socialize

Objects

Introduce your puppy to as much as you can, but at a slow pace, you don't want to overwhelm them. Let your pup become familiar and comfortable with the world around them. Protect them from harm but don't encourage their fear by "babying" them, simply be in control and let them know that it's all right; let them approach new things at their own pace.

Introduce them to everyday objects they will face, such as:

- Household appliances, including the vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, garbage disposal, etc.

- A broom and mop being used

- Household tools in use: hammer, saw, sander, or other commonly used tools

- A plastic garbage bag being shaken open, and a crumpled paper bag

- A metal cookie sheet being dropped on the floor

- The garbage truck out front and a motorcycle zooming down the street

- Yard tools, including lawn mower, a weed whacker, leaf blower, etc.

- Children's toys including some that make noise

- Balloons

- Anything else that is part of your everyday household life that will now be part of puppy's

In introducing them to these things, don't put the dog in any danger, when introducing them to a hammer, for example, don't let your puppy too close while it is in use. When your puppy begins to sniff and respond correctly to an object, gently praise them and treat them if you wish.

There's nothing better than a well socialized dog, their everyone's best friend! Dogs are naturally taught socialization and how to behave to one another by their mother but once the dog leaves its mother, the socializing is YOUR responsibility. Socializing isn't just having your puppy meet a few people, and see, hear, and smell a couple of things here and there, you must introduce them to everything they will be facing in their new life with you. Remember, Socialization is a process that never really ends, just keep your pet as social as your life allows them to and include them in as many activities as a pet can be included in.

Places

Take your puppy to as many surroundings as you can, but again, at a slow pace, you don't want to overwhelm them. While on your outing, let them meet new people, explore, and see new things, but always have them leashed (not retractable, 6 foot the most), remember, you are their safety net.
Take them to places like:

- Take them along for a ride with you (in their crate of course; be sure to introduce them to their "den" before hand) around the town while you run errands, just be sure you don't leave them alone, not even for "a second"

- The Pet supply store, they can meet new people, dogs, and see and learn new things

- The veterinarian's office, without an appointment, just walk him in and have the receptionist give them a treat, making the vet not such a scary place

- Pack a picnic and take them out to a local park

- Take a walk by an elementary schools around recess; in front of nursing homes, neighbor's houses

Along the way, take treats for your dog, ask if children or adults want to give one to the dog and a little pat on the head. If your neighbor has a healthy and well vaccinated dog, slowly introduce them, with complete owner control, have them leashed. Be selective with what animals your pup is going to meet, however. And remember, when taking your dog out, bring their water, and some treats, and have them wearing their collar or harness attached to their leash.

People

Introducing your puppy to people is VERY important in their lives, you not only need to introduce them to your family and friends, but strangers, a large variety of people, men, women, and children, people with deep voices, high voices, children passing by, etc. You can throw a small party and invite friends, family and neighbors of men, women and an age variety of children, have your dog near by but not directly in the midst of the get together, you don't want to frighten or overwhelm them, introduce at your dog's pace. Be sure when introducing them to strangers that you are packing some yummy treats.

Most people believe, offer your hand for the dog to sniff, then pet them, this is actually the WRONG way to introduce yourself to a dog
The proper way to introduce:

Before you let somebody pet your dog be sure to hand them a yummy dog treat to offer your pup, have them kneel to your dog's level (if they can't, raise your dog to them) to make your dog feel a little more comfortable, once your dog takes the treat, THEN they can pet them.

Special Note for children: Now when introducing your dog to children, you must first be sure that the child knows how to behave around and respect a dog. Of course, all children will, at one time or another, get rowdy, and not every child will be "introduced" to your dog, so what do you do about those little excited passerby children? Well like all things your dog must be taught gradually. After your dog is social around people, have a child (that you explain to) help you out. First, with treats handy, and your dog beside you, have the child walk by, then have the child gradually build up to a run, reward the dog for good behavior, over time build up to the child talking as they pass and even screaming past, and it'd be a good idea to add more than one child in the sessions, you can also add bikes and scooters, etc. BUT remember, do this GRADUALLY over time, a few weeks, or months, and be sure that the children CLEARLY know what you are teaching the dog. Be sure, also, to treat the dog for good behavior, and at the end of the sessions, have the children CALMLY approach the dog with a treat. Make sessions short, don't overwhelm your pooch and before you know it, kids running by won't be a problem.

What NOT to do in the socializing process

Don't try to introduce your pup to all things at once, overwhelming them is just as bad as not socializing them. Socialization should be a gradual process taking place over the first few months of puppy's life. During the first week that your new doggie is home, keep introductions and socialization indoors, introducing them to things in and around the home, where they will spend a lot of time. During their second week at home, take them outside a little more, and begin to introduce them to the great big world out there. In all the fun of socializing your new addition, be it puppy or adult, keep in mind these boundaries you must take to protect your pooch:

- Don't let kids run, scream & yell while playing with your dog, this will scare the dog
(To teach your dog to become comfortable in that situation, see "people" above)

- Don't let people grab your dog away from you and/or hug them [tightly]

- Don't let kids throw themselves on you dog or grab at them

- Don't allow people to blow in his face

- Don't let people treat him roughly

Remember, before letting anyone do anything (pet, pick up, etc.) be sure to let them know not to hurt, surprise or frighten the pup, you may now always have treats handy so be sure to socialize your pet early in their life.