Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Learn Techniques For Socializing Your Puppy

By Mike Z Jones

It is always an exhilarating stretch when a new dog joins your household. Whether you get a new puppy or an older dog this is the time when you want to make sure that you are doing whatever you can to socialize your new family member. It is better for everyone if you do what you can to socialize your new dog because he is likely to stumble upon various new and unique situations all through his life and he needs to understand early on how to respond in healthy and proper conduct.

A new puppy can start learning socialization skills as early as 2 to 3 weeks following birth. Usually a family will get a new puppy at about 7 to 8 weeks old. Puppies tend to be more timid and apprehensive until they are about 14 weeks old so during the early days be kind with your new puppy.

Socialization is a skill that should be practiced throughout a dog's life. Different situations and circumstances can have an effect on a dog and he can transform from loving and sociable to timid, anxious or even aggressive. That is why it is essential to train in socialization skills throughout your dog's life. Permit him to experience a number of situations, diverse people and other animals.

Take your dog to parks where there are other animals and let them get familiar. Make sure that your dog has had his shots beforehand but make sure he has some time with other people and other animals.

People who arrive to your residence regularly should all be well-known to your dog. That would include the mailperson. Introduce them and let your dog get acquainted. If it is doable make sure that you take your dog around many different people, as it will increase his social skills immensely.

Dogs are naturally pack animals. They lived in the wild in packs and they will reconstruct the pack pecking order in their new situation. It is fundamental that everyone in the family is seen as a more dominant pack member. That means that when a human speaks the dog listens and obeys. You are the alpha dog and your dog is the follower.

Socialization should not end after puppyhood. Your dog needs to continuously meet new people, new dogs and other animals. If he does not he is more likely to develop hard-to-resolve troubles like biting and fighting.

Your dog training will be more successful and you and other people will like your pet more if he is well socialized and well-behaved in the majority of situations.

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