Socialize Your New Puppy

Author: Anbhu Selvan

Bringing a new puppy into the house is forever exciting and fun time. Everyone at home would like to play wit, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last thing on minds of the most new puppy owners is to train the new addition, but is very vital that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible.

Mingling a new puppy is an important part of any training program, and it is also significant for socialization to begin early. The gap for socialization
is very small, and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old never develops the socialization he or she requires to become a good canine citizen.

Learning how to interact with other dogs is something that usually would occur among litter mates. However, since most dogs are removed from their mothers so soon, this litter mate socialization regularly does not finish properly.

The most vital lesson puppies often learn from their litter mates and from the mother dog is how to bite, and how not to bite. Puppies usually roughhouse with each other, and their thick skin protects them from most bites. However, when one puppy bites too hard, the other puppies, or the mother dog, swiftly reprimand him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until he submits.

In fact the best way to socialize your loved puppy is to have it play with lots of other puppies. It is also okay for the puppy to play with a few adult dogs, as long as they are friendly and well socialized. Many communities these days have puppy playschool and puppy kindergarten classes. These classes could be a good way to socialize any puppy, and for handler and puppy alike to learn some essential obedience skills.

When socializing puppies, it is best to let them play on their own and work out their own issues when it comes to suitable roughness of play. The only time the owners must step in is if one puppy is hurting another, or if a grave fight breaks out. Other than that the owners must simply stand back and watch their puppies interact.

While this socialization is taking place, the pack hierarchy must quickly become apparent. There would be some puppies that are especially submissive, rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the least provocation. Other puppies in the class would be dominant, ordering the other puppies around and telling them what to do. Watching the puppies play, and formative what type of personality traits your puppy has, would be extremely valuable in determining the best way to proceed with more advanced training.

It is also significant to introduce the puppy to a variety of other animals, particularly in a multiple pet household. Introducing the puppy to friendly cats is imperative, as are introductions to other animals the puppy might encounter, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and the like. If your household contains a more exotic creature, it is essential to introduce the puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in a way that is secure for both animals.

It is often good to start by introducing the puppy to the smell of the other animal. This could be easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals bedding, like a towel or bed liner, close to where the puppy sleeps. Once the puppy is familiar to the smell of the other creature, he or she is much more likely to believe the animal as just another member of the family.

Anbhuselvan is an experienced dog care specialist and is also a good writer on the topic. He also gives suggestion on how to make your dog look catchy and colorful without irritating the dog’s mood. Various products are designed and are available keeping in mind the dog’s comfort and mood