Socializing your puppy is important and will have a major influence on his behavior - start out slowly with socialization training – begin with one on one situations with a friend or neighbor. Work your way slowly to more demanding situations with perhaps several people and pets. Make sure you are in control of the situation – the object isn’t to frighten your dog, simply to get him used to things.

 

 

Try to ensure that your puppy meets different types of people – young and old, loud and quiet, different ethnic types. If your puppy only encounters people of a specific appearance – for example, young girls – he may be fearful or aggressive when he later encounters other types of people.

 

 

If you don’t have small children in your home, try taking your puppy to a park or playground. Try to avoid taking your puppy to areas where unvaccinated dogs may be found, unless your puppy has had all its shots.

 

 

You may want to deliberately walk where you may encounter other dog walkers – or even arrange for a friend to walk their dog at the same time.
Your puppy should be exposed to different objects, as well as people – things that we all take for granted. Introduce your puppy to such everyday – but potentially scary – things as bicycles, large boxes and children’s toys. You should also take your puppy for short – and then longer - car rides, letting the window down occasionally.

 

 

You should also expose your puppy to things that make noises or move quickly. Try exposing your puppy to such everyday things as the vacuum cleaner, television, washing machine and doorbell. Start out slowly until he has got somewhat used to these things – for example, leaving the vacuum out before switching it on.

 

 

If you live in the country, or on a quiet street, take your puppy to a noisy or crowded area. Likewise, if you live in the heart of the city, take your puppy to the countryside or to a farm to experience such strange creatures as hens, ducks and cows. Don’t let your puppy chase other animals during this time.

 

 

A small puppy treat makes an appropriate reward when socializing your puppy. At first you can reward him every time you meet another pet or person; then progress to the point where you are rewarding him only for non-fearful interactions. If your puppy seems fearful or nervous around people, ask other people to crouch down – this helps to put a nervous dog at ease.

 

 

Don’t be discouraged by the term “socialization”. If you are taking your puppy out and about, meeting people and interacting with other pets – you are basically doing that anyway.