Canine Connection

Ok, it may sound silly, but one of the best things you can do for your puppy is to boost his social life. This doesn’t mean you need to take him out dancing. When I talk about enhancing your puppy’s social life, I’m talking about taking the time to expose him to new people and experiences.  

All puppies go through a critical period of development between the ages of eight and sixteen weeks. After this time, when your dog comes into contact with someone or something he hasn’t experienced during this period, he’s more likely to become fearful which can lead to all kinds of behavior problems. Think of all the things your puppy may experience in his lifetime (children, other animals, people in wheelchairs, men with beards, people in uniform, riding in cars, and the list could go on and on) and try to expose your puppy to all of these things in as positive manner as possible.  

There are a few simple things to keep in mind when working on socializing your new puppy:  

• Keep it positive. Use lots of praise and treats when your puppy approaches something new. Never scold your puppy for shying away from something.
• Never force an interaction. Don’t make your puppy approach a person, animal, or object he’s not comfortable with. Let him approach new people or objects on his own terms with lots of treats and praise when he gets there.
• Think of enrolling in a puppy class. Usually a good puppy class concentrates on socialization. Your puppy will have the opportunity to meet new people and dogs, get used to being handled, and be exposed to a variety of new situations. Best of all, you’ll also have an experienced trainer to help you through the other joys of puppyhood – housebreaking, chewing, crying at night.

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