When you get a new dog, whether a puppy or an older pup from your local shelter, it is important that they are properly socialized. Just as with humans, socialization means learning how to become a part of society.

If you’ve ever known someone who had an anti-social dog or met a pup that seemed to snap for no reason, you surely understand the importance of socialization. When it comes to socializing dogs, we are talking about helping them learn to be comfortable as a pet within our human society, as well as with other pets. In most cases, when you meet a dog that growls or snaps out of nowhere, it is because he or she was not properly socialized at a young age. By exposing our dogs to different kinds of people, animals and environments, we can help them develop confidence and ease, all of which will go a long way in helping them become resilient in uncomfortable and challenging situations.

At Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, we make it a point to offer our clients a wide range of services and resources that will help them raise their pet to be the wonderful companion they are meant to be. We intend to provide you with the tools, guidance and knowledge you need to care for your new pet and make sure that he or she adjusts well to their new lifestyle.

Why is Puppy Socialization Important?

Before we go over some of the top tips for socializing your dog, let’s look at why puppy socialization is important.

Dogs who are well-socialized right from the start typically develop into safer, more relaxed and enjoyable pets. By exposing your new dog to many different environments, situations, people and other pets, you will be doing your part to make them more comfortable in a broad range of scenarios. Unfortunately, poorly socialized dogs are far more likely to react with fear or aggression to unfamiliar people, dogs, crowds and other situations.

Dogs that are well-socialized also live a much happier, relaxed and stress-free life. If you get a dog as a puppy, it is important that you educate yourself about proper socialization etiquette. Many people do not realize this, but dogs have a sensitive period for socialization, between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks.

We encourage you to take your pup to puppy classes and provide other socializing experienced in order to ensure they have the base to become a happy, friendly, outgoing and well-adjusted dog.

More Tips on How to Make Your Puppy More Social:

Take your new puppy places. Take them either by car, in your arms or in a child’s wagon if he or she is too big to carry. Take them to all sorts of new places, such as the hardware store, gas station, auto body shop, train station and any other place that you frequent.
Introduce your puppy to many kinds of people. Do your best to introduce your puppy to people of all different backgrounds. It is important that you make a special point of being multicultural, especially in the beginning.
Familiarize your puppy with other animals. If possible, introduce your puppy to cats, dogs and other animals. If he or she is exposed to a wide range of animals at a young age, he is less likely to treat them as prey or an enemy when they grow up.
Get your puppy used to different sounds. Many dogs are afraid of sounds they are not familiar with, such as police sirens, horns and fireworks. By doing your best to make sure your pup hears all these different noises and more, he or she will be far less likely to be afraid when they hear these sounds down the road.

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