SOCIALIZATION: Socializing your puppy or dog
Question: Is there anything I need to do with my new puppy to assure that he will be manageable in my household?
Yes. If you have a new puppy in your family, it behooves you to invest some time into shaping the psychological makeup of your dog. Few people realize that the period of time between six and sixteen weeks of age is extremely important in forming a pet’s personality. Anything that happens to a puppy during that time may affect him for his lifetime. A puppy that has no human contact during that time will likely always be fearful of humans. A puppy that has no contact with other dogs during that time may become asocial around other dogs.
One of the best ways to invest in owning a well-behaved dog is to take it to an obedience class while it is young. There are many dog trainers who now recognize the value of “puppy kindergarten” or “beginning obedience” during the first few months of life. During that time, most contemporary dog trainers use positive motivation to teach puppies the skills needed for them to become a part of the family.
In the five years that I personally have taught “puppy kindergarten,” I have come to realize that a stronger bond often develops between an owner and a puppy when they work together in training. The training involving “Sit,” “Stay,” “Down,” and “Come,” are important not only in developing useful skills and appropriate behavior, but also in developing the human-animal bond that comes only with training time, allowing a pet and a person to understand each other’s needs. And positive training is fun for both the owner and the pet.
The first few months of your puppy’s life, when directed by an experienced dog trainer who practices positive motivational training, will help ensure that your pet will be one that you and your family may enjoy for years to come.