Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘puppy socialisation’

As mans best friend, we want our beloved pooch to be well behaved in the varied social situations he finds itself. This education needs to start while the puppy is young. We want the dog  not to be anxious or aggressive towards persons or other animals. Puppy socialisation is a key part of dog care.
Research at Veterinary Medicine College at Cornell showed that the first 12 weeks are critical, and the easiest for socialisation. For many puppies this time is dealt with by the breeder. After that initial three months it is still significant, but takes more time and effort and planning. This is also the experience of professional dog sitters who are frequently asked for tips.
Puppies are so similar to us humans, if the first experience is hurtful, we will keep away from or be nervous at similar occasions, soone step at a time. Encourage force the puppy. If in doubt, stop and do it again later. Yound pups rapidly tire and need to rest often, so do new things for short periods and give plenty of rest in between.
So what approach should I take?
• Invite friends and family, petit, grand, varied looking, different sexes. Be prudent and vigilant with introductions to kids.
•  Introduce him to a collar and then a leash. Just put the collar on, later attach the leash and let him wander around the house, then you can take him for a walk around the house. Only use a lightweight buckle collar with a puppy.
• Visit your acquaintances and families in their flats.
• Try and meet other hounds, especially other friendly, vigorous and vaccinated pooches. Be careful until the puppy is fully vaccinated, meeting  fidos of unknown history.
• If you know family with dog friendly cats, organise a visit?
• Meet other animals, do you have a friendly farm near you? Difficult in towns, but look for opportunities.
• Driving is key. So take hound out for as many practical short rides in the automobile. Stop and let pooch observe the world pass by, in the safety of the car. This will introduce him to loud noises. Introduce him to other piercing noises such as drills.
•  Lug or walk him to places where there is local commotion such as the mall and open spaces. Find a café or seat where you can sit outside with your fido and watch the world go by. Tons of people will come and say hi to him.
• Introduce your pooch to activities in the home, paying attention to safety, vacuuming, preparing food and TV.
• Puppy grooming, quality time for the two of you, develop the routine of brushing, bathing and inspection.
• Careful with training the pup on stairs, if you are a typical town flat owner, this may be more difficult.

Dog socialisation, start today and have a wonderful sociable pooch.