How to Socialize a Puppy

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Talk to your veterinarian. In addition to making sure that the puppy is physically healthy enough to begin exposure to other dogs and people, your veterinarian will provide you with important information regarding the personality traits of your dog's breed and specific areas to work on. Ask about tendencies towards other dogs and small children.
Step 2:
Begin socializing early. The earlier you begin socializing your puppy, the quicker he will become comfortable and confident in his environment. Start the socialization process as soon as the puppy has established enough of a bond with you that it trusts you. If the puppy has not been through all of its puppy shots and immunizations, carry the puppy in your arms when you begin socialization and limit contact with other dogs until the immunizations have been completed to avoid exposure to heartworm and other potentially harmful diseases and parasites.
Step 3:
Vary your puppy's exposure. Expose your puppy to a wide variety of people so that they can become comfortable around everyone, from senior citizens to the mailman to small children. Try to take the puppy to a wide variety of locations where they will encounter people of all ages and behaviors.
Step 4:
Use caution when selecting environments. Socialization can be an overwhelming process for a puppy. Before taking your puppy to a dog park where he will be surrounded by dozens of dogs with different temperaments, introduce him to the neighbor's dog or a few at once. Use the same technique when socializing your puppy with people; ask one or two people to spend time with the puppy before taking the dog to a busy shopping center or a county fair.
Step 5:
Discourage negative behavior. Growling should never be permitted, even by small dogs that seem harmless. Growling that is ignored could eventually lead to biting as a defensive behavior and should be stopped immediately. If your dog growls at another dog or person, firmly tell him "No!" Attempt to socialize the puppy with the person he growled at later in a controlled meeting, and repeat the process until the growling behavior stops.
Step 6:
Pay attention to your puppy's reactions. When socializing your puppy, pay close attention to how he reacts to certain places, sounds, animals and people, and make mental notes of areas that may require special attention. Do not force your puppy to meet someone if he pulls away or seems scared. Instead, gently encourage him into the situation and repeatedly introduce him to the object of his fear using small treats and positive commands, like "Good boy!" and "There you go!"
Step 7:
Be patient. Socializing your new puppy will not happen overnight. Even the friendliest of dogs will encounter a situation or type of person that requires a little extra attention for them to be comfortable or learn how to behave properly. Use patience, repetition and lots of encouragement and your puppy will respond positively.

Resources

More Puppy Pages

How to Care for Puppies

Instructions Step 1: Take your puppy to the veterinarian soon after you bring him home for a checkup. He must be checked for parasites, viruses, heartworm and vaccinated against diseases. Bring a stool sample to the appointment. This will help the doctor...

Instructions Step 1: Invite a range of people and friendly, healthy pets to visit your home and visit their homes with your puppy. Have people of all ages, including children, interact with your puppy. You can have visitors, mail carriers and delivery...

How to Train a Puppy to Be Friendly With Other Dogs

Instructions Step 1: Discuss training with your veterinarian. They will have suggestions for environments that are beneficial to begin training your puppy to behave well with other dogs. They may also be able to offer some insight into possible behavior...

Hi! I’m Melanie McLeroy with Taurus Training for Expert Village and today we’re going to talk about puppies. So let’s start with socialization. Absolutely the most important thing you can do with your little puppy is to socialize him...

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Love Leash Other people Other animals Step 1: Understand that as soon as a puppy is born, they require nurturing and socialization. If the litter was only one puppy, the puppy will need to be socialized with the...