Socializing puppies can mean a lot of things to different people. Essentially from a working dog stand point it is developing confidence so that they can do their job no matter what is going on around them.  For a pet dog it means travel and company are good things.

For many years most veterinarians recommended keeping pups isolated until they were through the immunization protocol. Unfortnightly the social development period usually falls right in the middle of that time. The point is you need to be aware your pups immune system may not be very strong so although we want to introduce our pup to different things we want to do it carefully. My simple rule is when in doubt ask your vet.

Puppy obedience classes have become very popular in the last few years. A good puppy class can do some wonderful things for your pup. On the other hand a poorly run one can do as much damage as good. Make sure you are comfortable with the instructor and that they are experienced with puppies, visit a class without your pup. Take the opportunity to watch how the pups are handled and if everyone seems comfortable and is having fun. (Don’t forget we are working with babies here, they don’t need obedience they need confidence that comes from having fun.)

There are a lot of advantages to taking a class.  One is that the room full of puppies has been prescreened for vaccines (don’t take your pup to a class that doesn’t have some health screening in place.) Most people don’t have access to lots of different puppies. This socializing can be followed up with regular visits to a dog day care. Again make sure you are comfortable with the people that are actually working with your puppy. There is a lot of advantage to the dog day care for socializing since there are dogs of all ages and sizes so that your pup can be paired with appropriate play mates. Some unruly pups don’t need other pups to bully, they really need to play with older dogs that play nice but won’t let them be too pushy.

You can do your own puppy class by inviting friends and their dogs to your house get them to let you bring the baby along to play in different environments.

When we talk about socializing we are discussing more than just playing we are focusing on puppies being comfortable with noises and sounds that are new and different. We are getting the pup comfortable with people and activities that are strange compared to those found in our home. We are introducing the pup to other dogs and animals that he may encounter later in life. If you do not have children make sure your pup is around dog savvy kids of all ages. When socializing always remember a few really good experiences are better than a ton of poor ones.

Here is the process for introducing your pup to new areas. Take him to a safe place let him wander around at his speed and sniff everything, look at everything, if necessary keep him on a leash. Once he is showing interest in you pull out a toy and play for a little bit then pack him up while it is still fun and take him home again. The same process for introducing new and different people once the pup makes the initial contact the new person plays then while he is still having fun end it. (We call that quiting while you are ahead!)

MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in” align=”left”>

There are a lot of reasons for dogs to dig.

• Some dogs dig to escape the yard so they can go on to bigger and more exciting things.
• Some dogs dig because they are bored and it is something industrious to do to pass the day.
• Some dogs dig because they are hot and it is instinctive to dig down to the cooler damp dirt.
• Some dogs dig because they are hunting  (the girls pictured are hunting moles from the yard. They had a field day with the 17-year cicadas!).
• Unfortunately, most dogs simply dig because it is fun! Digging falls into those ‘instinctive’ behaviors that are difficult to actually make go away.

what is causing the dog to dig, and we might have some success redirecting him to a prefered activity. Some suggestions to start:

• If the dog is digging to escape or out of boredom. let’s give him some alternative things to do in the yard. Perhaps he is not a dog that likes being outside alone, so don’t leave him outside unattended for long periods of time. Alternatively, make time in the yard more exciting for the dog. Try adding a playmate (okay, a second dog is extreme, especially since you may well end up with two dogs digging to get out!). Put toys in the yard and rotate them so there is something different in the yard every day. Interactive toys, buster cubes, or treat balls may keep him entertained for a while. Hide favorite toys or part of the dog’s meal in Kongs around the yard for him to find. In short, make the yard more entertaining for your dog.
• For dogs that are hot, provide shade and access to cooler areas. Maybe even provide your pooch with a wading pool (the pool can also provide more entertainment in the yard).
• Dogs that are hunting are tough! If it is moles, they are generally in the yard because they are eating grubs. The solution is to get rid of the grubs,and the moles will move on. It may take some of the motivation out of digging. Poison is usually NOT advised for moles, as the goal is to stop the digging not make the dog sick.
• For dogs that dig just for the heck of it (because they can!), or because they are driven to embrace the notion ”If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” … provide them with a sand box area they are actually allowed to dig in. You can designate an area simply by taking a spade and turning over some dirt. Or, get that kiddie pool full of sand. Hide some prizes for the dog to find when he digs and treat it like housetraining. Watch the dog, and as soon as he digs in the wrong place, stop him and move him to the correct place where you then encourage him to dig.

when you plant or do any kind of landscaping that fresh turned earth will be an open invitation to dig, so limit your dogs access to those areas.

You thought you were getting a puppy … a soft and lovable bundle of fur. Instead, you got a miniature fuzzy alligator. This little land shark is leaving you a bloody pin cushion full of puppy teeth holes!

The good news is that most puppies outgrow the insistent need to have you in their mouth at all times when the baby teeth fall out and the adult teeth come in. That is the good news. Having said that, let me give you the bad news first! All puppies don’t read the books about what they are supposed to do, so there are always exceptions to every rule. The other bit of bad news is that although the mouthing of your body may now be over, the destructive chewing of your house and all your worldly goods has just begun.  Unfortunately, that lasts a lot longer than the few months you just survived as the puppy’s chew toy.

Following are some exercises for your biting puppy while you are waiting for those baby teeth to fall out.

1. When playing with your puppy, put toys on a short line so the toy the baby is grabbing a hold of is NOT an extension of your arm. This is good especially if children are playing, as we really want the pup to understand there is a difference between people and toys.
2. As an obedience exercise (yes, even baby-babies can learn obedience!), dab a tiny drop of peanut butter or squeeze cheese onto the back of your hand. As he is licking it off say, “Kiss-kiss … Good kiss kiss…” until you can present your hand, arm, foot, etc., and tell the little guy “kiss kiss” for him to lick. Then, whenever you feel teeth on you, simply freeze.  Don’t move, and tell the pup, “No teeth … kiss-kiss.”
3. Put an appropriate chew object into your pup’s mouth, and as he chews, you hold onto the other end. A lot of biting has nothing to do with chewing. It is all about interaction. At the Dog Day Care (DDC), pups always have parts of each other in their mouths. It is how they play and socialize. So to the puppy, this toy actually becomes an extension of your arm. This exercise is good for quiet time with you and him.

These three tips should get you started.  For more information on our in home puppy consultations call 410-236-2788.