A Blog About Golden Retrievers and Dogs in General
Here Jenny and I will write and share our favorite Golden stories and articles. Hopefully we'll give some informative tips on the Golden Retriever breed that may also help those with other breeds. Feel free to comment or add to our blog. In addition, if you would like to write a story, feel free to contact us. Our goal is to keep this light hearted, heart warming, or fun. Thanks for reading!
Social Networking for Your Dog
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 08 July 2009 04:17
These days, social networking is commonplace among humans. However, socializing your dog is dog is just as important. Granted, it’s not quite as convenient to socialize dogs. This is why owners often neglect to socialize their dogs. However, this can be one of the most important elements of raising a good dog.
We’ve all seen them; those dogs that seem to be overly aggressive towards other dogs and other people. In addition, I’m sure you’ve seen dogs that were scared of their own shadows, too nervous to travel with or take places. Chances are these are dogs that were never properly socialized.
One of the first steps in socializing your new puppy is to sign up for puppy classes. These can be found in a variety of places. PetSmart, if you have one near you, offers puppy classes. In addition, many kennels and independent trainers offer puppy classes and puppy training. This will expose your puppy to other puppies and young dogs at an early age. In addition, it will expose your dog to a variety of people. This accomplishes several goals. The first goal is getting your dog comfortable with other dogs. This can help eliminate future problems with aggression towards other dogs. The second thing puppy classes will accomplish is exposing your dogs to other people, which will also help avoid aggression problems. Lastly, getting your dog comfortable with car rides and strange places will make your life and your dog’s life easier in the future.
Puppy classes are only a small part of the socialization process. It’s a good practice to take your dog (weather permitting) to as many places as possible while he or she is still young. This can help prevent a dog from becoming nervous when traveling. Nervous dogs can often become aggressive.
All of the things I’ve mentioned are important and should be standard practice for a new dog owner. However, one of the best places to socialize your dog is the local dog park. Nearly every county has some type of dog park or exercise area. Dog parks allow your dog to be exposed to a variety of breeds and dogs of varying ages. In addition, the exercise your dog will get at a dog park will also help with behavioral issues. A well exercised dog is generally a good dog.
Socializing your puppy along with positive reinforcement will result in a well acclimated puppy. Moreover, you’ll raise a dog that is friendly to other dogs and other people. What’s more, your dog will get the exercise he or she needs.
So while your puppy is whimpering for attention, maybe you should take a break from Tweeting and updating your Facebook page and sign your puppy up for puppy classes. Much like children, you can get these early years back. Enjoy every minute, because their time with us is short. Make the best of it.