog for walks to learn what happens beyond your home. Walks can help your dog grow accustomed to traffic, sirens, horns, crowds of people, etc.
Be diligent in following these ideas and you’re bound to have a happy, healthy, confident companion for many years!
