Socialize Your Puppy

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It's Important to Socialize Your Puppy

In his early months, especially from 3 to 9 months of age, your puppy goes through a crucial stage of mental development that shapes his personality and behavior for the rest of his life. Each time your pup meets a new person, learns a new activity, or is introduced to a new kind of environment, the experience helps him grow into a well-rounded, trainable companion who readily greets strangers and calmly adapts to a wide variety of situations. This important process of exposing your puppy to many different people and things is called socialization.

After he finishes his series of puppy shots, give your puppy lots of chances to visit new surroundings and meet friends, neighbors, and even other animals (in safe situations). If possible, enroll your new companion in a "puppy kindergarten class." If while he's young, your puppy has the chance to meet people of all kinds and ages, it's much more likely he'll be unafraid and sociable with them as an adult.

Treat your puppy with love and respect but also with firmness and consistency. See that the puppy is appropriately trained and socialized throughout it's life. This is the utmost importance in ensuring a stable temperment.