Powered by Max Banner Ads
Socialize your New Puppy
February 9th, 2010 | 
Author: 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.
Anbhu Selvan
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/socialize-your-new-puppy-62394.html
Posted in 
Tags:
Honest answers only: did you socialize your puppy enough and if not how did he/she turn out?
I am curious to know because I live in the country and many pupppies of my neighbors were never much socialized but yet are the friendliest dogs ever, and then I have a friend that has a doberman, he has been to puupy classes, obedience training and socialized but yet he growls at strangers.
my first American bulldog i did not socialize enough. she dose not like strangers and has growled at a few. my other two i did socialize them well & they love everyone. my 4th dog is a shpt/mixed. she was dump is between 7-9 years. she loves everyone one now, but was very scared of ppl when we found her about 2 years ago.
References :
my dogs
our little chiwawa mix was not socialized and now she is anti-social severely. she attacks anyone outside the family!
the newest puppy has been introduced to everyone possible and is cuddly and affectionate to anyone.
so i do feel that socialization affects temparment. of course, the puppy’s individual temparment has a lot to do with it too. scruffy is dominant and jealous naturally (chiwawa mix) so she just kind of has always been that way. of course, the baby came cuddly and clingy which made him more social.
it’s a balance of the two, i think.
References :
My brother’s dog wasn’t socialized enough and hasn’t had obedience and is obnoxious with everyone but my boyfriend and me.
References :
My dog will be two this summer and i didnt really socialize her as much as i should. Before we adopted her, she was very social with her brothers and sisters. I should probably take her for a walk and let her play with my friends’ dogs. Even though she’s not socialized with other dogs, she has a very friendly personality, very hyper active though.
References :
Temperament has a lot to do with socializing as much as breeding dogs with excellent temperament.
References :
breeder
well i own two dogs. 1 from a breeder the other one is a shelter dog. My pomeranian that we got from the breeder is well socialized and loves everyone but my little aussie shepherd from the shelter was never well socialized when it was a puppy and it was afraid of strangers and big dogs
and dobermans can be vary protective of there family and will try to protect their family by growling at strangers
your neighbors puppies are probably just naturally friendly pups.
References :
I tihink it has some to do with the breed and alot to do with the personality your dog was born with.
We got our dog when she was already 8months old, she was not socialized at all. She still loved people but was afraid to go outside and go to public places. We still have to work on her with going out in public but she has gotten better. But she is a very friendly dog.
References :
It depends on when and how socialization was done. I have had Dobermans and other breeds who were poorly socialized as puppies and always tended to be fear biters. Have also had dogs that were well socialized as puppies but never much after and they were okay but still not terribly strong charactered. A lot depends upon the basic temperament as well as proper socialization. Growling can tend to show that the dog isn’t confident – that doesn’t have to do with ’socialization’ entirely. A dog with confident character can get primary socialization and still be good even lacking good secondary social interactions. A dog lacking in inherent confidence can be socialized to the max and still lack confidence. The Doberman growling is a defensive gesture, usually. It would more indicate his lack of confidence more than anything regarding socialization although poor or inadequate socialization at the correct times can also cause lacking in confidence. Most dogs with normally sound temperaments can still be trained to increase confidence levels – it isn’t something many novices are capable though. Living in the country doesn’t negate having good socialization.
References :
IMO you are comparing apples and oranges. Farm dogs are very smart and independent thinkers.They know what is right for miles around.
A Dobie is bred for temperament a lot now but in his heart of hearts a Dobie will always be a protector. If the Dob has been trained and such he will be fine he just may be a dignified one. And just not friendly, kind of a snob lol.
You know Dogs are as different as we are, haahah.
References :
life with dogs
I can honestly say I never ever socialized my dog. Never went to any classes or had any training. I did it all by myself. I do have a Shih-Tzu that is well behaved and has a great personality. My sister and friends have brought the dogs over and my dog is a little leary at first but does warm up and play quit nicely. I am not against classes and training I just did not do it. Your friends dog could just being protective.
References :
Yes.
References :
I have a Beagle, and that breed is known to be friendly. I did socialize her and she’s great with people and with other animals.
References :
The last puppy I got (huskie/aussie mix) was started on socializing at seven weeks, when I got her. She was obedience trained and trick trained. She is the most well-behaved and social dog I have. She is friendly, obedient, doesnt get nervous in strange situations, and everyone I know covets her.
My miniature pinscher who I got at three months, is so gentle and social that I use her for rescue events. I dont ever have to worry about kids sticking their hands in her face-she would never retaliate.
My sheltie, who I got at three months is very well-behaved and although she has the caution of a normal sheltie, she is right there waiting to be petted by all who approach.
The 1 1/2 year old cattle dog I rescued from the kill shelter who had not been socialized is so dangerous to people and children that I have to keep her in my home and never take her out in public. She gets muzzled at the vet so he can touch her. We have been working with her for almost a year.
The five year old miniature pinscher that was used a pit bull bait and rescued from a kill shelter charges and attacks all strangers. After working with her for a year, she stops after about five minutes and starts to behave, but that first five minutes are tense.
These are just some of my dogs, and I have had more in the past, but every dog that was socialized by me as apuppy turned out great and every dog I have rescued came with baggage that I had to deal with before I could take them out in public.
So I would have to say that your example is an exception to the general rule.
References :