y, Katy Cable-TWR A 2 min. Read Is your dog as popular as the middle seat on an airplane? With so many people getting “a new addition” for the holidays, I thought it was important to address this very important topic. In fact, failing to properly socialize your dog can mean MAJOR headaches for everyone. Why is this such a big deal? Believe it or not, dogs that aren't properly socialized usually display serious behavioral problems making them unsuitable family pets. Nearly half the dogs relinquished to shelters have at least one behavioral problem. The most common being aggression and destructiveness. These traits are usually rooted in fear and anxiety. Hopefully you had the opportunity to begin socializing your dog as a new puppy. But it's never too early to begin exposing them to as many new people, animals, environments and other stimuli as possible. The best way to help your dog handle a variety of new experiences without having them exhibit behavioral problems is this: Each and every day, engage all your dog’s senses through exposure to the sights, sounds, and snells of daily life. In addition, expose them to new ones as often as possible. Being able to trust your dog will handle situations with acceptable behavior brings peace of mind to you and your confident canine! Here are a few suggestions to try with your new dog or puppy that has completed some basic puppy training:
With a little time and attention, you can transform most dogs into “social animals!” Not only will it be fun but you will both end up happier and in better health. 🐾 💕Speaking of “PAW-pular dogs”, big thank you's to Pupstar Sonoma's Roxy, Bono & Blue appearing in one of my all-time favorite photos which I love so much. Here’s a fun clip from their first calendar launch PAWTY! |