Bully Sticks

Dog Socialization

Bringing home a new puppy can be very exciting for every member of the family, however it can be a bit TOO exciting for the puppy. So when is the proper time to introduce your new puppy to your friends and the neighborhood?

Give your puppy a few days to relax and feel at home, don’t over stimulate him with too much activity or attention. Once your puppy has gotten use to his new environment, then you may want to take him out and introduce him to other dogs in the neighborhood.

It is very important your puppy is properly socialized at this young age.

Don’t overdo it and be sure to reward your puppy with a nice dog bone for his good behavior.

Dog Neglect - The sad tale of Pickles

I will never understand why people simply abandon their pets. Why would anyone put their puppy out on the streets to fend for himself?

This story is an example of what happens to one Pomeranian puppy that is so cruelly discarded.

Sally Anderson tells us the story of Pickles and his physical and emotional trauma. He was also suffering from box dog syndrome.
But stay tuned and be sure to watch the second video.

My dog has more facebook friends than me…

Thanks to a Facebook application called Dogbook, my dog is fast acquiring more online friends and having more virtual dog bones than I get virtual coffees and sheep tosses.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, stop by and visit the Social Networking site phenom, Facebook.com and get a good look at the virtual silliness.

Facebook is not the only place to take your dog in the world of Web 2.0,  Dogster.com and Catster.com are both available for your pet’s personal web space.

Creating a webpage for your pet is quick, easy and free.  It’s a great way to connect with other pet owners to share pictures, stories and favorite places to find those all natural dog treats.

3 Tips For Getting Your Dog To Mingle

When you bring a new dog home, you’ll need to take steps to socialize him. It’s an ongoing effort over your dog’s life and is a critical component of his development. A dog that hasn’t been exposed to others (whether people or other dogs) poses a risk. Dogs can become uncomfortable or agitated quickly. Factors such as loud noises, other dogs, and even people wearing hats can cause your dog to become alarmed. In that state, they’re unpredictable.

Eventually, you’ll want to take your dog with you to the park, beach, friend’s house, or any place where others might be. Below, we’ll give you 3 quick tips for encouraging your dog to mingle well with others.

Tip #1: Obedience Class

Whether you’re trying to socialize a puppy or a fully-grown adult dog, enroll him into an obedience class. He will be exposed to other people and dogs in a controlled environment. Plus, your dog will learn that others do not necessarily pose a threat to you. As a result, he’ll learn to remain relaxed in the presence of those who are unfamiliar to him. The earlier you do this, the better.

Tip #2: Inviting Friends Over

Invite 1 or 2 friends over to your house. This is an opportunity to socialize your dog in an uncontrolled environment (that is, without an obedience instructor). Over time, have other friends stop by. Ask them to do so in pairs, if possible, so your dog doesn’t feel overwhelmed. By doing this, you continue the education process whereby your dog learns that people who are unfamiliar to him are typically non-threatening.

Tip #3: Training On The Go

Grab your dog’s leash and take him for a walk. If possible, start in a sparsely populated area. A few people walking their dogs as cars race by can provide your dog with the loud stimuli he needs to grow accustomed to the noise and activity. As your dog grows more comfortable, take him for walks in more densely populated areas with more traffic. Doing this will desensitize his natural instinct to become alarmed.

Lifetime Socialization

By using the tips above, you can gradually transform your dog into a sociable pet that is friendly with others. If your dog resists the efforts by barking, sniffing, or jumping on people, try to react subtly and refocus his attention on you. Try to encourage him to focus on something other than that which prompted the undesirable behavior. Also, it is important that you reward your dog generously for good behavior with dog chews like bully sticks. Over time, your dog will become the companion that you can take anywhere you go.