Dogs Are Animals, Not Humans

Our dogs are a part of our family. We pamper them with favorite toys and pedicures, so sometimes it is easy to forget that they are not human.  It is vital to the health of your dogs physical and emotional state to remember that dogs must be treated as dogs. This means they must have to opportunity to hang out with their own kind.

Many times we bring home a puppy and the new family member never gets acquainted with anyone outside the family, other than visits to the vet and groomer, which aren’t usually the highlight of a doggy day. While our pet may meet and get along with our friends who come to visit, she needs four-legged friends of her own and even if you have more than one dog she needs to socialize outside the house.

Is this really necessary? Yes, it is say the experts because dogs who are properly socialized early in their life tend to interact with others as friends, not foes. Dogs who are not permitted this needed connection are shown to be more aggressive.

Socializing a puppy is easy, although you should wait until she’s completed her puppy vaccines, including rabies, before taking her out into the world.  Puppies are more likely to be interested in meeting a new dog and curiosity will outweigh caution.  The puppy is still too young discern the difference between our acquaitances and total strangers.

If your community has one, a dog park is the best place to introduce your puppy to the world.  Some well-planned dog parks even have special sections for small puppies to keep them safe from their bigger brothers. This is also a good opportunity for you to talk to other puppy enthusiasts to find out if their dog is interested in making friends. But also remember to play the field if the first connection goes sour, there are other dogs in the park.  If your dog gets along especially well with another dog there, then talk to the owner about arranging future play dates for your pets.

If you don’t have a dog park in your area, look for local parks, paths, or even pet shops to take a stroll.  But regardless of the venue, don’t leave the leash at home. Some dogs don’t take kindly to the leash, although pups tend to be more accepting. Although it’s tempting to rush in for a pet, always ask permission before going up to another person’s dog.

Use these same guidelines for grown dogs as well. If your older pet gets too excited around strangers, then reconsider the dog park plan.  You might be better off trying a canine day care center or kennel that can offer supervised social interactions for Rover.  Look for a center that can train your dog to get over his apprehension. If you believe that his aggession has escalated to the point where he could cause someone harm, consider finding a qualified teacher to work with your dog.

You will discover that this extra effort will pay big dividends when your dog is in the presence of others. This is a must if you plan to bring home another puppy, ensuring that the new member of your family is welcomed by all.

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