An under socialized puppy is annoying and dangerous. Problems often include barking and fear biting. Start your puppy on the right foot by following these tips.
Playtime
Since your puppy will be interacting with people and animals of all shapes and sizes, make sure his initial exposures are safe and positive. Be very diligent in this area. Young puppies who are terrified by a larger dog will permanently imprint a fearful reaction to large dogs.
To avoid this, set up play dates with other pet owners whose pet’s you know and trust. For instance, if your neighbor has an adult Bulldog who loves everyone and everything, you should try and brief meet and greet.
Many pet stores offer times just for puppies to come and play. This is usually free. Observe your puppy at all times. Remove him from the area if he seems afraid or is being bullied.
Take your puppy with you everywhere you can. This helps him get used to different smells and sights. Keep some yummy treats close by so that you can reward good behavior. If you take him to the pet store, give him a treat as soon as you walk in the door. Let him explore at his own pace.
Most people love little puppies and want to pet them. Let everyone know that your puppy is “in training”. Hand them a treat to give to your puppy.
Take A Class
You and your puppy can benefit from attending a puppy training class. You’ll learn commands that will teach your puppy control himself, like sit, stay and quiet . Apart from learning commands, you’ll receive help and advice on socialization questions. And you’ll both make new friends. Check with local pet stores or search online to find a puppy class near you.
A class setting isn’t, however, a good first choice for a very shy puppy. If your puppy is shy to the point of hiding from everyone and everything, you’ll need to help him develop some trust before you try any of the exercises we’ve discussed above.
The Super Shy Puppy
Never force a fearful dog to accept petting. This can increase his anxiety and leaves him with a negative memory. To help a shy puppy come out of his shell, you’ll need to do a “greeting circle”. Here’s how:
Get a few of your most patient friends and give them each a handful of treats. Sit in a circle. Place you puppy in the center or if he is very shy, you can sit him next to you. Have everyone sit sideways, facing the person to their left or right. The point is to be non-threatening. Avoid direct eye contact, sudden movements, or dominant postures like leaning over the puppy.
Have your friends put a treat in their hand, close it into a fist, and place it in the circle. One at a time, have them open their hand, palm up, and encourage the puppy to come get the treat. Call his name, make kissy noises, be patient and gentle. When the puppy takes the treat, offer verbal praise. Don’t try to pet him until he’s developed a bit more trust.
Now the next person does the same exercise. Go around the circle at first. Make it easy and predictable for your puppy. When he learns the game and is voluntarily walking up to the next hand, you can change it up a bit by changing direction or having people call him at random.
When he’s happily bouncing from person to person, it’s time to arrange a one-on-one meet and greet with a very laid back puppy.
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