Good socialization is one of the keys to raising a sane, happy dog.  It’s not hard to learn how to socialize your dog. 

A well-socialized dog is self-confident and relaxed whether alone or around other dogs or people. 

To socialize your dog or puppy makes your dog happier throughout his life.

Dog socialization is allowing your dog to become familiar with strange objects, people, dogs and situations so he can develop positive responses to things he’s not accustomed to. 

The earlier you solcialize your dog, the better.  Good breeders begin socialization puppies when they’re only a few days old.  They provide different surfaces for the puppies to crawl and walk on. 

They hold them in different ways.  They let them become familiar with objects that have smooth and rough feels and which are warm and cold.  All of these different stimuli at a very young age are believed to help a newborn learn faster and become a more confident adult.

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As a puppy gets older breeders continue socializing them by teaching them about noisy things such as TVs, radios, stereos, vacuum cleaners, strangers visiting, being handled, being groomed and many other early lessons. 

All of these new experiences teach a puppy that new things are good and not scary.  A puppy learns to be interested in new things instead of frightened by them. 

Done correctly, learning about all of these new objects and people helps to build a puppy’s confidence at a young age and helps him become a more secure and confident adult dog.

As an owner you have the responsibility of continuing to socialize your dog or puppy when you first bring them home.  Even with early socialization by a breeder, if an owner doesn’t continue socialization after eight weeks a puppy can become fearful and lose confidence. 

He can become a shy adult dog.  Many pets who have dog separation anxiety have that problem because they were not properly socialized.  When a dog lacks confidence and becomes nervous and anxious he will cling to his owner and not want to let him out of his sight.  A confident dog will be able to tolerate having his owner leave for the day to go to work.  A well-socialized dog can amuse himself and won’t be anxious about his owner’s return.

There are lots of things that you, as an owner, can do to socialize your dog / puppy when you bring him home:

1. After your puppy has his second set of vaccinations you can take him to pet supply stores to meet friendly people for petting.  Give them treats so they can give some to your puppy when they pet him or her.  This is a great way to help your puppy like meeting people they don’t know.

2. Sign your puppy up for puppy preschool or puppy kindergarten classes.  These classes are terrific for puppies to meet other puppies and have some friendly play time.  Puppies also learn a few basic manners in the process. 

 

This is great socialization as puppies are playing with other pups in their age range and meeting friendly people and also other handy skills for

puppy dog training too.

3. Take your puppy for walks in the park.  Seeing new sights and sounds is a wonderful way to socialize your puppy.  Even if he only sees flowers, birds and squirrels, he’s seeing them in a new place and that’s good. 

 

Take treats with you in case you meet some friendly strangers who want to pet your puppy.  It’s always good to encourage people to pet your puppy so he’s never shy with people this is a great way to socialize your dog.

4. Don’t forget your vet, dog groomer and other places where you routinely go with your puppy.  Make these trips fun for your pup.  Ask people to pet him but do remember to keep him on a close leash when you’re near other dogs. 

 

Not all dogs are friendly and some cats are very scared around dogs.  Finish off these trips with a stop at your local ice cream store -- a cup of vanilla ice cream is fine for your puppy.  (No chocolate.  It’s harmful to dogs.)

To socialize your dog around other dogs and other pets can take some patience.  If your dog is meeting other dogs in a neutral setting your dog should be leashed.  Hopefully the other dog will also be leashed. 

You can let the dogs meet and greet each other.  If the dogs are both friendly there shouldn’t be any problems.  Dogs of similar size and of a friendly disposition can usually play together in a neutral place without problems but you must always keep an eye on your dog to make sure things continue to go all right. 

One important tip when you socialize your dog is to be aware if the other dog shows signs of aggression or trying to push your dog around you should step in, leash your dog and withdraw before things escalate.  Dogs can get into squabbles over toys or treats or a favorite doggy friend. 

Your dog probably could work it out for himself but if this is just a passing dog acquaintance there’s no need to let things continue.

If you are trying to socialize your dog around other pets in your home that may take more time.  You will need to introduce your dog and the other pets to each other gradually and let them become used to each other.

When you socialize your dog or puppy you will help him throughout his life.  When you socialize your dog it will build his confidence from the time he’s a newborn.  It’s very important for owners to continue to socialize their pups when they bring them home. 

Use every new experience to socialize your dog / puppy to show him that there is nothing to fear.  If you show him that life is good and positive you will have a confident, secure adult dog who will live be far more likely to live a happy life.

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