Socializing Your Dog Or Puppy Will Keep Them From Becoming Fearful Or Aggressive

Socializing your dog is just like introducing your dog to the many sights and sounds of the world and your household. With a puppy, the socialization process is ensuring that every new experience is a positive one so that he will learn to be confident and calm around new situations. With an older dog, the socialization process helps to introduce old experiences to make them more positive which can then replace older experiences that may not have been so positive. Socialization is pretty easy; Just take him everywhere!

Introduce your puppy to the neighborhood by taking walks. Anytime your puppy seems fearful, ignore her and continue walking. She will eventually learn that she is safe with you. Any people you come across should be welcomed to pet and play with her. She should be introduced to all types of men, woman, and children as well as people pushing baby strollers, people in hats and coats, and even those in wheel chairs. Take treats with you so that all these people can give her treats so that she will associate something good with meeting new people.

If you find that your puppy becomes afraid of something, then it’s your job to turn that association into a positive one…and as soon as possible.

When my Chihuahua, Leon, was only 5 months and 3 pounds, we were walking across a busy street and the light turned red on us before we had a chance to get to the other side. There was a motorcyclist that was irritated and he showed it by revving his engine just as he got right behind little Leon. Good thing I had a tight grip on his leash! The poor little guy took off and was stopped only by the end of his leash. I knew right then and there that I had to create a positive experience with motorcycles.

Luckily, it was summer and the local Harley Davidson dealership was having a hog roast. I took Leon with me and it didn’t take him long to associate all the friendly people (who were dying to hold him) with motorcycles. It probably didn’t hurt that the whole place smelled of a hog roast either! Leon never ran from the sound of a motorcycle again and it’s due in part to my fast response in replacing his negative experience with a positive one.

Puppies also need to be socialized with as many unfamiliar dogs as possible, so that they learn how to communicate correctly with other dogs. When you socialize your puppy, ensure he has all of his puppy shots and add the Kennel Cough shot before you attempt to introduce your puppy to dogs you do not know. Socializing an older dog with unfamiliar dogs may be more tricky because they may already be afraid of other dogs. It’s important to replace these automatic responses they may have developed into positive, calm responses.

As a general rule, I don’t recommend taking an un-socialized dog or puppy to the local dog park unless you know that all the dogs there are friendly and non-aggressive. Remember that dog parks are open to anyone and you want to ensure that your puppy associates with only well socialized dogs. This needs to be a positive experience for both of you.

I do recommend taking your puppy or dog to a good doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an excellent way of introducing your puppy to dogs that have been pre-screened for immunizations and behavior. Your puppy will also be surrounded by professionals who understand dog and pack behavior and who will be able to step-in and stop a fight from occurring. Choose your Doggy daycare carefully. Ensure that the staff is familiar with dog behavior and that do not have any fights or aggressive dogs in their care. Go and just observe one day and talk to them about socializing your puppy. They should be able to answer all of your questions. If they cannot answer your questions to your satisfaction, then find another daycare. Taking your puppy to doggy daycare once or twice a week will not only help his socialization skills with other dogs, but it will also keep him pretty tired, which will also keep you happy at home!

As you can see, socializing your dog or puppy can be an easy, positive experience and it will also help you bond with her and make your relationship stronger. taking her places will be much more enjoyable and you both will be relaxed and happy where ever you go!

By: Jennifer Andrade

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