Your dog is your trusted friend, and feeling the touch of your dog’s furry coat, staring into its eyes, getting licked by it, and spending some quality time are the paths of happiness to you. However, if your puppy is calm, relaxed, and collected at home but gets anxious, nervous and excited around other dogs, you might consider initiating a process of socialization. There are several benefits of doing that, from helping them adjust to new situations to leading a healthier life. Your furry friend also learns to check its aggression and overcome its fear. Read on to know how to socialize dogs and ensure they become very friendly outside, as they are inside your house.
When Should You Begin?
Dog experts agree that the process of socialization ought to begin when the dog is still a puppy and a few months old. The first three months of a puppy play a significant role in its socialization process and shaping its personality. How the puppy reacts as an adult will also depend on this very period. The socialization should begin much earlier if you’ve got your puppy from a breeder. Puppies start approaching a stranger at about three weeks of age, and an experienced breeder will be able to adjust them accordingly. Ideally, the process should be continued during the first year of their lives and even as adults if required.
Ways of Socializing Your Puppy
According to the experts, there are several ways of socializing your puppy or dog, and these are some of them.
Start Slowly
Any acclimatization process will take time, so it’s better to take baby steps. Start by introducing them to your family members and, once they are well-adjusted with them, you should go for the strangers. Taking your puppy amidst a large group of unknown people during the initial stages of socialization could make it anxious and evoke undesired responses, though.
Consider Dog Classes
Even though dog classes are helpful both for the puppies and the adult dogs, they produce the best results on puppies. Before taking your dog to these classes, it would be good to have them vaccinated as they would be close to other dogs and people. The classes will introduce your puppy to basic commands such as “sit,” “stand,” “gentle,” and “down.” A certified and qualified trainer will hold every class with skillful resources to help your pet with friendly interaction, teach bite inhibitions and cultivate off-leash obedience. You must continue practicing the commands at your home to receive the maximum benefits.
Introduce Them to New Environments
Your puppy might be comfortable in a particular part of your home, but you should try exposing them to other areas that are new for them, such as new furniture, objects, textures, and noises will also help them adjust quickly. Once they get accustomed or adaptable, you could consider taking them to the pet store, for a walk near the neighborhoods, or a friend’s house for playtime with another puppy. With time, they won’t be intimidated by unfamiliar environments.
Take Steps to Prevent Aggression
Reward your puppy or dog every time it shows correct behavior and avoid confrontation if it displays aggression. Since your dog will frequently bite as a puppy, you might try teaching it to do that gently without excessive force. Chew toys are an excellent way of redirecting their biting needs without hurting anybody and are helpful even for adult dogs. It would be best if you never held your puppy down or yelled at them since that would only make them confused and scared. While playing, biting (puppies play by gently biting your hand) is expected from dogs and puppies up to five years old. You might pay attention if they continue doing this after being adolescent or adult.
As a dog owner, it’s essential to be aware of how to socialize dogs not just for their safety, health, and confidence but also for the protection of others around you. Once your puppy is well-adjusted and socialized, they will quickly adjust to new people or surroundings, regardless of where you take them.
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