Puppy Training: Socialization

Puppy Training: It is important to get the
socialization of your puppy right first time to
produce a well-balanced dog. It should be done
carefully; paying special attention to getting
the puppy used to all types and ages of people,
especially children.

All puppies, like babies, are born without any
knowledge of the world around them and gradually
through trial and error they have to learn what
is safe and what is not. They have a natural
instinctive fear of any new thing, until they
get used to their new environment.

Trying to constantly keep your puppy safe in a
protected environment is sometimes the wrong way
to go about puppy training. By keeping them safe
from, what you consider may harm him, you are
keeping him away from events that will help to
shape his future.

To prevent your puppy from becoming too fearful,
they need to be acclimatized at a young age to
all the situations and problems they may face
later. One of the major problems facing the
socialization of puppies is the type of area
where you live. Each area has its own unique
problem, whether it is a busy city environment
or the comparative calm of the countryside. But
whatever you do take the socialization issue
with your dog just one step at a time

It is always a good idea to sit and think about
the type of problems that may affect your puppy.
Make it relevant to the area where you live and
where you will walk him. Make a list and tackle
each one with your puppy until he has mastered
them all. What you may think your puppy will shy
away from does not always happen and once you
begin socializating your puppy you must continue
without any breaks. Try and plan visits to
different places and situations that you think
will move your puppy forward.

With puppy training they need to meet all kinds
of people. When confronted with a stranger watch
how your puppy reacts and how he or she reacts to
your young dog. Every person your puppy meets
will have a different effect on its behavior.
Again if you encounter certain things that your
puppy does not like, you will have to spend more
time with him until you solve his problem

When meeting people for the first time some have
either a positive or negative affect on you. Your
puppy has a greater understanding of people, even
at a young age, than you will give him credit
for. So do not force him to be petted by someone
he obviously dislikes. Give him time to adjust.

Noise is a major stumbling block, especially
dogs with highly sensitive ears. Certain types
and frequencies of noises irritate some breeds
of puppies more than others. If your puppy is
one of these then have him checked out at your
veterinary surgeon. The best way is to think
about the world we live in by using the five
senses of smell, sense, taste, hearing, and
sight. The consider how they might apply to your
puppy. Go through them one by one and pick out
the ones that you think your puppy will have a
problem with. Remember the sensitivity a dog
experinces by using the five senses is different
from ours. For example its sense of smell is many
times stronger than ours.

Taking your puppy for his first walk, where he
has previous being carried, is a major step.
Where once he was being carried and looking
down, he is now down on the footpath, looking
up. He is now exposed to the smell of where
other dogs have been walking. Get down on your
hands and knees and see what he sees while he is
walking alongside you. Then you will understand
why so many puppies can soon become frightened.
Try and plan a different walk every day and keep
a watchful eye on his reaction to every type of
experience he encounters. By doing this you can
note anything that causes a problem and you can
take steps to rectify this and stop your puppy
from becoming frightened.

Try him on different surfaces like grass,
concrete, soil, and tarmac footpaths. You will
be surprised at his reactions. Certain
situations will arise as your puppy progresses
with his socialization and you will have to
respond as and where the problem occurs. Watch
out for aggressive dogs as one incident can undo
all your hard work.

Comparing socializing your puppy to advanced
driving, you have to be one step ahead of any
problem that could occur. Be patient with your
puppy and eventually you will have a dog you can
take anywhere and be proud of.


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Ian Nicholson has kept dogs for over fifty years
including having worked in veterinary medicines
and animal nutrition. He is giving away a Book
"7 Proven Steps To Better Older Dog Health" at
http://www.choosebestdogbreed.com


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