The first couple of months in your puppy’s life help shape their personality and how they deal with people, places, and things they encounter when they’re an adult. One of the most important things you can do to ensure they grow into a well-adjusted and friendly dog is to make sure you introduce them to as many new experiences as possible. Socializing your pet isn’t just about getting them to meet other dogs; it’s about making them feel comfortable in a range of different situations. The key is to start as early as possible and here are some of the ways you can do it.
Regular Walking Schedule
As well as giving your dog exercise, their daily walk is an excellent way to help them become more comfortable with the world around them and the people in it. Once you’ve had a good walk around your neighborhood encountering cars, the mailman, kids on skateboards and people, things become less scary. If you’re struggling to introduce a regular walking schedule because of your own commitments, providers such as Premier Dog Walkers can walk your pooch for you!
Mix it Up
Introducing your dog to as many new experiences as possible is going to help them get acclimatized. People, in particular, come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and it’s important for your dog to meet as many of them as possible. Always stay calm when meeting and greeting new people. Encourage people to only pet your dog where their hands can be seen. Treats can be given as a positive association.
Start Socializing as Early as Possible
The optimum time for introducing your dog to new things is between 3 and 12 weeks of age. Make sure they’re exposed to a range of different things including people, bodies of water, parks, woods, beaches, vehicles, different types of flooring, bicycles, benches, cats and, of course, other dogs. If you wait until much later to start your socializing, you’ll find it much more difficult. Similarly, if your new dog is older, your job will be harder, although not it’s important to note it won’t be impossible.
Consider Dog Training Classes
Dog training classes are very popular, and you might find them taking place in your local town or city.Check whether there are any taking place by looking online or speak with your vet. As well as helping you train your dog, this type of class is a great place to meet other dogs and people.
When you’re introducing your dog to new experiences, it’s important to be prepared. You’ll find most dogs will do anything for their favorite treat so make sure you’ve got a handy supply. If your dog behaves well when meeting another dog or new people, make sure you reward them as this encourages positive social behavior. Always exercise caution when introducing dogs as you can’t be certain how the other party will react. Most important of all, remember that practice makes perfect and the more experiences you introduce your dog to, the happier he or she will be.
Brought to you by our friend, Carol.