Importance of Dog Socialization

Fefe's Fort LLC is the first cage-free dog grooming salon in the North Platte area. Our innovative cage free salon addresses the concerns that exercise and ongoing socialization are essential to a dog’s physical and emotional health. We would like to share with you more information about the importance of socialization to your dog!

From the Dog Fancy March 2007 issue:

It’s never too late to socialize…

No matter what age you adopt your new dog, taking the appropriate steps to socialize him/her is key to a happy union. Patience is critical, as is keeping socialization exercises positive and rewarding, especially for an adopted dog. The key step in socializing your dog is to keep taking him/her places. If your dog is unsure of other dogs or if your dog hasn’t been around other dogs---IT CAN BE DONE, and at any age!

According to Maggie Blutreich, a certified pet dog trainer and owner of Bravo! Force-Free Training near Charlotte, N.C., says “Genuine dog play looks beautifully choreographed, as if the two had agreed beforehand on what steps and bounces to take.” This interplay appears relaxed, with happily lolling tongues, freely wagging tails, unruffled fur, and bright, seemingly smiling expressions. Vocalizations can be difficult to categorize, as some dogs growl, whine, bark, yip, and chortle during play; while others remain quiet.

From Ain't Misbehavin': The Groundbreaking Program for Happy, Well-Behaved Pets and Their People:

By exposing your puppy gradually and positively to new sights, sounds, and experiences, you encourage further learning. As John Wright, Ph.D.(certified animal behaviorist and a professor of psychology at Mercer University in Macon, Ga.) explains with co-author Judi Wright Lashnits in Ain't Misbehavin': The Groundbreaking Program for Happy, Well-Behaved Pets and Their People (Rodale, 2001, $18.95), Socialization does not stop at a certain age. It is a continual process ... You must continually exercise and socialize a dog throughout their lifetime. Puppy socialization plants the seeds of confidence and good behavior; ongoing socialization lets both you and your dog reap the rewards.

Articles of Interest

• Puppy Timeline for Socialization Dogs without socialization and training are more likely to exhibit behavior problems.
  "Socializing and training a puppy appropriately throughout his first year of development produces an adult dog who is unafraid of new situations, is in less danger because he is under voice control, and is well received by friends and strangers alike. This puppy is well on his way to a healthy, happy adulthood."
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We welcome you to stop by and visit to view the cage-free grooming area at Fefe's Fort. Or if you just have questions, please feel free to call us at (308) 532-PETS (7387).