Socializing a dog is very vital for complete dog care. It is important for each dog owner to make his dog fit to live in a new world. Socialization is the process of giving your dog exposure to new situations and the environment. It is very important for the overall development of the dog and helps him in developing skills to cope with the new environment in a positive manner. If we try to socialize dogs in this way it will help the dog to feel comfortable while encountering new people, things, animals, and experiences. It teaches them to be calm even in a stimulating situation.
When your pets are social
A socialized pup is friendlier, happier, and can handle stress in a better way. An absence of socialization with dogs makes them shy, anxious, and fearful. Ways of socialization may vary with the dog’s breed and age, though the basics remain the same. You can make your dog socialized by using the following tips and help him in adapting his new surroundings better.
Ways to Socialize Your Dog
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Start Primary Socialization at the age of Three Weeks
Dog care starts just after its birth, and the dog owner has to do it regardless of the dog’s breed. The primary socialization of a pup should ideally begin at the age of three weeks. At this age, let your little puppy play with its litter-mates as it will help him in learning techniques that are very important for them in later life, such as barking, biting, fighting, chasing, etc. It helps them to acquire these techniques in a pure and natural environment which is a very important part of their growth.
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Don’t Detach Him From His Mother Very Early
This is a critical factor in dog care. Give your little pup a time of at least eight weeks before taking him away from its mother and the other siblings. Interaction with them teaches the dogs how to get along with the other animals. Taking him away from his family may cause permanent damage to his ability to learn social skills. After eight weeks, he will be able to get along with his new friends in his new family.
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Make Him Interact With All Kinds Of People In A Positive Manner
Give your pup regular exposure to people of all kinds, sizes, and shapes. Let him interact with little and big kids, tall men, and fat women. The idea is to let him interact with all kinds of people, especially in his puppyhood. It will help him in getting friendlier, and he will be less fearful and aggressive. Dog experts believe in throwing puppy parties so that his interaction with lots of people will teach him how to behave with humans.
When your pet knows you can play with him
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Give Him Lots of Happy Experiences With other Dogs
You can take your dog to obedience classes, play dates with your friend’s dogs and dog park romps to make him understand in a practical way how to interact with other canines. Puppies, when playing with other puppies, learn an imperative lesson that they should not bite humans. Interacting with pups of the same kind and age gives your pup an altogether different kind of confidence and growth.
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Let Him Live Indoors
Let your dog enjoy themself at home and don’t force him to go out with you unnecessarily and at unusual times. Though the interest may change with the dog breed, a dog enjoys living at home with all its human family around it. He will feel much more comfortable and happier with the household bustle and the family members. He will start feeling at home if he is allowed to play and rest at home most of the time.
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Give An Experience Of All Kinds Of Noises To Him
Expose your dog to each and every kind of noise to make him able to handle the situations in a better way. Give him exposure to the noises like dishwashers, lawnmowers, skateboards, bicycles, vacuum cleaners, etc. so that he does not get frightened when he hears these regular sounds in the future. This will help in increasing his self-confidence.
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Give Him all Kinds of Experiences
In order to take proper dog care, you should try to expose your dog to all kinds of experiences ranging from nail trimming, getting a bath, getting touched at the rump or any other hot spot, getting grabbed by the collar, having people near his food bowl, etc. so that you don’t get an aggressive response on every small thing and action. This will help him in getting acclimatized to all kinds of situations, and he won’t become an over aggressive dog by nature.
Help your pet to learn to socialize
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Seek Out Proper Socialization Classes For Your Puppy
Take out your puppy to a few well-structured puppy socialization classes. These classes have mature and safe dogs who can teach boundaries to the little ones. The personalities and the play style of the dogs depend upon the dog breed, and it should match their training.
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Take Your Dog to The Outdoor Events Frequently
Search out for various outdoor events of dogs being held in your locality. These events include small festivals, youth sporting events, or fundraising walks. It will give your dog exposure to interact with unknown people in unknown surroundings and will boost his self-confidence. Always take care to keep your dog under your total control.
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Make Frequent Visits to Pet Stores
Taking your dog to a pet store is a good idea as you come across several new things that you can use for proper dog care. It can be an excellent opportunity to socialize with your dog as he will also get to visit people and places and learn to interact in a positive manner.
It is good to train your dog
Conclusion
No matter, what your dog’s breed is, the above ways to socialize dogs will help you in a loving and caring manner. It will help your new family member to adapt himself to his new surroundings positively and happily. Remember, he is your best friend, and now it is your turn to be a best friend for him also by helping him in acclimatizing to the new environment.
