You also should not overwhelm your new furry friend. Instead, introduce him to new places, people, and situations slowly. Slow socialization may mean only having him meet one friend or family member a week. Don't stress him out and he'll be more likely to get used to his new home more quickly. Here are more socializing tips below.
The initial socialization period of a dog is four to 12 weeks. It is during this time that social skills are imprinted on them and their interaction with other dogs and humans is, hopefully, positive. The socialization then should continue into adulthood. But many dog owners choose to adopt older dogs who sometimes were not socialized during this time.
When a dog owner brings an adult dog into their home, it’s important to find out early on how socialized he is. But there are several things you can do to socialize your adult dog with other dogs and humans.
Socializing an Adult or Older Dog with Other Dogs
Take Your Dog Out to Observe
1. Go to a dog park but don’t go in.
2. Allow your dog to watch the other pups and observe their behavior.Resist Tugging While Walking
When out walking and another dog comes into view, resist jerking on the lead and yelling at your dog.Go to Obedience Class
Dog obedience class is a great way to help socialize an adult dog before attempting going into dog parks or having playdates.Socializing an Adult Dog with Humans
The first step is to socialize your dog with your family.Ignore Your Dog
When your dog runs to hide from you, don’t go after him and pull him from under the bed.Be Casual
By acting as if your dog’s behavior is no big deal, you’re creating a calmer environment and, thus, a calmer dog.Introduce People Slowly
Only add one person a week at the most into your dog’s life. When they meet your dog, have them offer a treat and speak in a happy, low, encouraging voice.The main thing to remember when socializing an adult dog is to be positive and to make each new experience a good one with praise and treats.
If your pup does struggle with adapting to his new environment, you can also try obedience school. If he seems uncomfortable at obedience school you can tell the trainer that your doggy needs to take it slow. This will help him learn at a slower yet more effective rate.
Give your Pug a lot of time and love as he gets used to his home and continue to read about more socialization tips on Dogster. The important thing is that he is living in a home with parents that love him and over time he will undoubtedly learn how he's supposed to behave.
