One of the best things about having a dog is showing him off to your friends and family and sharing your favorite outdoor activities with him. Meeting new friends and exploring the world around him is great for your dog's physical and emotional health and provides a solid foundation for the rest of his life. Dogs that never leave the house or yard grow up distrustful of people and the sights and sounds outside their familiar environment because they don't know these things won't hurt them.

Hopefully your dog's breeder began the socialization process by handling him the day the litter was born and introducing the pups to normal household sounds and experiences. Once you take your dog home, it's your job to introduce him to new stimuli so he can continue building his confidence. When it comes to encountering new experiences, young dogs are open to accepting everything you expose them to. Good socialization will give your dog the chance to learn about other people and dogs in his environment.

Choosing the Best Age

Veterinarians suggest waiting to begin taking puppies outside their home environment until after they've had their vaccinations, beginning at nine weeks of age. From seven to twelve weeks, puppies are especially receptive to people and experiences and eagerly embrace all things new and exciting. After that age they're a little more wary and may need additional time to feel comfortable with anything they're not accustomed to seeing.

Deciding How Much to Do

Every puppy is different and has different needs. The behaviors your puppy exhibits will be a combination of nature and nurture. Since you can only influence the nurture part of the equation, it is best to use a gentle but consistent approach. Allow your puppy to socialize and expose him to new experiences several times a week, but try to avoid situations that are frightening or overwhelming. If he shows signs of nervousness, help him gain confidence by taking it slower next time and reassure him with treats and lots of praise. At the very least, take your dog out several times a week. You don't need to spend hours doing this. Frequent, short jaunts of ten to fifteen minutes work nicely as long as you choose different places to go.

Where to Go

A brief walk around the neighborhood is a good beginning, but don't limit your outings to this location. Open-air shopping centers are great places to encounter children and adults, noisy skateboarders and whirling bike riders, and enticing food smells. Many public places such as the dry cleaners, car wash, and even some banks and department stores heartily welcome well-behaved dogs coming to visit. Just remember not to overwhelm your dog with too many new experiences all at once.

What to Do

When you take your dog to a new place to socialize, always have him on a leash. Not only does this begin the leash training process, but walking on his own and not being carried helps build his confidence. (Your community also may require it by law.) Casually stroll around the area and take a few minutes to greet anyone who comes up to admire your dog. It helps to bring along some treats with you. If someone stops to pet your dog, ask if they would like to give your dog a treat. This way your dog will begin to associate a new face with a positive reward.

If your dog shies away from people by hiding behind your legs, shrinking down to the ground, or shaking, resist the urge to coddle your dog. It's best to just ignore his behavior. If you don't make a fuss over his reluctance, he'll realize he's not receiving any rewards for his insecurity. The more you take him out, the more he'll become accustomed to new people and experiences.