Introduce your pet to things one at a time. Never present two things in one session as it will be too much for him to cope with mentally. To start with, one or two 10-minute sessions per day is enough. Be careful not to overwhelm your dog; take things at his pace.

Some areas of socialization may need more acclimatization that others, so be prepared for this and remember that time and patience work wonders. Rushing the process can result in your pet becoming nervous and timid or even aggressive, or it could make existing problem behaviors even worse rather than alleviating them.

Make introductions to new things short and always rewarding, so that your dog views them as good experiences.

Some training schools hold introduction classes, where dogs have the chance to meet other animals. It is worth making the effort to get to such a class, as they tend to have more success than trying to do this yourself. The class offers a controlled environment with expert help if you need it. It will boost your confidence and feeling of control, which is essential for successful training.

You may have to travel some distance to find such a class, but making that effort should pay dividends.

A good dog trainer will be of great help in this respect. If you join a socializing class, it will give you and your dog the opportunity to meet other people and dogs, as well as a chance to learn how to cope with different situations and problems. You will also have on-the-spot expert advice when situations crop up in company that you are not sure how to deal with correctly.

If you have problems have socializing  your pet, it can be a good idea to consult a canine behaviorist.

Different breeds/types of dogs will enjoy the company of people and other animals to different events. However, all dogs like to live their lives in a pack, whether human or canine (or a bit of both). If denied social contact, dogs, like humans, can easily become depressed or ‘badly behaved’.

Imagine a world where you cannot speak the language, are afraid of someone walking towards you on a street, or meeting a group of people terrifies you. Without realizing, you can turn a dog into a nervous wreck simply by not socializing him.

A dog can be a nightmare to live with, handle and control if he hasn’t been socialized, so you need to do this properly for the safety and contentment of all concerned.

Puppies do not have a prolonged attention span and tire quickly, so keep training session span and tire quickly sessions short. Five or ten minutes a day is plenty, and it is best if you can turn the training into a game. By doing this, your puppy is more likely to be responsive to your requirement. Whenever he sits unprompted by you, reward him. Then put the command ‘sit’ to the action and reward him with a treat. He will soon realize that ‘sit’ is rewarding and will start responding to the prompted spoken command. Follow the same principle with the ‘stay’ exercise. For further information on teaching sit and stay.

There are several ways to deal with faeces deposited in your garden or out on a walk. Find out if there are local authority bins specially provided for the disposal of dog faeces nearby. If not, wrap the faeces well in newspaper or a biodegradable bag and put them in your household rubbish (check with your local authority first). Alternatively, your can buy a ‘dog loo’ that you install in the garden, although reports on their effectiveness are mixed. Consult your vet practice or local waste disposal company regarding the disposal company regarding the disposal of waste from a dog receiving radiation treatment.

Keep him away from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated. It is wise to exercise him only in your enclosed garden or yard until he is protected against canine diseases. You will also have to train your puppy to the collar and leash before you can take him out, and make sure he’ll come back to you when you call him. Be careful not to expect too much of your puppy too soon and expose him to situations he cannot cope with, as this will create a nervous individual. It is better to gradually introduce him to sights and sounds outside the safe and familiar confines of your home, such as people, vehicles and other dogs.

The answer is anything and everything. He needs to learn how to socialize with other dogs, be polite and calm when meeting people and other creatures, and learn when enough is enough during attention and play sessions. Accustom your young dog to meeting and being with people of both sexes, all ages and different appearances, and reward him so that he views their company as a good thing. Handling him when he is eating and playing with toys will teach him not to become possessive about either.

Both sighthounds and scenthounds need a lot of patience while training. These dogs tend to be slow at processing information, and both can be difficult to recall if they see or scent something they find interesting! Giant breeds are slow thinkers and require a great deal of patience too, while terriers can be stubborn and self-willed. Spitz breeds are intellingent but have an independent temperament. Sporting, herding and guarding breeds tend to be the most easily trained, but they do not take kindly to heavy-handed training methods.

• Attention
• Command
• Execute
• Reward

1. Stand with your dog by your side, with the leash and a treat in the same hand. Get his attention by saying his name.
2. Command ‘sit’ and simultaneously gently push his rear end down.
3. Responding to the pressure, your pet will execute the command by sitting.
4. When he does so, reward him with the treat.