Socializing as Your Dog Grows Up
Puppy parents can be so attentive in their desire to make everything as wonderful — and correct — as possible for their “baby.” As the pup grows and settles into the family routine, though, the attention to detail tends to fall off. One area where this happens is socialization. With a pup who may have gone to puppy kindergarten and even a beginner's obedience class and who is now used to riding in the car and visiting other friends and family members, you might easily feel that the dog is adequately socialized. But you would be wrong.
If new experiences and encounters aren't introduced on a regular basis, your dog may become rigid. Spending more and more time with his immediate family and less and less time out in the great wide world can cause him to be more suspect of strangers and new environments. Meanwhile, his constant proximity to you and your family may bring out defensive or territorial behavior when someone new comes along.
Providing a change of scenery is good for your dog and usually for you, too. Get out an area map, find a new park to explore, and pack your dog and your kids in the car to go check it out. Be sure to pack water for everyone.
Find out what time the local elementary school lets out and take your kid-friendly dog there for a walk. You'll see the kids will be more than happy to come say hello and pet your dog. Go for a stroll along the sidewalks of a small shopping area where people of all types are coming in and out of stores with packages and carts. They will gladly take a break to say hi to your pooch. Every such opportunity is a good one.
Life Changes and Your Dog
As part of your family, your dog will feel the stresses of changes in the lives of everyone in the family. Grown children heading to college, the passing of close relatives, contentious holidays — your dog will sense the emotions surrounding these occasions. Take care to reassure her that she is a valued member of the family no matter what, and consider lifting both your moods by going for ice cream or a long walk on the beach when you're feeling blue.
In the end, the concept is simple: The more friendly and positive experiences your dog has with a variety of people, places, and things, the more confident and calm he'll grow up to be and remain.
