How to Socialize your Puppy
Saturday, February 22, 2020 09:11:00 AM America/Los_Angeles
It's easy to teach puppies of all sizes and breeds the appropriate socializing skills they will need for a happy future. Play-dates, meeting new pals at the puppy park or finding their happy space in the family calls for your involvement. But what if your new furry family member is a rescue pet with an unclear past that could have involved abuse and neglect? This only means that you will need a little more patience and open communication with your new charge. Check out these tips to make this process a happy adventure that you will both enjoy regardless of past history. How to socialize puppies:
Use Toilet Training Extras
Your new canine buddy is similar to a newborn baby. You will be in complete charge of personal puppy hygiene in the housebreaking department. Modern science has introduced a new idea for housekeeping cleanliness in this area, and it's called Bark Potty. It's constructed of natural, biodegradable bark materials, and disposal is easy. Anyway, you'll be so busy having good times with your new pup that you won't regret the time spent in clean-ups.
Bark Potty is an indoor potty for dogs designed similar to a newborn baby's diaper. Multi-layers allow urine to drain into an absorbing collection area where odor is contained away from the air or baby's delicate skin. You won't notice the faint and undetectable odor from your doggy's toilet tray, but your dog will.
Dogs have a sensitive sense of smell, and once the pet potty is activated with a urine deposit, he will return to the scene. This is why a puppy will return, constantly, to a spot on your Persian carpet to relieve his personal needs even after you have meticulously scrubbed the whole area. This is all part of potty training for your new companion, and with the right accessories and preparation, you will have the power to make it the most minor activity. This easy way to house train gives your puppy more confidence, as you reward him with hugs and words of encouragement. Have fun with your furry pal while you harness the convenience of scientific research.
Interact With People
Exposing your new pup to a variety of people you meet every day is one of the best ways to socialize a puppy. First meetings of rambunctious kids on bikes, people using walkers, baby strollers and uniforms are confusing, but they soon become comfortable as your dog learns more about his world. Train your dog to behave appropriately when humans, especially children, make advances such as:
Stroking him on top of the head
Touching or attempting to stroke his face
Giving him sudden, surprise hugs
Practice these behaviors when alone with your puppy, and offer rewards as he becomes accustomed to these actions. Be confident in the success of your training before a child gets to make friends with your puppy.
Enroll in a Puppy Manners Class
Check out any new behavioral training classes for how to socialize puppies and stay with your new charge to provide support. Remember he's in a new environment and meeting new people. As confidence grows, your trusting presence will become less necessary. Choose trainers that are dog-friendly and who have a wealth of patience. Introduce your puppy to a pet spa and let him mingle with other "dog guests", or ask about one-on-one play classes where he gets to exercise and play games for an hour. Always be ready with your own supply of pee pads to make an accident a small affair that is whipped away in an instant. This allows extra time for play. Every hour you spend training in the developmental stage from 3 to 12 weeks of age is an investment in his future health and happiness as well as yours.
Use Respect and Positive Reinforcement
Teach your puppy trust by using positive instruction in a gentle voice. Never physically strike your dog as a discipline measure or raise your voice in admonishment. Your puppy wants to please you, and he's using all of his new skills to bring this about. Trust and respect help to grow healthy pets. Allow your pet to have some alone time to enjoy his favorite blanket or to nap. This conditions him to relax when you have to be at work or taking care of household chores.
Practice Leaving and Returning
Spend time leaving the room and returning without announcing it. Your puppy may bark at first because he may be fearful you won't return. But ignore the barking on these short episodes of separation training times. When reappearing, be casual and don't provide rewards. Your dog will soon learn that it's normal for you to be absent for a time. Using small absences is one of the best ways to socialize a puppy and is more beneficial than just leaving for work on Monday morning and returning after eight hours. Anxiety and confusion on the dog's part may leave you with some sofa-cushion reconstruction when you return. This is a better way for your puppy to learn, and it's up to you to arrange training times that work to eliminate surprises.
If you use these tips, coupled with tons of love, hugs and encouragement, your new puppy will be trained and happy in less time than you're probably anticipating. Happy pets make for happy pet owners. Take care to spend a little time in the beginning, and you'll have the happily ever after that every pet lover craves.