Puppy Social Behavior

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First Introductions for Puppy

You need to encourage your puppy with his favorite food or with a favorite toy when making introductions to strangers. Have a friend squat and turn to the side if necessary. Tell them to avoid eye contact at first and to reach for the puppy palms up hands close to the floor. Have your friend offer the bait or toy I this manner. You will support your puppy and use a marker word such as "yes!" for behaviors you want repeated. Never coddle your puppy by saying "its ok, its ok, your fine." The words don't matter so much its how these phrases are generally said that is a problem. The tone and inflection in the voice suggests that there is something to be avoided or feared. So you inadvertently encourage shyness or fear of your friend. Instead your friendliness, acceptance of the person and marker words of encouragement accompanied by well timed bait or a toy from the subject will teach your puppy to look forward to meeting and greeting strangers.

Puppy Should Ride in Cars

Another social experience often overlooked is riding in cars. If your puppy only rides in the car to go to the vet where she gets a shot and poked and probed by strangers, your puppy could learn to fear the car rides or be very nervous. Take your puppy on regular outings in the car which are enjoyable to your puppy. Go out to the drive through for fries, a cheeseburger, or a chicken quesadilla. Remember to cut back on your dog's food when supplementing with high calorie, high fat training foods.

Use Your Imagination

Have fun planning social events for you and your puppy. Be creative about things to do and places to go. Keep your puppy current on shots and avoid high dog trafficked areas, such as dog parks and vets (carry your puppy), and pet stores, until your puppy has completed his puppy pack (shots).

Puppy Classes

If you choose to take a puppy preschool class or a puppy kindergarten class make sure that the instructor requires proof of shots on all puppies and dogs coming to class. I do not recommend classes for dogs and puppies together. Puppies two to six months should be separated from older dogs due to the difference in maturity. One bad experience for a puppy with an older more confident adult dog can damage your puppy for life.

In seventeen years of training I have seen first hand the benefits of good careful socialization. I have also seen the difficult behavior problems that can develop from no socializing or socializing that is done incorrectly. I encourage you to socialize your puppy by taking advantage of a good puppy kindergarten class. Go socialize and remember to have fun!