When you first adopt a new puppy (or dog), it’s vital to immediately start socializing him (or her.)
If you’ve never owned a dog before, you may be prone to shield him from the outside world. However, this is a major mistake.
Don't Over Protect
Overprotected dogs are overly anxious, having a meltdown when approached by people and/or other dogs. Instead of sheltering your dog, teach him how to cope (as well as respond) in a manner that’s both healthy and suitable to not only other canines, but to a variety of people, places, things and other animals.
How to Start
- Puppy classes – An excellent place to start socializing your new puppy is to take him to puppy training classes. This is especially beneficial if you don’t have other pets.
- Parks and public squares – If you live in the country where the houses are spread out, there may not be many opportunities for your dog to meet other dogs, as well as neighbors. Do you live near a park or public square? Actually, these are safer areas as the odds are less that stray dogs will run wild here.
- Play groups – Arrange for dogs (that are similar in breed and size) to come over and play. Of course, this requires supervision and should be done within a fenced-in backyard.
- Car outings – Don’t limit your dog’s car outings to only those times when you see the vet or have him kenneled. Take him along with you to as many places as possible. An excellent trip is to the bank drive-through or any other area (such as the dry cleaners) where you drive through your car.
Continue training during the adolescent period (which starts around 6 months and ends around age 2.5 to three years.) Just as human teens, adolescent dogs also can be moody. Larger breeds tend to stay in the adolescent period longer than smaller canines, so take heart if your outsized dog seems to mature slowly.
How to Handle Aggression
- Daily walks - When first walking your dog in public, you may notice aggression when people or other dogs approach him. Instead of pulling him away, turn him around 180 degrees and walk in the opposite direction. Repeat this procedure every time he starts to pull away from you or go after a person or animal. When he obeys, reward him with praises and a small treat.
- Barking at strangers – Does your dog bark when the mail carrier drives up to your mailbox? Exchange this negative experience for a pleasant one. As soon as he starts to bark at the mail carrier, command him to sit. Then, after he responds, distract him by rewards of praise and a small treat. This way he’ll associate the person who delivers your mail (or anyone else who knocks at your door) with a pleasant feeling. Do the same when visiting public places, such as outdoor cafés where dogs are allowed to sit beside their owners. Again, the key is association.
- “It’s Me or the Dog” – Become a regular viewer of Animal Planet’s, television program, “It’s Me or the Dog” where you can learn tips from England’s Victoria Stillwell, one of the world’s top dog trainers.
Continue Socialization
No matter how much time you spend socializing your new puppy and/or adolescent dog, you should not stop getting him together with people and other pets when he grows into an adult. On ongoing process, socialization should continue throughout his life.
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