First Coast Pet

As mans best friend, we want our darling pooch to be well behaved in the varied social situations it finds himself. This education needs to commence while the puppy is young. We want the puppy not to be frightened or aggressive towards individuals or other animals. Puppy socialisation is a crucial part of dog training.
Studies at Veterinary Medicine College at Cornell showed that the first 12 weeks are key, and the easiest for socialisation. For many puppies this period is dealt with by the dog breeder. After that initial 3 months it is still key, but takes more energy and effort. This is also the experience of professional London dog sitters who are regularly asked for tips.
Dogs are so similar to us humans, if the first time is agonising, we will keep away from or be anxious in the future, so take things slowly and small. Do not compel the puppy. Take no risks. Remember young puppies tire easily and need to rest often, so short and often is a rule to follow.
So what practical things should we do?
• Invite friends and family, petit, large, different looking, different sexes. Be careful and vigilant with introductions to kids.
• Introduce him to a collar and then a leash. For short periods just leave the collar on him, later attach the leash and let him wander around with it, then you can walk him around a bit with it on. Only use a lightweight buckle collar with a puppy.
• Visit your friends and families in their houses.
• Try and meet diverse fidos, especially other friendly, healthy and vaccinated mutts. Be prudent until the puppy is fully vaccinated, meeting mutts that you do not know.
• If you know family with hound friendly cats, see if you can visit?
• Meet other animals, do you have a friendly farm near you? Difficult in cities, but if you go away for holidays.
• Life in a car is key. So take mutt out for as many convenient short rides in the car. Stop and let pooch watch the world pass by, in the security of the car. This will introduce him to noisy. Initiate him to others such as drills.
• Take or walk him to spots where there is local bustle such as the mall and open spaces. Find a pub or coffee house where you can sit outside with your dog and watch the world go by. Loads of people will come and say hi to him.
• Keep him close to activities in the house, within the constraints of safety, vacuuming, cooking and gardening.
• Puppy grooming, a great time for you and him, start a routine as soon as possible of brushing, bathing and inspection.
• Careful with training the pup on stairs, if you are a typical city flat owner, this may be more difficult.

Dog socialisation, do not procrastinate and do something today and have a great sociable dog.

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