Take your dog out into your community and let him interact with humans while he’s still a puppy. Let him play with kids; introduce him to seniors and people of different cultures. Teach him to love everyone that will offer him a kind word or give him a pat on the head.
Be sure to introduce your dog to a wide variety of canine breeds. Make friends with dogs in our neighborhood or at the local dog park. Obedience school is a way to meet other dogs and their owners. Dogs should be supervised by their owners at all times, to ensure that play never turns to aggression. Separate the dogs if they can’t be watched at all times. Everyone, including humans benefit from supervised socialization. If your dog becomes aggressive, leash him and let him mingle under your control. He will soon learn that he can only be off leash if he displays the appropriate behavior.
Neuter/Spay
Neuter or spay your dog to curb territorial aggression. This also prevents litters of unwanted pups and helps to prevent your dog from roaming the neighborhood. All breeds of dogs are more passive once they are neutered or spayed and it makes life much easier for the owner, who happens to be you. Having a dog is a life long commitment. Dogs are living, breathing creatures that have feelings, not a toy that can be tossed into a corner and forgotten. Yes, dogs are a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, but you will reap more than your fair share of rewards in the love, affection, loyalty, devotion and companionship that your dog will provide in return.
Dogs and New Babies
You’re expecting your first baby. The nursery is ready, your suitcase is packed for a midnight trip to the hospital, the doctor’s phone number is beside the phone, and you and your spouse are excited about the big day. But… what about Buddy? He’s been in your family for a few years and is used to having lots of attention. Have you given any thought to how he will react when Baby comes home from the hospital?
How your Dog views Baby
Dogs find babies confusing and invasive. This wee, wiggling bundle suddenly appears in Buddy’s home and to add to the confusion, it appears this tiny human is superior to him in the pack’s pecking order.