Good morning everyone! It is Friday once again and we have been having a fun week at Hip Hounds! This is the time of year when a lot of dogs visit us for the first time. A lot of families are planning summer vacations and realize that their pup needs a place to stay while they are gone. The majority of pups that walk into our playgroups are well-adjusted social dogs who understand canine language. There is a small percentage of dogs who have no idea how to communicate with other dogs and are not able to stay with us because of their lack of communication skills. It takes time to properly socialize a dog. It is best to start at a young age but sometimes that is not an option. Every dog is different and responds to everything differently, so this must be taken into consideration. They must be exposed to all kinds of environments, animals, and people in order to develop the skills to cope with anxiety, excitement, or joy over the course of their lifetime. Your dog does not have to love everyone and everything it encounters but he or she should be able to handle situations without distracting everyone else around them. I cannot stress enough the importance of the socialization of your dog. Not only does it increase their self confidence but it increases yours as well. It also strengthens the bond between you and your dog by allowing you to partake in many activities with your dog rather than having to leave them at home. Woof.
