Puppy Socializing

A most important activity, socializing your puppy helps your puppy adjust to both people and other pets. Socialization can mean the difference between a well adjusted pet and one that must be euthanized.

Not surprisingly, dogs have a psychological identity. One of the most important aspects of your new dog’s life is his pack family. Just as his wolf ancestors were pack animals, so is your puppy.

In the wild, the two most important things pack animals do—are eat and sleep together. That is one of the reasons that having your dog sleep in the same room as family members is very important (Notice that I didn’t say that your pet must sleep with you in your bed!).

Isolation-induced Anxiety

In fact, dogs can get depressed and they can experience what is known as isolation-induced anxiety. If your dog is experiencing this kind of anxiety, you may see some of the following:

• aggressive behavior
• hiding
• submissive urinating
• uncontrollable shaking
• obsessive tail chasing
• nuisance barking
• digging (not chasing burrowing animals or digging up buried bones)- just digging!
• destructive chewing (drywall, patio furniture, jacuzzi decking, furniture, shoes, etc.)
• self-mutilation – Some dogs will chew their front paws until they are raw.

If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, consider if you are spending enough time with her.

It is totally unfair to leave your puppy alone all day, spend a short time with her when you get home from work and then sleep separately all night.

Dogs are group-dependent and they need to spend both quantity and quality time with their pack families. Failure to recognize this can lead to both disruptive and destructive behaviors and eventually to expensive remedial training or, worse, euthanasia of your pet--if he develops aggressive habits.

Puppy Socializing - How to Do It

Make sure she isn’t overwhelmed by large groups or aggressive people or pets. You should start to do this when your pup is between 6 and 8 weeks old.

Make sure that your new puppy meets old people, young people (including small children), men, women, big people, small people and people of varying races.

When your puppy meets young children, you will need to supervise carefully to make sure that things go well and that the children are not too rough with her.

Safe Introductions
as Part of Puppy Socializing

A new acquaintance should avoid eye contact with a dog they are just meeting, as this is interpreted as being confrontational by dogs. Have the person hold their hand out to your puppy so he can sniff it and see who this new person is.

Have a few dog treats in your pocket, and have the new person give one to your puppy.

If this goes well, you can have the person gradually pick up your puppy and hold him to their chest. Make sure that the person doesn’t pet your puppy’s head as that can trigger a biting or oral response.

For dogs or cats, approach the puppy socializing in a similar fashion. Make sure the animal is gentle and quiet so that the meeting will be pleasant for your new puppy.

If he has good experiences now, your puppy will be much better adjusted as he grows older and you will be comfortable placing him in new situations.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you will be successful at socializing your new puppy, and he will be comfortable meeting new people and pets, whether at home or when he goes out with you.

Be patient with your puppy. Puppy socializing in the correct way does take time and you will have some good experiences and some that will require your intervention.

Just remember that it will all be worth the effort! Take a few training treats or mini bones in your pocket, and give them to your puppy when he is behaving appropriately and being social. Make puppy socializing fun for both of you and it won’t seem like a task.

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