What does "socializing your puppy" mean?
Exposing your puppy to as many new people, animals and experiences as possible
When you socialize your puppy, you expose him to everything that he may encounter and need to handle as an adult. This includes people and animals of all types, situations (such as high traffic areas and quiet country areas,) experiences (going to the vet, riding on an elevator) and objects (statues, umbrellas, and other potentially scary things.) If you plan on having a working dog, it also means introducing him to the "tools of his trade"- noisy dog shows, being handled by strangers, agility equipment, gunfire, etc.
When do responsible breeders start socializing their puppies?
At birth
Responsible breeders usually ensure that their puppies are habituated to many things from birth. They will handle the pups and get them used to human contact. They will expose the pups safely to normal household situations- children, other animals, vacuum cleaners and the like. As the pups grow older and begin to move about, the responsible breeder will make sure that they are introduced to many new situations. For example, by the age of 8 weeks, my pup will already have been exposed to dogs, cats, game birds, show stacking, new people, dog crates, and many other things.
What is the primary reason that socialization is vitally important?
Preventing fears in adult dogs
During the socialization period, puppies form views on which things are safe and which are not. These opinions last for life! Thus, if the pup has pleasant experiences with something, it will be happy to accept that thing for life. If the puppy is scared by something, it may develop a lifelong fear. After the socialization period ends, the dog is apt to be afraid of anything new and unfamiliar that it meets. In many cases, this leads to problems. Dogs who are not socialized to children, for example, may be afraid of them and tend to bite them as adults.
What age do most dog experts believe is the optimal age for a socialization program?
7-16 weeks
Most experts believe that optimal socialization occurs during the time that, in nature, the puppy would be weaned and would just be starting to interact with others in the pack. During this time, the pup is "programmed" to be curious, approach new things, take in as many experiences as possible and process them as "good" or "bad." After the socialization period, acclimation to new objects and situations is much more difficult, as the dog will become cautious.
Puppies that are to grow up to be guard dogs should not be socialized to strangers, so that they will be more wary of them as adults.
FALSE
In fact, it's vital that potential guard dogs be intensively socialized, as they must, as adults, be able to distinguish between normal, harmless human behavior and dangerous human behavior. A good guard dog will not bite a stranger running, screaming child, a poorly-socialized one often will
Do you know what you should NOT do if your puppy seems afraid of something?
Reassure the puppy, using a high tone of voice to tell him "It's OK, that won't hurt you."
If you reassure the puppy, he will interpret your words, which he cannot understand, as praise for his fear! Do not reward fearful behavior. Many pups will regain their boldness when they see you approach the object without fear. The pup should be rewarded for any approaches towards the object. If he is really afraid, back off to a "safe" distance where the pup is calm, then gradually approach the feared object (this may take several sessions), rewarding the pup for calm behavior.
When it comes to people is it most vital to socialize your puppy extensively with...
Men and children
Studies have shown that the most common "people phobias" in dogs are of men and of children. Pups need to be socialized to ALL people, but take extra time with these groups!
When socializing your pup with people, it is most important to...
Make sure the experience is pleasant for the puppy
Remember that these experiences are designed to instill a good attitude about people in your puppy! Allowing anyone to frighten or intimidate the pup at this time can cause lifelong fears.
According to dog behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar, how many different people should your puppy meet between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks?
At least 100
That's about three people per day! It really isn't a difficult goal, and it's worth it for your pup.
Socializing dogs is very important and it's up to YOU as a responsible dog owner.
Do the right things, be a strong pack leader and you'll have a well behaved, confident and social dog that will be obedient too. Good dog behavior depends on you to lead the dog!
Control and prevent symptoms of ear infections in dogs, cats or horses. Find out more about using an all natural remedy for dog ears treatment of ear mites or common ear infections. Get fast relief for your dogs ears today from http://drdogs247.com
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Dog Park Etiquette - Common Sense and Courtesy Required
Off leash dog parks are a great place for dogs to run free and socialize, but your dog should be friendly with other dogs (and people) before you take it to the local dog park.
Some local dog parks have areas for big dogs and separate areas for smaller dogs. Be sure to use the appropriate area when they are separated as smaller dogs are usually happier when not being trampled by big dogs in off-leash dog parks.
The dog park may be large or small, or it may be a fenced-in part of a larger park. Regardless, be sure to bring enough bags to pick up your dogs poop so that you can help keep the dog park clean. While many dog parks have poop bags on site, often the supply might be empty, bringing along a few bags will help others too and keep the dogs play area clean.
Some dogs will exercise themselves quite well in the dog park by romping and playing with the other dogs. Some need human interaction and enjoy a good game of fetch with a ball or frisbee. If your dog likes to play ball then be sure to bring it with you when you go, you might want to bring an extra as other dogs may want to join the game and might even run away with your ball. In that case you'll like having another one so your dog can continue to play.
When you go into a dog park, see who's there before unclipping your dog's leash. Often times there is a separate area for unleashing dogs. If you're new to the park you might want the dog to smell around the outside and see how the other dogs inside react to yours. Some dogs are friendly, but some are not. If your dog hasn't met a particular dog at the park, you might want to talk to the owner and introduce the two. If, at any time, your dog or the other dog shows aggression, clip your leash on and move to another area of the park. If the park is small, you may want to look for another park or simply walk your dog on leash instead.
Control and prevent symptoms of ear infections in dogs, cats or horses. Find out more about this powerful all natural remedy. Get fast relief for your dogs ears today from http://drdogs247.com
Some local dog parks have areas for big dogs and separate areas for smaller dogs. Be sure to use the appropriate area when they are separated as smaller dogs are usually happier when not being trampled by big dogs in off-leash dog parks.
The dog park may be large or small, or it may be a fenced-in part of a larger park. Regardless, be sure to bring enough bags to pick up your dogs poop so that you can help keep the dog park clean. While many dog parks have poop bags on site, often the supply might be empty, bringing along a few bags will help others too and keep the dogs play area clean.
Some dogs will exercise themselves quite well in the dog park by romping and playing with the other dogs. Some need human interaction and enjoy a good game of fetch with a ball or frisbee. If your dog likes to play ball then be sure to bring it with you when you go, you might want to bring an extra as other dogs may want to join the game and might even run away with your ball. In that case you'll like having another one so your dog can continue to play.
When you go into a dog park, see who's there before unclipping your dog's leash. Often times there is a separate area for unleashing dogs. If you're new to the park you might want the dog to smell around the outside and see how the other dogs inside react to yours. Some dogs are friendly, but some are not. If your dog hasn't met a particular dog at the park, you might want to talk to the owner and introduce the two. If, at any time, your dog or the other dog shows aggression, clip your leash on and move to another area of the park. If the park is small, you may want to look for another park or simply walk your dog on leash instead.
Some dogs do very well at dog parks, while others don't. If yours is happy just to play with you or if he is friendly with other dogs, then you can enjoy the park. But if your dog is aggressive toward other dogs, forgo the dog park or go at times when there aren't any other dogs.
Always keep your eye on the dogs, yours and the others. They often run in packs and they will run right over you if you're not careful. Keeping an eye on the dogs is good too as dog fights happen and you can be sure to stay clear of any trouble should it break out.
Never turn your dog off-leash in a regular park, and always clean up after your dog defecates. Be a responsible dog owner, and you'll help open up more parks to dogs; being irresponsible will contribute to getting dogs banned from more areas.Always keep your eye on the dogs, yours and the others. They often run in packs and they will run right over you if you're not careful. Keeping an eye on the dogs is good too as dog fights happen and you can be sure to stay clear of any trouble should it break out.
Control and prevent symptoms of ear infections in dogs, cats or horses. Find out more about this powerful all natural remedy. Get fast relief for your dogs ears today from http://drdogs247.com
Dog Health - Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Puppies
http://dogparkfun.blogspot.com/2011/07/dog-health-intestinal-parasites-in-dogs.htmlDog Health - Internal parasites can take several different forms and can affect the health of your dog or puppy. Roundworms in dogs and other common parasites are something every dog owner should be aware of so you know what to look for and what to do in case you have a problem with dog worms.
The most common internal parasite found in dogs are worms. This is in large part due to fact that a majority of all puppies acquire intestinal worms prior to birth or shortly thereafter.
Roundworms - These worms are generally 2 to 4 inches long. They look like spaghetti and are usually white or tan in color. If a dog has a heavy infestation, they can pass these in their feces and on occasion they'll show up in their vomit. Roundworms can cause diarrhea and vomiting and affect the dog's basic health and appearance. Puppies that are infected with these worms will appear potbellied. Roundworms may become so bad that they can create an intestinal blockage where the stool can't pass. These worms can also be transferred to humans and can cause an infection which may even result in possible blindness if not treated.
Hookworms - These worms are parasitic worms that commonly infect both humans and dogs. These thin, tiny parasites can penetrate through the dogs skin whenever it walks on contaminated soil. When they get inside the body, hookworms will fasten themselves to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood. Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms and can't be seen with the naked eye. Microscopic stool examination is usually required to detect an infestation.
The most common internal parasite found in dogs are worms. This is in large part due to fact that a majority of all puppies acquire intestinal worms prior to birth or shortly thereafter.
Roundworms - These worms are generally 2 to 4 inches long. They look like spaghetti and are usually white or tan in color. If a dog has a heavy infestation, they can pass these in their feces and on occasion they'll show up in their vomit. Roundworms can cause diarrhea and vomiting and affect the dog's basic health and appearance. Puppies that are infected with these worms will appear potbellied. Roundworms may become so bad that they can create an intestinal blockage where the stool can't pass. These worms can also be transferred to humans and can cause an infection which may even result in possible blindness if not treated.
Hookworms - These worms are parasitic worms that commonly infect both humans and dogs. These thin, tiny parasites can penetrate through the dogs skin whenever it walks on contaminated soil. When they get inside the body, hookworms will fasten themselves to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood. Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms and can't be seen with the naked eye. Microscopic stool examination is usually required to detect an infestation.
Tapeworms - These worms can be visually detected with the naked eye and are transmitted to dogs by the ingestion of infected meat or fleas. They are long and flat and attach themselves to the lining of the small intestine. When they reach maturity, they will segment and parts of their bodies will break off and enter the dog's digestive system where they will be passed in the urine or feces. There aren't any real noticeable symptoms, but you can sometimes find pieces of the worm in the dog's feces.
Heartworms - These worms are transmitted by mosquitoes. They burrow into blood vessels and follow the blood stream until they end up in the heart. In about 6 months they grow into long spaghetti like worms about a foot long. These worms form a ball-like clump in the heart and interfere with the heart's pumping action eventually causing heart failure. If the dog is not treated, they usually die from this parasite.
Dogs that are in good condition may not show any outward symptoms of most worm infestations. However, it's a good to detect and treat these conditions so that if disease does occur, the dog's immune system is in the best possible condition to handle a crisis. Also, some of these worms can also transfer to people. To avoid this, action should be taken to eradicate these parasites as soon as possible.
Early diagnosis of intestinal parasites is very important. Depending upon the type of worm present, the vet will prescribe a specific medication. Not all worms will be affected by the same medication and no single treatment works against them all.
Heartworms - These worms are transmitted by mosquitoes. They burrow into blood vessels and follow the blood stream until they end up in the heart. In about 6 months they grow into long spaghetti like worms about a foot long. These worms form a ball-like clump in the heart and interfere with the heart's pumping action eventually causing heart failure. If the dog is not treated, they usually die from this parasite.
Dogs that are in good condition may not show any outward symptoms of most worm infestations. However, it's a good to detect and treat these conditions so that if disease does occur, the dog's immune system is in the best possible condition to handle a crisis. Also, some of these worms can also transfer to people. To avoid this, action should be taken to eradicate these parasites as soon as possible.
Early diagnosis of intestinal parasites is very important. Depending upon the type of worm present, the vet will prescribe a specific medication. Not all worms will be affected by the same medication and no single treatment works against them all.
Ear infections in dogs are another big problem for many dog breeds. Control and prevent symptoms of ear infections in dogs, cats or horses. Natural veterinary ear drops can prevent problems in dogs ears Find out more and get fast relief for your dogs ears today from http://drdogs247.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)