Do Not Rush Your Puppy's Socialization Process


The big buzz word these days is socialization. Many owners are in a hurry to socialize their puppy. Nowadays, owners go through great lengths trying to socialize their puppies by placing them in every possible situation, such as walking them down every busy street, taking them to street fairs, meeting lots of different people, and meeting different dogs. Yes, a puppy becomes more confident when properly socialized in the city, but it must be done slowly and in small increments. Some situations are just too stimulating and challenging for a puppy.

There is no need to walk your puppy down the busiest downtown streets if you can't control her from jumping and pulling toward people on side streets. By working on side streets first, you can more easily move to the challenges of busier streets. It's also not wise to go rushing young puppies - under four months of age - to the park to meet other dogs. A young puppy will merely be in the way as big and more assertive dogs try to play together. There may be a more suitable area in the park where other puppy owners gather together.

The best place to start the socialization process is in your home and on your own block. Your puppy will have adequate opportunities to meet strangers when guests visit you or when meeting the neighbors on your block. As you may have heard before, the best place to socialize your puppy is by enrolling her in a puppy kindergarten class.