[Puzzle No More] [Non-Competitive Obedience Training for Your Dog. Veterinarian Approved. Veterinarian Recommended.] [Presented by Lauren Faggard, PhD, CBC, IACP]
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[ Home > Dog Training, Dog Obedience and Dog Care "Quick Tips" > Socialization: What is it and how do we do it! ]

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Socialization: What is it and how do we do it!

Socialization is when we expose the puppy or young adult dog to people, animals and objects that will be in their environment. There is more to this technique than just an introduction, you have to gradually help the puppy learn to interact and respond positively without fear. With socialization as in training, we want to help the puppy learn to set boundaries of what he can and can’t do in a controlled experience.

Each experience should end in lots of praise, touch, play and a cookie. This reinforces that new sights, smells, people and situations are fun. In your home these things should include appliances from the vacuum cleaner to your blow dryer and the puppies grooming tools including his bath. The exposure needs to be done with the lights on and off and sometimes in good weather and bad. Remember in your training it is how the dog sees it. So let him see it in a variety of situations. Venture outside. There are fantastic opportunities. If you have done a good job inside and around your home, you should have no problem.

Be creative in picking locations. The veterinarian’s clinic should be a fun visit. Have friends and family the puppy already knows wear hats, dark glasses, heavy coats and umbrellas. Ask people to help you do some training. Most people are thrilled to help. Give them a treat to give your dog on his second approach. If they have on a hat or glasses ask them to please do the same thing but take the hat and glasses off while presenting the cookie. Ask people with disabilities to help. Most puppies have very little if any exposure to crutches and casts, wheel chairs and other specialty equipment. Don’t forget children. However, when working with children these meetings should be closely supervised. Children some times don’t know their own strength. They also make very sudden movements accompanied by high pitched sounds. These movements and sounds can frighten a puppy and make an adult dog agitated or aggressive.

The greater the exposure as a puppy: the more confident as an adult. Socialization does not have an age limit. It is a continual process of new sights, sounds and experiences for your canine.