Socializing a new puppy
Socializing a new puppy is as vital to your new addition as food, water and a safe place to live.
Socialization is vital to produce a well balanced, happy adult dog that is at ease in public places and around large or small groups of people and other dogs. Investing this time will also lessen the chances your dog is in an altercation with another dog or may “have a misunderstanding” with a human. (See my blog entry on misunderstanding signals)
The best way to socialize your puppy is to start on day one. Make sure you have a secure collar and leash. Take your dog to as many different places as possible. Trips to the pet supply store are obvious. Some not so obvious ideas I used are: parking down the street from the school and walking up to meet the kids. Allow all the kids to “meet” your dog and stroke and pet him. Public parks, jogging trails, camping areas are all good ideas. Try waiting for the mailman by your mailbox. Try public tracks and community college campuses. If you’ve seen people walking their dogs in your neighborhood, see if you can join. Walking dogs together is great for building pack mentality. (see blog entry on pack mentality)
Though I have never visited one, some people believe the dog park is a great place for dogs to get used to other dogs.
I also attempted to expose my dog to different kinds of animals also, such as horses, goats, cats, chickens, cows, etc. I think it is also important to expose your dog to lots of difference surfaces to walk on; gravel, sand, dirt, snow and puddles. This builds confidence and prepares your dog for anything that may come his way. The last thing you want to do is pick your dog up. He needs to experience all he can.
While exposing your dog to as many situations as possible, always put your dog’s safety first and foremost.
Make sure your dog stays on a leash at all times to ensure his safety and to manage meeting with other dogs. Be a good citizen and always have a bag with you to pick up after your dog. This is a way to ensure you remain welcome at public places.
When meeting another dog for the first time, I believe short and sweet is the best. Allow a minute or two of sniffing and then move on. If the other dog, especially if older, shows any aggression, move on. You want the first encounters to be positive with other dogs. Once dogs know each other, longer encounters are great. Setting up play dates are also a great idea.
The idea is to desensitize your dog to strange or different situations. This is good for him mentally. He will relax better at the vet and in public places. We, as owners, want to do the best we can for our dogs. This socialization is not only fun for young dogs, but very important for balance. It is also mentally stimulating and tiring for a puppy. (see blog entry on “Exercise make all the Difference”.)
So get out there, introduce your puppy to the world. Your puppy deserves to see as much of it as possible.
This article was written by Caroline Oldham of http://dogtrainingonlinetips.com - your online source for training tips, real life stories and advice in dealing with dogs.
We ask that you consult with a professional dog trainer, veterinarian or canine behaviorist before implementing any of the advice or opinions contained on this site. 
