Dogs are man's best friend, right? All dog parents want their
pets to be happy, healthy, and to live a full life. One of the
best ways to ensure that this happens is to take the time to
socialize your best friend with other people and with other
dogs. Socializing a dog will allow the dog to become familiar
with different situations and reduce the occurrence of anxiety or other behavior issues.
Introducing Your Dog to Other People
Socializing your dog can begin the first day you bring your new
dog home, or at anytime if you already have a dog. When you
begin training your dog, keep
things low-key. If they get highly excited, it's more difficult
to work with a dog. Get your dog used to the sound of your
voice in a normal volume. Pet them, rub their belly or scratch
them behind the ears--whatever seems to work. As they enjoy the
attention, they'll come to associate good feelings with your
presence.
When your dog is comfortable with you, bring another family
member into the scenario. This may take some time; you have to
judge your dog and go by their timetable. If you're introducing
a new person into the socializing process, it might be a good
idea to have them take the dog for a walk with you accompanying
to ease any stress the dog may feel. As your dog becomes more
social, introduce more people in the same quiet, easy-going
manner. Soon your dog will realize that people are good to be
around and lots of fun, too.
Training Your Dog for Small Children
Care should be taken when introducing a dog to a small child.
Dogs who seemingly get along fine with adults might not like
children who tend to be more vocal and can startle a dog
easily. Also, children can be more tactile, wanting to reach
out and touch a dog before the dog is comfortable. While a
child might like nothing more than to show the doggy how much
they love him with a big hug, some dogs will not tolerate such
behavior. Even if there are no small children in your house,
you never know who you might meet while on a walk with your
dog, or who eventually might be in your house if you invite
guests with small children to your home. Regardless of how
well-behaved your dog is with children, never leave them alone
with any child under the age of eight, or any child who your
dog is not familiar with.
A good habit to get into while walking your dog is to use the
"heel" command. When someone
approaches you and asks if they can pet your dog, have Fido
sit, and then ask the the person to let your dog sniff their
hand before petting. Most dogs enjoy the attention, and will
soon welcome new greeters by sitting immediately with a
wagging tail, just waiting for
the love.
Meeting Other Dogs
Socializing your dog with other dogs is a smart thing to do,
even if you have no intention of owning multiple dogs at the
same time. Dogs are very social creatures and sometimes just
need to have the company of their own kind. This is why dog
parks are so popular. It is such a joy to watch dogs interact
and play with each other. However, if you have a dog who isn't
socialized, you and your dog could miss out on this great
experience.
Before joining the local dog park and thrusting Fido into the
mix, start off by taking your dog for a walk with a friend and
their dog that has, preferably, an easy-going temperament and
that is known to act well with other dogs. Keeping the dogs on
their leashes with firm control is important, especially at the
initial meeting. Just give them time to sniff each other and
make their introductions, and then begin walking them. Watch
how they interact, and you may soon see a companionship
forming.
If you join a dog park, it's best to bring Fido when it isn't
too crowded. Ease your dog into the group, which might be a bit
overwhelming at first. Go by your dog's timetable. You have to
read their cues to see when they are ready to interact with
others, whether people or canines.
Properly socializing your pooch is a wonderful gift you can
give your dog, your family, and yourself. It may take some
time, but the benefits you reap will last a lifetime. It will
make for a happier, healthier dog who is more enjoyable to be
around and who is truly a member of your family. That is
something all dogs want -- and deserve.
How do you do it for the individual breeds? Below you can find
an example in Bichon Frise.
Socialize Your Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a
small white dog with a thick, puffy coat. As adults, they range
from 10 to 22 pounds. These dogs can make wonderful pets with
proper training and handling. They are widely regarded as
social, friendly dogs, but even dogs with excellent genes can
become skittish or aggressive without proper socialization.
Further, every dog is an individual whose behavior can be
influenced by a variety of factors, so not all Bichons Frises
conform to what is "normal" for the breed. To ensure a healthy,
happy Bichon Frise, socialize your dog from a young age and
consider enrolling your dog in a training class. Owners of Bichons Frises
should note that lapdogs, in general, tend to be clingier than
many other breeds.
Energy Level
Bichons Frises retain a playful, puppy-like disposition
well into adulthood, making them a good choice for families
who want to romp in the backyard. They do not, however,
require much exercise. A brief walk once or twice a day
easily meets the dog's exercise needs. Because of their low
exercise requirements, these dogs are unlikely to become
hyper when they live in urban environments. These dogs are
highly friendly and outgoing, and timidity or aggression
are red flags that a dog needs the help of a qualified dog
trainer or veterinarian.
Sociability
Bichons Frises are highly sociable and bond strongly with
their owners. They can be needy, and will paw at their
owners to get attention. Despite this neediness, the Bichon
Frise also has a strong independent streak. They may also
become jealous of other dogs. They are
generally gentle with
children and other pets. However, some poorly bred
bichons frises are skittish, which can result in fear
biting. Proper socialization is vital for puppies who show
signs of timidity. Because of their small size, Bichons
Frises are easily frightened by rough handling, so small
children should be closely supervised with these dogs.
Intelligence
The Bichon Frise is highly intelligent, which can be a
mixed blessing. Left to their own devices, these dogs may
come up with novel ways to entertain themselves and can be
destructive when they are bored. They are only moderately
trainable, and have a reputation for being uncooperative
when bored. Owners should make training sessions brief and
fun. Bichons Frises are highly receptive to positive,
reward-based training methods.
Behavior Problems
Because of their independent dispositions, Bichons Frises
can be difficult to house train. Owners should begin
training early and use a crate to prevent accidents.
Bichons Frises can also suffer from separation anxiety, and
should not be left alone for long periods of time. They
also have a tendency to bark excessively, and frequently
overreact to noises with long bouts of barking.
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