Socializing DogsSocialing dogs is an important part of training. By nature --- dogs are social animals, they live in packs. But because we raise them in our homes, they can become timid,fearful and overly protective. This can cause dangerous and unpleasant situations. An under-socialized dog may act aggressive and bite. It may pull away from you and run. It may hurt you by jerking your arm everytime it sees something stimulating.
Socializing dogs early - means you can have more fun at dog parks, doggie play groups or just taking a good old fashioned walk...Begin socializing your dog early in its puppy years. Put a leash on your dog and take walks. Careful if it's a puppy --- wait until the dog's innoculations will protect your puppy from infectious diseases and your vet says its OK to be outside. How-to Handle an Under-Socialized Adult Dog...Many people adopt or rescue adult dogs from the shelter. One of the reasons why the dog ended up in the shelter, in the first place, is because its owner did not take the time to socialize the dog.Now it's your problem --- I recommend you take your adult dog to obedience classes. Socializing dogs starts with training your dog to walk properly on a leash. You must walk your dog, outside of its home and yard, so that it learns to be less territorial, and to welcome encounters with other people and dogs. Dog trainer, Cesar Milan, points out that many adult dogs, especially large breeds, are acting-out because they are not getting enough exercise. That's simple! He recommends using a treadmill for your dog, to make sure it is getting enough exercise, and thus "burn off" some of its aggressive behavior. Also, it is helpful to walk your dog, calmly, in groups with other humans and calm dogs. In this way, the under-socialzed dog learns the proper way to behave and walk. It learns by example.
Learning how-to walk on a leash...It may seem like a simple thing...but many people do not know how-to use the leash properly. Keep the dog close to your body, and keep the leash lifted upward.In our home, we found that a leash that hooked in front of the dog --- completely solved the problem of a Bichon that pulled and made walking uncomfortable. Beware of using retractable leashes. If the dog gets upset and pulls away, you lose control of the dog. The results of this can be tragic.
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