They may seem to be bold explorers - sniffing at and mouthing just about anything - but all dogs have an instinctive fear of anything unfamiliar to them. Fear causes stress on the body, which affects long-term health. To help your dog avoid the negative health effects of stress, it is important to socialize her. Socialization is the process of exposing your dog to a wide variety of places, situations, objects and people. A well-socialized dog is a confident, healthy dog that you can take anywhere.
An unsocial dog will attack other dogs, children, vets, and even you.
The things that startle dogs often surprise their owners. Hats, balloons, garden statues, and other mundane things that seem to pose no threat. To your dog, however, it is an unknown. If you are a subdued person, your dog might show fear around a bubbly extrovert. Basically, any situation or object your dog is not accustomed to can create fear and stress in her.
Cornell University College of Vet Medicine suggests that the socialization period lasts up to about 12 weeks (3 months) of age.
So it is best if the socialization process begins when the dog is a puppy. This is a key learning time for dogs, so they become socialized more quickly. However, even older dogs that were not socialized as puppies can reach that confident, relaxed state. Socializing a dog that is more than one year old may take a little longer, but the results are rewarding.
Socializing a dog is a very simple process: take the dog to as many different places as you can. Your dog will pick up on your body language and follow your lead, so it is important for you to act confident and relaxed, especially when your dog hesitates. While you are walking about, stop every so often to pet your dog and talk to her in a happy voice. Naturally, feeding her a treat or two will give her a positive association with the environment.
Here are some quick ideas to try to give your puppy confidence.
Since your goal is to give your dog confidence, not traumatize her, never force your dog to accept a person or situation. Respect her feelings, and try again later.
While you are out and about, remember that you are your dog's guardian. Keep an eye out for excited children running towards your dog. A good way to handle this kind of situation is to stop the kids verbally about 10 feet from your dog. Explain to them that your dog is just getting used to new places and new people. Ask them to approach quietly and one at a time so that your dog learns that children are nothing to be afraid of. Letting the children feed your dog a treat is sure to help her learn to accept these high-energy, enthusiastic strangers.
Properly socializing your puppy will ensure the best traits come out in your new pet and you and your pet enjoy your life together.
Best Pet Health Information is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keeping your dog happy and healthy. keeping your dog happy and healthy
Copyright ? 2005 Best-Pet-Health.info. All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small... Read More
Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More
Just say the word cancer and any of a host... Read More
Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill... Read More
Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More
Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More
Many pet owners often wonder if it's worth it to... Read More
More and more folks are looking to the Internet to... Read More
We all know how special interest groups can blow things... Read More
Playing reinforces the bond between you and your cat.Playing with... Read More
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More
Let me introduce my dogs. I have 3, Nikki and... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
Puppy training can and should begin the day you bring... Read More
One of the greatest thrills for a little boy or... Read More
The first thing to realize when you are training a... Read More
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of... Read More
Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know... Read More
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More
As there are certain health issues that affect only the... Read More
The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner... Read More
'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My... Read More
As with every training tool used to modify a behavior... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
Nobody likes ticks.In fact, when it comes to ticks I... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More
In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are... Read More
I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
The days are getting longer, and if you have a... Read More
Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Does that sound familiar? Hopefully... Read More
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!There is evidence to... Read More
June is Disaster Preparedness for Pets month ? but if... Read More
Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
Carl Icahn, the hostile takeover master who was THE original... Read More
Pet |