Socialization Tips
threatening’ for the Shih Tzu or Poodle as possible. If a Shih
Tus or Poodle first experience with any new experience is
an unpleasant one, it will be very difficult to undo that in
it’s mind. In some cases, an early trauma can morph into a
phobia that can last for a lifetime. It is better to take things
slow and avoid having the puppy become frightened or
injured.
Try inviting your friends over to meet the new puppy. It is
important to include as many different people as possible in
the Shih Tzu or Poodle circle of acquaintances, including
men, women, children, adults, as well as people of many
diverse ethnic backgrounds and ages.
Also invite friendly and healthy dogs and puppies over to
meet your puppy. It is important for the Shih Tzu or Poodle
to meet a wide variety of other animals, including cats,
hamsters, rabbits and other animals he is likely to meet. It is
of course important to make sure that all animals the shih
tzu and poodle comes into contact with have received ‘all
necessary vaccinations’.
Take the Shih Tzu or Poodle puppy to many different places,
including shopping centers, pet stores, parks, school
playgrounds and on walks around the neighborhood. Try to
expose your Shih Tzu or Poodle to places where there will be
crowds of people and lots of diverse activity going on.
Take the PUPPY OR DOG for frequent short rides in the car.
Introduce your Shih Tzu or Poodle to a variety of items that
may be unfamiliar. The Shih Tzu and Poodles should be
exposed to
common items like bags, boxes, vacuum cleaners, umbrellas,
hats, etc. that may be frightening to him. Allow and
encourage the Shih Tzu or Poodle to explore these items and
see that he has nothing to fear from them.
Get the Shih Tzu or Poodle puppy used to a variety of objects
by rearranging familiar ones. Simply placing a chair upside
down, or placing a table on its side, creates an object that
your Shih Tzu or Poodle puppy will perceive as totally new.
You will be surprised at how they react to something placed
in a different position thinking it is totally new!
Get the Shih Tzu or Poodle used to common procedures like
being brushed, bathed, having the nails clipped, teeth
cleaned, ears cleaned, etc. Your groomer and your
veterinarian with ‘thank you’ for this.
Introduce the Shih Tzu or Poodle to common things around
the house, such as stairs. Also introduce the him to the
collar and leash, so he will be comfortable with these items.
Shih Tzu or Poodle puppy. These socialization don’ts include:
Do not place the Shih Tzu or Poodle on the ground when
strange animals are present. An attack, or even a surprise
inspection, by an unknown animal could traumatize the Shih
Tzu or Poodle and hurt his socialization.
Do not inadvertently reward fear based behavior. When the
Shih Tzu or Poodle shows fear, it is normal to try to sooth it,
but this could reinforce the fear based behavior and make it
worse. Since biting is often a fear based behavior,
reinforcing fear can create problems with biting.
Do not force or rush the socialization process. It is important
to allow the Shih Tzu or Poodle to socialize at his own pace.
Do not try to do too much too soon. Young Shih Tzu or Poodle
puppies have short attention spans, and continuing lessons
after that attention span has passed will be a waste of your
time and your puppy’s.
Do not wait too long to begin. There is a short window in
which to begin the socialization process. A young Shih Tzu or
Poodle puppy is a blank slate, and it is important to fill
that slate with positive socialization skills as early as
possible.