SOCIALISING - MEETING PEOPLE AND OTHER DOGS.
Your puppy needs to learn how to get on with other puppies and dogs as soon as possible.The first three to four months of a puppy's life are the most critical period for socialisation. Well socialised puppies are less fearful and better behaved as adult dogs
However, until your puppy is fully protected by vaccination (usually a week or two after the vaccination course is completed, - your vet will tell you when), it should not be allowed to mix with other dogs .
Be aware that puppies should not be taken to parks or walked in other areas where other dogs may have fouled. They can be taken out as much as possible into places not used by other dogs,and can be carried, if necessary, should you come across fouled areas or other dogs.
You will also find that carrying your puppy - allowing it to snuggle up - will help you bond with each other.It will also get lots of "Aahs" from your friends and passers-by.
However, when you are walking with your puppy, as an aid to training, and for your puppy's safety, leads and collars should always be worn by your pup during the socialisation process.
Puppies need to meet children, and to be comfortable with them.
This can be a little difficult if you have no children in your immediate family, but do try.
It is important that the children are taught how to deal with a new puppy, which at the same time will be fearful and playful.
Make sure that the child understands very, very clearly that a puppy is not a toy. It has feelings. it can be hurt, and it also can hurt.
The child must learn not to tease or bully the puppy, and the puppy must learn not to jump up or nip during play.
The first three to four months of a puppy's life are the most critical period for socialisation, with well socialised puppies making less fearful and better behaved adult dogs.
You will find that training is much easier if a puppy has been properly socialised.
While obedience training can be successful at any age, socialisation is best accomplished early in a puppy's life. In these first few months, puppies can enjoy positive experiences, all of which can help to create a more confident and less fearful and less aggressive dog later in life, whereas negative experiences during this critical stage are likely to be remembered for the rest of the puppy's life and have adverse effects on the puppy's adult temperament.
START EARLY.
After three to four months of age, the puppy's personality has become more firmly established and socialisation becomes much less effective. So the lesson is - start early! You will find it far easier to train a dog which is comfortable in the company of other dogs, of children, and of adults if it has been properly socialised. Time spent on this is rarely wasted.
Try to introduce your puppy to as many new experiences as possible, and always try to make those new experiences a joyful occasion. Puppies love to have fun - you have fun with them!
YOUR NEW PUPPY MEETS YOUR OLDER DOG.
Introducing a new puppy to an established dog already in the household can be difficult, and you should plan how you will do this, bearing in mind the temperament of the older dog.
It is often a good idea to take your older dog with you when you collect your puppy, and to show lots of affection towards the older dog at the first meeting.
If each has their own crate in the car, they can initially become accustomed to each other without physical contact.
When you bring your new puppy into the house, again do not ignore your older dog, but give plenty of fussing and even lots of treats.
Remember, your older dog is a long standing family member and must be given due respect as you introduce your puppy to its home.
Your older dog will already have his territorial boundaries set, and will have bonds and protective tendencies towards family members.
You are going to spend a lot of time with your puppy when house-breaking and general training, and it is important that the older dog should not be neglected. It is your ultimate goal to have two doggy chums, not stressed-out room-mates.
By understanding the differing needs and personalities of puppy and older dog you can have a peaceful and rewarding "coming together." Try not to introduce a competion for affection - love each at the same time.
Later on, the two dogs will have to learn which one of them is 'Boss', and surprisingly it may not be the older one.
It is important that you keep out of this pecking order process - they will sort it out themselves., although you must obviously be wary of bullying.
It is popular these days to look for the pack leader. This can only be one person - you! Each dog must defer to you, but after that, let them take care of which is dominant and which submissive - it is a natural process.
However, on the rare occasions when aggression is too prevalant, do not be afraid to take advice from your local Dog Whisperer ( or Animal Behaviourist as they are more correctly known), but let us hope it will not come to that. With a little care and a lot of love everything should be lovely.
Enjoy your family of dogs.
All information on this site is given in good faith, but should never be taken as final authorative advice. In all cases of doubt or query you are strongly advised to check the position with an expert - and your vet is the person to see first.
