Puppy
Domestication & Socialization
The most critical learning or
association period usually takes
place between the first sixteen weeks of the puppy's life. During this
time, it is important to teach your puppy right from wrong. Waiting
until a puppy is six months to a year old to begin training is a
mistake and risks allowing his behavior to get out of hand. Remember: a
puppy's attitude toward life and his environment is generally formed by
the time he is sixteen weeks of age.
The more loving interaction you establish early in your puppy's life,
the stronger the bond your dog will have with you later. Plan to spend
at least two periods a day playing with your puppy. Use playtime to
teach your puppy the basic training commands (for more basic training
information, read "Basic Puppy Trainng").
Through
socialization, your puppy will learn to trust. Puppies that are not
socialized at an early age develop fears which tend to regress into
patterns of behavior much like those of their undomesticated relatives,
causing many problems for today's dog owners. Introduce him to the
sights and sounds of your neighborhood. Let him meet other people and
dogs, being careful to choose dogs that you know to be gentle. If you
are new to a neighborhood, it is advised that you first meet the people
and dogs on
your own, before introducing
your dog to the mix.
Throughout his life, your
puppy will need to be handled by a number of different people. Get your
puppy used to being handled by setting up a daily grooming routine.
Brush your puppy, with lots of affection and reassurance to make it a
special time for both of you. While grooming, handle your puppy's feet
and ears and open his mouth. This can help make visits to the
veterinarian, as well as administering pills to your dog, much easier.
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