Dog Socialization Training – How to Socialize Your Puppy
Most dogs have the ability to display a wide range of tolerance for others. Many instantly like every new animal or person they meet. Others will act with hostility towards even the opposite sex of their own breed. By nature, dogs are territorial, but despite this, there is a large diversity in behavior and acceptance. Animal lovers tend to have more than one dog and often several breeds or other species. Maintaining control when animals mix can be challenging. Add your neighbor's pets or random critters who wander into your companion's territory to the equation and your furniture, house and sanity can be at risk. To minimize the chance of disasters, begin socializing your dog as early as possible. As with children, puppies are much more accepting of strangers. Everything is viewed as a new experience to be explored and they haven't yet distinguished between friend and foe. If you only have one dog, it is especially important to expose the puppy at an early stage to other dogs and people. Get them used to being touched, especially between the toes, in the ears and near the eyes. This will help to ensure other animal interaction and visits to the vet much easier. Naturally, dogs sniff everything. Make sure to control them when they're first about to interact with another animal releasing them only when you're confident there won't be chasing or violence. Tolerate leaping or biting behavior if there is no chance of injury. It's natural for dogs to rough house, knock one another over and even lightly bite legs and necks. Make sure to stay close and be prepared to snatch them away if required though. Many find leather gloves useful during initial interactions. Distract a continually barking dog with a treat, toy or a sharp command. If they refuse to cease pulling or barking after several attempts at control, try another day. Results will vary based on the individual dog and some will simply never tolerate others. As you watch their interactions over a period of time you'll determine what's more and less effective for your dog. It may be necessary to put the dog on it's back, then hold it down with a firm hand on the chest. In more difficult cases a bark or shout in the dog's face is useful. Yes, you will look like a lunatic to others, but this technique is utilized by the Monks of New Skeet. The brothers of this upper New York State religious order are world-renown for their German Shepherd raising practices. Extra patience in socializing is normally needed with rescued or animal shelter dogs. These animals have often experienced abuse or injury by people or other dogs. Naturally those experiences can lead to aggression or fear. Even these dogs are capable of remarkable transformations though. Tolerance of other people and pets can often be learnt with repeated exposure. The key is to begin exposure early, starting with short periods of time and slowly building up to longer ones, repeating as necessary. Make sure you are ready to control the dog, physically and mentally, with every new interaction, and assert your status as alpha leader. More Introduction to Dog Training Articles: | 