Monday, July 21, 2014

What is Socialization?

By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com 

Socialization is the process of positively introducing your puppy to new things so that as they grow into adulthood, they are able to adapt to new situations without fear or anxiety.

The most important thing to know is that most puppies are only open to the socialization process between the ages of 3 to 16 weeks. This is called the socialization window. During this time, the pup’s brain and sympathetic nervous system is programmed to accept new experiences with less fear and anxiety than normal. As the pup gets older, their neurobiology changes and it becomes more and more difficult to teach your dog to tolerate new things.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Surviving the Dog Days of Summer

By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com 

Yup, it’s hot. What’s a dog owner to do? Here are some suggestions to stay safe and cool for the next few months.