Having a dog around the house can be very fun. After all, they bring joy, laughter and companionship without even trying. However, dog ownership comes with responsibilities and you should be well aware of these responsibilities before you introduce a new dog into your home.
These responsibilities include vet checks, immunization, food, training and more. Along with these basic necessities you will also be responsible for the health and welfare of your dog. This includes behavioral training and socialization.
Dogs learn how to behave properly through socialization. When you subject them to new situations they quickly learn how to respond and behave properly. When your pet is well socialized they will be less likely to be aggressive and be well behaved when meeting new people, animals or in unfamiliar situations.
Socialization is simply the act of introducing your canine companion to new experiences, so that they can become comfortable and confident in almost any situation. These experiences can be environmental, meeting new people, as well as introducing them to other dogs and animals.
It is an extremely important part of the behavioral training process because it helps your dog become more confident and relaxed, which leads to a happy, healthy and content canine companion.
As I mentioned above, socialization training can help ensure that your dog will react in a positive, well behaved manner when presented with new people, places and things. The best time to start socializing your dog is around 8 to 12 weeks of age.
However it’s never too late to start, so even if you own an older dog you can still use simple socialization techniques to help build their confidence. With older dogs the process will often take longer and can be more difficult but it can still be accomplished with time and patience.
The key to successful socialization is that it is completely voluntary on your dogs part. You should never force your dog to socialize with other dogs or people when they aren’t ready because it can have a negative of impact on their behavior. It can instill fear, make them aggressive and even lead to biting in stressful and unfamiliar situations.
When bringing home a new dog it’s best to let them become familiar with their surroundings a little at a time, as we discussed in a previous issue. Give them time to get used to one or two specific areas inside of your home and then gradually introduce them to other areas.
The same holds true with introducing them to family and friends as well. While everyone is excited to meet the new addition to the family it’s important not to overwhelm your new canine companion with too much attention right away. Try to keep the situation calm and introduce each individual separately. Allowing them to spend a few minutes getting to know each other.
When introducing your dog to a new person or experience it’s important that you remain in control of the situation. Keep in mind that they look to you for cues and commands. By maintaining a calm, authoritative posture you can help them feel more confident and comfortable during the process.
It’s a good idea to engage your dog to socializing activities on a regular basis. Try simple things like taking a walk, playing in the yard or going to the park at specific times or on certain days of the week. Your dog will get used to these scheduled social activities and look forward to them eagerly.
During your training sessions always remain calm in unfamiliar situations. Your dog can read your body language and will quickly react to your cues. When it comes to proper socialization consistency is key, so it’s important to be patient and kind.
Puppy Socialization
If you want to keep a pet at home that calls for a couple of obligations to fulfill. Take note that what your dog does is always out of habit. Thus, if you tolerate his bad habits, he will not be able to outgrow them. It will be you who will suffer in the end. So, it is best to start early with the dog training lessons.
I just love this chew toy!
Puppies are young and don’t have a mind of their own. They are simply dependent on you so it is your task to assist them let go of their bad habits and develop the good ones. You and your leadership skills will therefore guide your dog towards the right path in terms of honing his behavior, habits, and temperament. This is the main reason why dog training and socialization training are very much necessary.
Training Your Dog at Home
Separation anxiety often attacks young dogs. So, they normally cry, bark, chew, and do a lot of annoying things. You have to understand that it is also hard for him to adjust to his new environment. Thus, you should start with the house training activities by setting boundaries, introducing new areas, and letting him know those activities that you can tolerate and not.
Don’t be violent when your dog doesn’t seem to understand at once. Potty training, leash dog training, and the likes are never achieved overnight. You have to use lots of praises, rewards, and encouragement. It is always best to start as soon as possible so his old ways will be corrected. Incorporate fun sessions during the dog training. Use commands frequently. Whenever necessary, impose a punishment but not something that will agitate him and cause him to fight back. Say for example you didn’t like his behavior, simply ignore him. He will surely try getting your attention but be stern not until he does what he is told.
Leaning the Socialization Skills
The dog’s socialization period is said to fall in his first 16 weeks of puppyhood. It is the time when he develops into an adult dog. Therefore, you must expect that it is also the time frame when he changes his temperament, behavior, habits, and character. The socialization period is also the time that he gets adjusted to his family and the people in the household.
It is best to let him become familiar with the house and the people around. It helps to expose him to some animals too. This conditions him that it is not only him that exists in that area. Take him out for a walk so he will see what lies beyond the gates of your home. In this way, he will not go wild whenever he sees other objects, animals, and people apart from the members of his family.
Best Friends Forever
During the dog training and socialization training, you should arm yourself with a doze of patience. Your dog lacks maturity so it is your own responsibility to handle the matter really well. He imitates what he sees so you better act accordingly.
