socialize!

jackierobinson

Forums Regular
We found our sheltie! Hagrid came home with us on Saturday! He is a 4 month old puppy and he is so sweet! I need tips on how to help socialize him. He is getting to know us, but he is still quite reserved about EVERYTHING. Comments please!
 
When Zak was a puppy I took him to Lowes and to local shopping centers to walk around and meet people. The library is a good place too.
 
Ohh, a puppy named Hagrid. Next time I hear from Robbie I'll have to tell him there's a sheltie named after him.
 
Just take your pup everywhere with you! If he's had all his shots, he can walk next to you. If he hasn't, just carry him when you're in places frequented by other dogs.

I went out of my way to show my pups different things. You know how with kids mothers will point out very little thing in the sun? "Oh look! What's this? It's a snail!" or "Oh let's go walk on the sand! Do you like sand? Yay sand!" or whatever. Do that with your pup. You will look silly to others, I guarantee you, but it's worth it! :lol:

You need to socialize him to diff sounds (loud, soft, high pitched, squeaky, low), sights (everything from parks to construction), people (young, old, skinny, fat, wearing hats, holding umbrellas, with beards), animals (other dogs, pups and adults, cats, rabbits), flooring (sand, gravel, grass), etc. But ensure each interaction is a positive one (don't push too much too fast - work your way up from a quiet park to a shopping mall on weekends, and I praise and treat for interacting with strange things) and be careful never to compromise your pup's health and safety.
 
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puppy class- Petsmart, Petco, local pet store. great for socialization. I had Cranberry in two puppy classes as soon as I could get him enrolled. 6 months and nothing fazes him and he loves everyone :smile2:
 
Just take your pup everywhere with you! If he's had all his shots, he can walk next to you. If he hasn't, just carry him when you're in places frequented by other dogs.

I went out of my way to show my pups different things. You know how with kids mothers will point out very little thing in the sun? "Oh look! What's this? It's a snail!" or "Oh let's go walk on the sand! Do you like sand? Yay sand!" or whatever. Do that with your pup. You will look silly to others, I guarantee you, but it's worth it! :lol:

You need to socialize him to diff sounds (loud, soft, high pitched, squeaky, low), sights (everything from parks to construction), people (young, old, skinny, fat, wearing hats, holding umbrellas, with beards), animals (other dogs, pups and adults, cats, rabbits), flooring (sand, gravel, grass), etc. But ensure each interaction is a positive one (don't push too much too fast - work your way up from a quiet park to a shopping mall on weekends, and I praise and treat for interacting with strange things) and be careful never to compromise your pup's health and safety.

Excellent advise. That is how I socialize my pups.:smile2:
 
Once you've worked up to shopping malls, you may find they are the best for meeting friendly people. In Florida, many of our malls are 'open air,' so dogs are allowed (even into many stores) and welcomed as long as they are firendly and the owner cleans up after them. It's great to just sit on a bench in a good location. People and children (something I think those of us without forget about sometimes) will just come up and ask to pet him. If they don't ask, you can ask them not to touch your dog in a firm but polite manner. Treats usually soothe any bumpy moments.
 
Congrats on finding your puppy!

Socialization is important, but can be tough when they are young.

Here is an excellent checklist to go through to make sure your puppy has been exposed to about everything:

http://www.brisbeethewhite.com/id29.htm

Have fun with it. Socializing puppies is always really entertaining, and a good way to waste time.
 
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