MyPositiveDogTrainingBlog

The first 16 weeks of a pup’s life are a critical socialization period.  Socialization means introducing puppies to the world by giving them good experiences with many different people, animals, environments, sounds, etc.  Well-run puppy classes can be an important part of socialization for puppies as young as 10 weeks old.

Max is a 4 1/2-year-old St. Bernard/Lab and he attends most of my puppy classes. It is good for pups of all sizes to be around a big, calm adult dog.  Puppies can learn things from adult dogs like appropriate greeting and play manners that they may not learn from only being around other puppies.  They can also learn that big dogs can be fun to play with.

All puppies should be socialized early whether they are big or small breeds.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Max is very tolerant of the pups and gives them license to be puppies.  If they get too obnoxious he will let them know by moving away from them.  If they insist on getting in his face he will bark, “Back off, kid!”   Most of them get the message and give him space.

 

Sometimes he has to growl to get through to a really clueless pup – but I never let the situation go any further. Max trusts me to have his back and he will look to me to get the situation under control so he doesn’t feel the need to be aggressive.

He loves to play tug and really handicaps himself when playing with the little ones.

 

He also likes to chase balls.

 

Max is a great training partner and he has made a lot of friends.

Here’s to being our dog’s best friend,

Linda (and Max)