Socializing Your Dog
It is easier to socialize a dog while it is still a puppy than to wait until it has grown. A puppy being a blank slate is able to
accept new teaching easier than an adult dog. A properly socialized dog is able to take on all kinds of challenges or surprises in stride. It is
the socialized dog that you can offer a loving, lasting place in your home.
Socialization Techniques
Socializing Your Dog With People
There are two facets of socialization for your dog. The first is people that will be in his life. The first day he
is brought home allow him to be held. He should be held by children and adults. Both sexes should be allowed to hold him, play with him and
interact.
When you go outside with your puppy allow friendly people to touch him and encourage him to be affable and
friendly. Don't fear that this will destroy your dog's ability to protect your family. Dogs have an instinctive ability to feel and know
when someone is going to do them or their family harm.
This is not to say that you need to make your dog available to be handled all the time by any passer-by on the
street. There are times when you are busy, when the dog is tired, when you are training him, or you are not in the mood to have others
handle him. This is a balancing of familiarity and protecting your dog that is your responsibility.
Socializing Your Dog
Socialization Your Dog With Other Dogs
The other facet of socialization for your dog is with other animals. Again, this is best done while the dog is
still a puppy. If the dog was not taken away from its mother too early much of this socialization has been done. A puppy needs time to
learn to get along with its other sibling pups.
Socialization never stops, as you need personal friends, a dog needs friends of his own kind. Take walks or
go to the park where your dog may meet and play with other dogs. There is nothing more satisfying and physically tiring than for a dog to
play with other dogs. When the dog looks back at you, reply non-verbally with body language your approval of his play time.
Socializing the Older Dog
A new full grown dog must start the socialization process where he currently is in his development. Assuming you
have established your role as the alpha dog leader this should not be a difficult process. The only problem you should have is that of
breaking old or bad habits. The breaking of bad habits requires consistent reprimand actions. You will need to work with the older dog to
establish and maintain yourself as the alpha dog leader. Your failure at establishing yourself as the alpha dog leader will
drastically hinder your ability to train your dog.
An easy way to establish yourself as alpha dog leader is at dinner time. When it comes time to eat dinner you must
not feed your dog first. Your dog needs to see you complete your meal prior to him being fed. The alpha dog in a wild dog pack
always eats first within the dog pack. You as alpha dog leader, must do the same. You cannot afford to send confusing signals to your
dog.
Daily dog grooming is another excellent method of asserting dominance. Often dogs will murmur or
pull away when being initially groomed as though it were painful. Unless you have done something that was obviously painful such a pulling a
clump of fur your dog is only resisting submitting himself to your dominance. You must maintain dominance by completing the
action.
|