Sunday September 13, 2020
Puppies and socialization
So you finally have your dream working puppy, after so much dreaming and planning and wishing. What’s the most important thing you can do now to make your puppy a successful adult? Take your puppy out in the world to see as many new things as possible! Your successful adult dog will be traveling and working in new environments and seeing new things constantly, so your puppy needs to get used to new things as early as possible in ways that are not frightening or overpowering. How do you do that?
The easiest way, if possible, is to let your puppy experience new things accompanied by an older dog that is calm and friendly. Start small, especially if your puppy is still very young, but don’t shy away from the kinds of situations that will be formal in the future. Taking a puppy to a trial or to a public gathering or on a walk with interesting distractions, people and animals. Let your older dog companion be the calming force. If you don’t own such a dog, maybe you have a friend with an older, experienced dog. Just be aware that whatever behaviors the older dog displays will shape your puppy, so choose carefully.
Puppy classes are great places to get your puppy out and playing with other youngsters his or her own age. It’s easy to practice new skills in an environment that is geared toward the puppy mentality. All the practice you do at home may not be evident at first in public, but don’t give up. I don’t need to tell you that the first thing to practice is your puppy’s name and the command “Come.” Those may be the most important words you ever teach your dog.
