Much like parents know to expose their children to all kinds of people, places, and events while they're young, dog owners must also ensure that their new puppy is familiar with the world around it. Poorly socialized and desensitized puppies often grow into anxious and fearful adult dogs, leading to potential issues with aggression or destructive behaviors. Thankfully, with some work at home and the help of a professional dog training service, you can provide your puppy with the strongest foundation possible and avoid the headache of a dog with anxiety problems later on.
Meeting Other Dogs and People
Perhaps the single-most important advantage you can give your puppy is the ability to interact with other dogs and people comfortably. For a dog that has never learned to trust and communicate with others outside its household, the world can seem like a hostile and overwhelming place. Taking your vaccinated puppy to training classes and for walks in the park can go a long way toward decreasing its anxiety levels as an adult.
Teaching Your Pet About Fireworks
Not all dogs are afraid of fireworks, but those that are can become stressed or even panicked for weeks at a time every year. Rather than letting your dog experience that anxiety or risk a possible escape into the night, work with a dog trainer to gradually expose your puppy to the loud and unexpected sound of fireworks, until it has learned that they aren't a threat. This simple preventative measure can make the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve a more pleasant experience for everyone involved.
Allowing Your Puppy to Be Alone
When your puppy is very young, it can only be left alone for short periods of time for potty-training reasons. As your pet matures, however, you should start giving it more time alone to establish basic independence and avoid separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety panic when their owners leave, and the habit can be very difficult to break after it has been reinforced enough. By teaching a puppy that it's all right to be alone sometimes, you may spare your pet the fear and loneliness of separation anxiety.
Growing Used to New Places
People love dogs in part because they can take their companions out into the world with them, whether it be for a quick run to the vet's office or a road trip across the country. Taking your puppy to training classes can teach it that car rides are not only safe but also a sign of future fun, meaning you can both look forward to car rides without any dread or nervousness. Your puppy will hopefully be by your side for many years to come, so why not get it started off on the right foot? Contact a local dog training service like The Pet Spot Pet Resort today to learn more about the classes available in your area.
Share21 September 2016
I have opened my home to foster dogs for the past eight years. Many of the dogs that come into my home are well-behaved companions that just need to find a permanent home. Other dogs, well, let's just say that they are not meant to be left alone anywhere in the house. These dogs suffer from separation anxiety and begin acting out the minute that I leave their sight. These are the dogs that I take to a day care center anytime I have to leave my house. If you have a dog that doesn't do well on his own, this blog will give you several tips for making him more comfortable and eventually put a stop to the behavior.
