Puppies

If you have a new puppy the information contained in these pages is absolutely critical for you to know. Dog Scouts of America is an organization that seeks to teach responsible dog ownership and improve the bond between people and their dogs. We want to keep you and your puppy together, by teaching you about what kinds of behavior to expect, and how to encourage good behavior instead of allowing bad behavior and creating a dog juvenile delinquent! When you adopt a dog, it should be a commitment for the life of the dog. Sometimes there are problems that strain the relationship. We hope to help you avoid these problems before they occur, and to understand what to expect as "normal" behavior from this species of animal who is so different from us.

YOUR FIRST GOAL - SOCIALIZATION!

When you get a new puppy there are some absolute rules you must follow to insure that your puppy grows up well adjusted. Puppies that are brought up through their critical socialization period correctly are less likely to become liabilities later in life. Click here to read our "How to Socialize" article.

WHY is this so important?

Properly socialized dogs are not fearful of a particular age group, skin color, or body type. If they are not fearful, they are less likely to run away from these people, bark at them or bite them to try to make them move away. Poorly socialized dogs lack confidence. These are the dogs that might bite a child in the face if cornered. They may pull out of a collar and run away in fear of a stranger. They may bark at the sight of every strange thing that they never became accustomed to during their socialization period-people in wheelchairs, people wearing funny hats, people who walk with a limp. These biters, bolters and barkers often end up with a one-way ticket to the dog pound-all because they were never properly socialized as puppies. (See web page on responsible dog ownership)

HOW do I socialize my puppy?

As soon as you get your puppy, start introducing him safely to all different sights and sounds. In a controlled situation, he should meet other animals, children of all ages, vacuum cleaners, stairs, crates, automobiles, pet stores, veterinarian's offices, and everything else you can think of. He should get to meet as many dogs as possible, as it is important to learn things from members of the dog's own species, like communication signals and social behavior.

Between the age of 8 and 9 weeks of age, the puppy goes through a "fear imprint" period. Be extremely cautious during this time. If the puppy develops a fear during this period, it can stay with him his whole life. When I was