10. Socializing

Expose your pet to new experiences with people and other animals.

Socializing your new pet.

Exposing your pet to new experiences with people and other animals is very important. You may not be planning to take them a lot of places, but if you do, they still need to be comfortable and learn to trust you.

Teaching your pet how to react positively to a dog or child running up to them will put everybody at ease, especially if a child is shrieking with excitement.

If your dog is unsure of a new situation, teaching them to sit next to you and keeping the scary thing away from them by allowing them to just observe, will most likely make them curious instead of defensive (growling, barking, showing teeth, lunging, etc.)

If you direct them, they are less likely to have an adverse reaction in the future.

You never want to force them to interact with someone or something if they are being defensive or showing fear. This may only increase the unwanted reaction.

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