Rescuing A Dog

You recently adopted an adorable one year old dog from a shelter and found out that he has behavioral problems. You've worked hard to train your new furry friend by yourself, but now have to call in a professional trainer.

Rescuing a dog from an unknown background that could have been filled with neglect and abuse is filled with challenges. Often dogs surrendered to a shelter are in shock and are fearful. It could takes months of hard work just to get him comfortable around you and his new home, especially if he wasn't properly socialized to begin with.

A puppy that has been socialized at an early age can avoid behavior problems. This increases the likelihood that a dog will become a wonderful pet. A puppy, just like a child, can't grow into
According to the ASPCA, a puppy is most accepting of new experiences between three and 12 weeks old. After that age, he will become much more cautious of anything he hasn't yet encountered. From about 12 to 18 weeks old the opportunity to easily socialize a puppy ends - and with each passing week it becomes harder to get the puppy to accept and enjoy something that he's initially wary of.

Your puppy needs to be exposed to people, animals, places, sounds and experiences that you expect him to be comfortable with in later life. Depending on the lifestyle you have planned for your furry friend, this might include the sight and sound of trains, garbage trucks, schoolyards of screaming children, crowds, cats or crying infants.

Proper socialization will help train your young dog to handle new experiences and challenges with acceptable, appropriate behavior.

An unsocialized dog is unlikely to cope well with changes in his environment or situation, making him difficult to handle for his pet parent, groomer, pet-sitter, and any people that come to
The goal should be to teach your adopted dog to behave calmly in public and on walks. Bring lots of tasty treats on your walks and reward Rover for sitting quietly and responding to his name while other dogs pass by at a safe distance.

Introducing dogs on a leash can be tricky, so keep introductions short. If he should bark at another dog, simply get his attention, using the treats, and walk him away from the situation. Once he calms down, continue your walk.

Don't rush things, but if you can introduce your dog to one new activity a week, it will go a long way toward helping them socialize and remain calm and well-behaved. Think of it this way; Rover will be acting as an observer at first.

For example, instead of just taking your unsocialized dog into a dog park and hoping for the best, you can expose them slowly by walking them around the outside of the fence and letting them see the dogs play and have fun. If your heart is set on social time with other dogs, start by introducing your furry friend to one dog at a