Puppy Socialization 101

You've got a new puppy and you are looking forward to many happy years of bringing your dog with you nearly everywhere - the dog park, long hikes, friends' houses, road trips, campsites, your neighborhood, maybe even the local cafe where he can loll at your feet and thump his tail charmingly at all who pass by, inviting pats on the head and belly rubs. You envision your dog as an ambassador for his species, a friendly and relaxed diplomat able to charm your friends, other canines at the dog park, children and maybe even - gasp! - cats (perhaps there is hope for world peace, after all).

So how do you bring up your pup to become this social butterfly, this gracious and amicable friend to all? You might think it's very simple and only a matter of giving your new puppy exposure to as many adults, children, and other dogs as possible, letting any and all pet and cuddle her or engage her in play. Surprisingly, you'd be wrong, according to San Francisco dog trainer Dan Perata, a canine behaviorist with 25 years of experience coaching people - and their dogs - on the nuances of good canine citizenry.

When it comes to the dog park, it may be tempting to put your puppy down and let him 'make friends' and play with all the other dogs, but the problem with this, says Dan, is that by and large the other owners aren't closely watching their pets in the way he recommends and the environment isn't nearly controlled enough for a puppy's introduction to the social world of dogs.

"The ideal situation is one in which you can carefully introduce your puppy to a group of other dogs whose owners are equally invested in monitoring and controlling the dynamic," explains Perata, "and where behavior can be vigilantly observed and positively or negatively reinforced as needed." Try asking your dog-owning friends to make 'play dates' with you in a safe space where only your own dogs can hang out and play, thus eliminating the wild card of an unknown dog and its owner. You can also enroll your puppy in training classes, the ultimate in a controlled canine interactive environment, or have them spend time at 'doggie day care,' where professionals will likewise work on proper doggie etiquette with your latest family member.

Nothing attracts a crowd like a cute new puppy. You might find yourself dealing with multiple requests to pet your pup on your morning walk. It might be tempting to smile and say yes and then stop to let your pup greet the stranger, accepting pets and perhaps even putting his paws on the new person. This is a big mistake, says Dan, cautioning "What you've just taught your dog is that you are not his master, but everyone is, and that's a recipe for disaster."

Dan suggests responding to the friendly stranger with an answer of yes and a request that they wait just a minute. Keep walking your dog past the person and then, several feet away, stop, turn, and make your dog sit. Tell the stranger your dog's name and allow her to call your dog to her, something along the lines of, 'This is Spartacus, go ahead and call his name.' Once the stranger calls your dog you may allow it to go greet her while you vigilantly monitor his behavior and reinforce proper manners such as not jumping up and putting paws on others.

"Now what you've taught your dog is that you're the pack leader and that it follows your direction and no one else's," says Dan, "as well as basics such as not to jump up or make overtures to strangers."

These early socialization techniques are only the first building blocks to good dog manners and the beginning of a lifetime of healthy, safe interactions with people, children, and other creatures. Please check back with us for more techniques on socialization and other topics related to happy, healthy, well-behaved dogs.