Socializing a puppy prepares him to become a good canine citizen

If you have recently added a puppy to your family, you are in for years of love and adventure. To be sure your new puppy grows up to be a happy and well-adjusted dog, time must be invested in his socialization.

Socializing a puppy prepares him for a world filled with different types of people, places and things - including sights, sounds, smells and, of course, other dogs.

Dogs who have not been properly socialized are more likely to be afraid of unfamiliar people and dogs and may react with aggression. Those who have been exposed to a variety of environments and situations as puppies are more comfortable when unfamiliar circumstances arrive throughout their lives.

Depending on the expert consulted, somewhere between the age of 4 to 16 weeks is a critical period to give your puppy as many positive experiences as possible with a variety of different people, situations and stimuli.

This is the time to get a puppy used to having his ears and paws handled, his coat and teeth brushed, and his nails trimmed. Expose him to different types of surfaces he might walk on - carpeting, tile and hardwood floors inside and grass, concrete, gravel and more outside.

Introduce him to as many different types of people - young and old, loud and quiet. Start with family members. Once he is comfortable with a small group of people, try a larger group of friends. Being comfortable in crowds is the goal.

Be sure he has met people wearing hats, sunglasses and carrying umbrellas. Introductions should be supervised, especially with young children, to avoid negative experiences.

If a puppy will live in an urban environment, the sounds of emergency vehicles, traffic, trains and trucks are important noises for him to be comfortable with. In the country, the sounds of livestock and tractors are more appropriate sounds to introduce.

Inside the home, noises from vacuum cleaners, blenders, hair dryers and dishwashers are new to a puppy.

While on a leash, let him sniff and explore his yard. A walk around the neighborhood will expose puppies to street signs, garbage cans, mailboxes (and the mail carrier), bicycles and strollers. Take him outside in all kinds of weather. Introduce him to the sounds of weather - thunderstorms, wind and hail.

Puppies should spend some time in the car, traveling to a variety of dog-friendly places (including the veterinarian).

Even though the goal is to give a new puppy the most experiences possible, it is most important to move slowly enough to make each one positive.

Use small treats and lots of praise to make every experience enjoyable. Never force a puppy into a new situation that scares him. If he turns his head away, yawns or seems clingy, he is afraid.

Instead, find a way to introduce the scary experience gradually. For instance, if a puppy seems frightened whenever a bicycle rides close to him, enlist some children to help. From a distance where the puppy is comfortable, have them ride by while you praise and give him treats.

Each time, children should ride closer and closer. As soon as you sense the puppy is growing tense, stop and begin again later.

Most puppies are not fully protected against diseases until they have completed all their puppy shots, but socialization can still begin if environments are scrutinized for their safety. Once a puppy has started his vaccinations, he can attend puppy classes or play with other puppies or adult dogs that are known to be healthy and vaccinated.

Take the puppy on a walk around the neighborhood in a stroller or carry him if he is small enough. Keep him on a blanket when playing outside. Avoid dog parks until his series of vaccinations is complete.

Socialization is an important responsibility of being a pet parent. It gives a puppy the best chance to grow into a happy dog who is a good canine citizen. And that is what every pet parent wants, right?

• Diana Stoll is the Practice Manager at Red Barn Animal Hospital with locations in Hampshire and Gilberts. Visit redbarnpetvet.com, or call (847) 683-4788 (Hampshire) or (847) 426-1000 (Gilberts).