Turn Your Pup into a Social Butterfly!

Usually, beginning the socialization process consists of providing a safe environment for your dog to explore. Concentrate on 4 areas:

Socializing your dog to:

1. People
2. Places
3. Things
4. Other animals

In unpredictable or potentially unsafe situations, keep your dog leashed. That lets you prevent a wobbly youngster from trying to pick him up, and you can keep him off the side walk as a skate boarder zips by.

Socialize your pupppy to people

Make sure he gets plenty of experiences with both genders and a variety of races and ages. Go to the park, a parade, the beach, outside a shopping center, or to an airport if you're bold enough to pretend you belong there.

Occassionally leave your puppy in the hands of a trustworthy friend for a while. Treat the situation as a non event so your puppy is less likely to experience seperation anxiety.

Take your puppy to as many places as possible

This will help him become a savvy travelor who is acustomed to elevators, stairways, man holes and grates. Acclimate him to walking on a variety of surfaces such as gravel, wire, sand, cobblestone, linoleum and brick.

Because some dogs prefer to eliminate in their own back yard, teach him to eliminate on command in different areas, so weekend trips and the like won't be a problem.

If you want to foster enjoyment of the water and your dog isn't a natural pond puppy, walk him on a leash along the shoreline. Once he is at ease with that venture into the water. Gently tighten the leash as you go, forcing him to swim a couple of feet before you let him return to the shoreline. Never throw any dog in the water.

Let him get to know other animals

Dogs, cats, chickens, horses, goats, birds, guines pigs and lizards. Often, upon meeting a new species, a puppy is startled, then curious, then finally may become bold or aggressive. For his own protection and for the protection of the animal always keep him leashed so you can controll his distance and stop unwanted behaviors by enforcing obedience commands.

Whatever you are socializing your puppy to - animals, objects, or people - approach in a relaxed manner and avoid any situation that might intimidate the average puppy, such as a group of grade schoolers rushing at him.

Be prepared for 3 reactions:

1. Walking up to check it out and sniff
2. Apprehensive barking with hackles raised
3. Running away.

No matter what his response, remain silent. He is only thinking rationally and investigating his environment. Don't draw attention to yourself by talking, praising or petting. Allow him to explore uninterupted. This good boy is entertaining himself and being educated at the same time.

If your puppy lacks confidence or displays fear, don't console him, because this will reinforce his fear. Use the leash to prevent him from running away. If he is still slightly uncomfortable, drop some tasty bits of food on the ground. Most puppies will relax after a nibble or two because the uncomfortable situation has been positively associated with food.

The American Purebred Association has opened its stud book and is accepting registrations for all purebred dogs.