I Want a Sociable Puppy

August 31st, 2009 by KittyKitty

As mans best friend, we want our dearly loved hound to be well mannered in the different social situations he finds himself. This teaching needs to begin while the fido is young. We want the mutt not to be scared or aggressive towards persons or other pets. Dog socialisation is a crucial part of dog care.
Research at Veterinary Medicine College at Cornell showed that the first 3 months are critical, and the easiest for socialisation. For many puppies this period is tackled by the dog breeder. After that time it is still important, but takes more time and effort and planning. This is also the experience of professional dog sitters who are repeatedly asked for tips.
Puppies are like us, if the first experience is painful, we will shun it or be worried in the future, so take things slowly and small. Do not compel the puppy. If in doubt, stop and do it again later. Yound pups rapidly tire and need their sleep, so short and often is a rule to follow.
So what practical things should we do?
• Invite people, any friends and family, petit, grand, different looking, different sexes. Be careful and fully monitor introductions to children.
• Start him on a collar and then a leash. Just put the collar on, later attach the leash and let him walk around with it, then you can take him for a walk around the house. Only use a lightweight buckle collar with a puppy.
• Visit your friends and families in their homes.
• Try and introduce diverse hounds, especially other sociable, vigorous and vaccinated hounds. Be prudent until the puppy is fully vaccinated, meeting puppies of unknown history.
• If you know people with dog friendly cats, organise a visit?
• Meet other animals, do you have a local farm near you? Difficult in cities, but if you go away for the weekend.
• Life in a car is part of life. So take them out for as many convenient short drives in the car. Park up and let him watch the world pass by, in the safety of the car. This helps with him getting used to noisy. Initiate him to other loud noises such as drills.
• Lug or walk him to places where there is local commotion such as shops and parks. Find a café or seat where you can sit outside with your hound and observe the world. Tons of people will come and say hi to him.
• Keep him close to activities in the house, within the constraints of safety, vacuuming, preparing food and TV.
• Puppy grooming, a great time for you and him, start a routine as soon as possible of brushing, bathing and inspection.
• Introduce the puppy to stairs carefully, if you are a typical town apartment owner, this may be more difficult.