Dog Socialization Research Paper

Why are some dogs easy-going and relaxed around people while others aren't? Although a dog's breed and sex affect this, the more important factor is how well the dog is socialized. The first 16 weeks of the dog's life are critical. Young puppies are more open to new situations, and unlike many older dogs, their personalities aren't shaped by previous bad experiences. With a puppy, you can control these experiences and bring up a well-adjusted pet. Guidelines on socialization include:

Exposure to New Environments

Take your puppy on walks around your neighborhood. Before doing this, check out the routes by yourself to make sure there aren't problem dogs. You want your puppy to have good experiences, and exposure to unleashed aggressive dogs

will backfire on your socialization efforts. Note the time of your walk because dogs are allowed outside during specific times of the day.

The park is another place to bring your puppy. If it's a busy place, bring him to a spot that's away from the crowds to avoid overwhelming him. With repeated exposure, he will become more accustomed to the activity.

Exposure to New People

While taking your puppy on walks, allow people to pet him. There are many dog lovers who enjoy doing this. This causes your puppy to associate strangers with pleasant experiences. When people visit your home, introduce them to your pet. If he seems fearful, then keep him in a room where he can hear your visitors' voices. When he's calmer, let him out and allow him to approach on his own. Socialize your puppy to kids as well as adults.

Exposure to Other Dogs

When socializing your puppy to other dogs, make sure the dogs are friendly around puppies. It's not necessary that they play together, only that your puppy remains calm while the other dog is going about its business. Both your puppy and the other dog should be leashed in case of unexpected behavior. It's important to immediately remove your pet from a situation that makes him fearful. Protecting him in this way, increases your pet's feeling of security in your presence as well as its confidence.

While socialization is important, every dog has its limits to what it can tolerate. Many young children haven't learned how to properly interact with dogs. This can cause a dog to bite. At what point a dog will do this depends on its personality and breed. Protecting yourself from dog bite litigation requires having adequate animal liability coverage. Does your homeowner's insurance provide enough coverage? Does it cover your pet's breed?