Socializing any dog is the key to their confidence in any situation, and a confident dog will be able to function as normal anywhere you take it.
Some people read that they need to socialize their dog and think that means puppy play dates and boat loads of work. This is not what it means at all. Think of it more as a team building exercise. By that I mean it’s a chance for your dog to bond with you and trust you in spite of whatever else is going on. It could be sitting in front of a Wal-Mart asking people to pet them, or sitting on your couch with company over. Your main goal is to make these positive experiences for your dog.
You should be starting from the very second you get your little fur ball. Have people come see you. They can ignore the dog if they want, but you stay happy and calm. Your dog will read that emotion and learn that people coming to visit is a happy thing. If you have small children, teach them about the puppy in a loving manner. The two will learn to play together later, for now keep the kids as low key as possible so that your puppy learns the kids are friends as well. Again, the puppy is going to be reading your emotions so stay happy and calm. If you are the incredible hulk when the kids go near your puppy, then the puppy will learn that there is something to be afraid of when the kids come around.
Getting out and about with your puppy truly is one of the biggest excitements for them. They get to see new things, sniff new sniffs, taste new things, and best of all... they get to be with you. You are never going to be able to control everyone else, so focus on you and your pup. You want them to see you calm and happy so they know that this is all a good thing. Talk to friends you bump into and maybe even some strangers. You have a dog now, so everyone is going to want to tell you how much they love your puppy. Encourage it. Not just with your words but in your soul. Welcoming the friendship will be read and remembered as well by your pup. I always carry treats with me. You never stop teaching your dog, so be ready at all times to tell them what a great boy/girl they are. Ask your friends to give your puppy a treat. Ask their kids to give them treats. Ask strangers who are stable and friendly to give them a treat. Your dog will learn that all these different people are ok, and read your emotions the entire time. Stay happy and calm and you will pass that on to your puppy.
Dont set them up for failure. Just like a kid who fails an algebra test, dogs will remember the time they had a bad experience. The honesty of it is there is always going to be those bad times. So while you can control it, make sure your pup isn’t getting walked into a bad time. If there is a dog that is mean, or just too keyed on, you might not want to let your puppy get to meet that dog. It’s not that you won’t be able to over time, but at first you need to build a rock solid foundation of good times.
Not all socialization work involves others. Taking your dog on a walk or to play in a field is part of the total socializing package. It's an opportunity for you and your dog to bond. Bonding leads to trusting which will be carried everywhere you two go. Jump all over the opportunities to lay and scratch your dog, or to throw a ball for them. These times spent together are adding to your credit score in a special bank that will never stop paying out their unconditional love.
You're a very good writer!
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