pet connection

Puppies are cute, wonderful, cuddly little bundles of fun who grow up way too fast. While you’re enjoying them, take the time to give them the socialization they need to be happy, well-behaved adults. In this week’s Pet Connection newspaper feature, Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori give the low-down on puppy-raising:

Introduce a puppy to all the new things you can — people, places and other animals. When a puppy isn’t exposed to new things, social development stops or even regresses. The goal of socializing is a confident, outgoing dog who isn’t shy or aggressive. A good pet, in other words.

“But wait!” you say. “What about disease? My veterinarian told me to keep my puppy at home until his last puppy shot. And you’re saying I should go out? Is that safe?”

Your veterinarian is right: Your puppy is at risk for contracting diseases from other dogs before his full immunity is in place. This is why you shouldn’t go anywhere where dogs you do not know hang out — parks, dog events or pet stores — until your veterinarian gives the go-ahead. But that doesn’t mean you should leave your puppy at home.

Use common sense. Plan safe outings. And take a puppy class, because the trainers know the risks and work to minimize them by keeping the training area sanitized. And when that last puppy shot is in, at 14 to 16 weeks, pull out all the stops when it comes to socialization.

Why take any chances at all? Because doing so is important. An unsocialized dog, whether fearful or aggressive, is at a high risk for ending up in a shelter, with little chance at being adopted again. Some experts argue that, in the long run, behavior problems kill more dogs than parvovirus does, which puts the importance of proper and safe socialization in perspective.

Read the rest here!

This week, Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker catch “The Buzz” on the pet-child product connection:

Many manufacturers realize how much crossover there is between the children’s market and the pets’ market. Products from baby gates to toddler toys do double duty, selling well in both markets. As summer winds down, you might be able to pick up one particular double-duty item at a deep discount and put it away for your pet’s enjoyment next summer. That item? The kiddie pool. For dogs who love water, a wallow in the pool is a great way to cool down after summer activities.

Want more? Read the entire Pet Connection for this week.

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