The first exciting days when a puppy appears in a new house, turn out to be too difficult for both owners and a small creature recently weaned from its mother. Unfortunately, sometimes the plans of happy owners include concerns about quality nutrition of the baby, timely visits to the veterinarian and vaccination, well-groomed fur, but not about education in the first days and weeks stay in an unusual environment. But early socialization of a puppy is a kind of ticket to adulthood, almost a guarantee of excellent obedience and a strong nervous system dogs in the future. A socialized dog is one that managed by its owner (primarily), not by its own instincts. This is an adequate animal, capable even in unexpected situations to remain calm without unnecessary fear and aggression. In other words, adaptation to life in society for a city dog - need, otherwise in the future the animal is unlikely to succumb training, most likely, will not get along with any of the home living creatures, in a street environment will be afraid of loud noise, fuss, and on a walking platform will behave either unnecessarily crushed, or cocky. Of course, a puppy can have its own unique character, which even with a very good position all equally will make itself felt. However, in order for the dog to be managed, it will take quite hard work and help the owner. And at the initial stage of education, the main thing for a person is behave correctly, do not overdo it either with punishments or with excessive affection. If the first lessons a puppy after birth gives him mother, then from about 2 months (usually at that age puppies from the breeder get a new family) their main teacher is master.
Stages of puppy socialization
From the moment of birth until the puppy reaches the 2- or 3-week neonatal period lasts when the body of the “child” gradually improving – body temperature is getting better, heart rate, respiratory, sucking, digestive functions and discharge. The task of the newborn baby is the need get stronger. At this stage, the mother takes care of the puppy (provided lack of pathologies), but it is too early to talk about socialization.
The first period of puppy socialization
Then comes the first stage of puppy socialization – addiction to the environment, smells, sounds, brothers from litter to people. This process occurs approximately before 2 months of age. Puppy knows what hurts – mother bites or other puppies in response also takes bites. Actively leads amusing himself with toys, quickly gets tired, falls out of fatigue, and after a short time he was back in service. By this kid still fragile funny lump, but just at this stage the puppy begins to perceive himself as a dog, watching his mother and others kindred, takes on habits, repeats the same actions as adults. The human puppy is completely correctly represents as a senior comrade, but already clearly understands the differences between the owner (or one of the family members) from mother-dogs of himself.
The second period of puppy socialization
The next period of the gradual transformation of the baby into a teenager starts from 2 months, and ends with six months. At this time the puppy learns not only the world and objects, but also opportunities own body. This stage of puppy socialization is development individuality, among other individuals the puppy perfectly starts to realize that a place in the sun should be deserved. From there and still goofy but already competitive games with others brothers and sisters from the litter. When a puppy is 2 to 6 years old months already changing their place of residence, saying goodbye to both mother and become familiar breeders, and with the walls of the house where he was born, a very difficult moment comes – a small dog is alone on one with new people, an unusual home, strangers (sometimes not very friendly) four-legged pets. The kid will have to not only realize that his life will now flow in an unusual atmosphere, away from mom, but also get used to a lot of obscure things and phenomena. The main task of the owner is to support and teach maltz not afraid of other dogs while walking, people, signals cars, train rumble, noise of home appliances. Good but at the same time restrained attitude, affection and praise if successful performing any instructions of the owner (for example, if the puppy behaved obediently on a walk, did not pull the leash, did not tremble at the sight of huge neighbor dog, the owner can be fully praised brave pet upon returning home). A separate topic of the second stage of socialization – the puppy’s inability to distinguish between friends and foes. Unaware of the danger, the baby may try to flee outside territory of the house, get caught up in the beckoning man, chase after the dog. There are frequent cases of eating spoiled foods found on the ground, taking food from the hands of strangers. For re-education it is advisable not to shout at the dog (let alone beat), otherwise flight, “collecting” waste, or joyful hopping on the breast of each person will be repeated soon. Better to teach an animal for walks from an early period, persistently explaining, what should not be done. Unwanted puppy actions should accompanied by a strict and quite loud (but calm and not aggressive) voice of the owner: “It is impossible!”. By the way, even in 2-3 months puppy – a great psychologist, so connivance with the owner’s side will play a bad joke. Should not be allowed let’s say, for example, to sleep on a master’s bed, even for fun biting, beging for food from the table – further prohibitions of these actions will cause only bewilderment and disobedience on the part of the dog. By the way, even out of pity, the owner does not need to change his decisions, to for example, banning something, and then allowing it. Dog tomorrow unlikely to adequately accept the ban. In other words, the master in his actions should be consistent (“You can’t!” – it’s always categorical prohibition. Not otherwise).
The third period of puppy socialization
The third period of socialization is the threshold of puberty; lasts from about six months to 10 months. At this time the puppy of any gender begins to behave differently than in his childhood. Unexpectedly for the owner, a cute baby can turn into aggressive beast – not at all a game to offend individuals gender (usually males behave this way), overly viciously react to outsiders. It is after 6 months that the dog begins to distinguish between family members (frequent guests at home and loved ones) and completely strangers. As a rule, this line is especially pronounced in those dogs whose breeds were originally bred as fighting dogs (sometimes this also applies to hunting). Things are a bit simpler with companion dogs, which should there is no aggression, but this also affects them. Animal becomes nervous, behaves inappropriately, if from The owner has no help in solving complex dog issues.
The consequences of little attention to socialization
How can a puppy left to grow up? Maybe, he will become overly shy, possibly angry. Maybe so happen that the visible consequences of the owner’s inattention regarding the adaptation process at first glance, and will not. However in an unusual situation, such an animal is a time bomb actions. Here, unfortunately, we can recall the unfortunate owners, which give birth to massive dogs (more often fighting), and their training life among society is a “training” on homeless animals (and sometimes people), the absence of any restrictions (walking without leash and muzzle, because “the dog is kind”, etc.). In fact in fact, an animal without preparation for adulthood actually goes off with of the mind. It does not know how to behave on the street, not subject to the owner in a difficult moment, can not suppress their instincts. And especially this applies to those dogs whose life is limited by the space of the apartment or plot of garden (private) home ownership. Those who do not receive live communication with tailed brothers, who are deprived of games with the owner, who simply do not leave their home. In the end, those whose the owners could not (or did not want) to find an approach to the animal, confining himself only to caring for a full bowl and grooming, eg.
What should the owner do when he takes the puppy home?
- From day one, build a dog-dog relationship. Not necessary show the puppy that the whole world revolves around its paws. Master – it is always a leader, and his team is the law. To do this, before acquaintance with the nuances of the behavior of a particular breed (some dogs are used to dominating by nature, others obey), immediately develop a strategy of fair punishment (without screaming and beating) and well-deserved encouragement, determine the tone communication with the animal (according to the situation);
- Introduce the baby to all family members, animals, gradually demonstrate the operation of household appliances (washing machines, coffee grinders, meat grinders, etc.). If the baby is scared – reassure him, speak in a soft and quiet voice. And in a few days repeat acquaintance with a “dangerous” person or device;
- Do not give up walking. Toddlers who are not done yet all vaccinations are carried out onto the street in his hands, but at home from the first weeks at least for a while put on a collar. Then the dog is led to walks, and changing routes. An animal that is already got acquainted with the street and does not shy away at the sight of cars, you can take with you on trips to nature, to visit (if possible). Not communication and games with other dogs should be prohibited;
- From the first days, the dog must learn simple commands (“Ko me, “Near”, “Place”, “It is impossible”, “Fu”). The animal took a small step towards success – it means it has earned praise and yummy, mischievous – strict tone and brief ignoring calls to the game;
- Immediately indicate what you can and cannot do. Was higher it is said about the riskiness of allowing indulging, “because still little”.
