Everyone wants to have a socialized dog, but it might be very difficult to do that after it gets older. So make sure that you socialize your pet before twenty weeks of age. After your dogs matures it will be much more difficult if not impossible with some dogs. You can also get the help of a professional dog trainer to help with your pet. There are a lot of people who are afraid to take their pets out in public because they are so poorly socialized that they might start a fight or even bite somebody. Here are a few tips on socializing your dog in different situations:

Socializing with other dogs

· Your puppy should be exposed to other dogs before it is 20 weeks of age

· Socialize your puppy with a friend instead of any strange dog

· Always make sure that the other dog is puppy friendly

· Make sure the other dog is current on all vaccines including parvo

Socializing with kids

· Again your puppy should meet children during the socialization period before 20 weeks

· Dogs react differently to kids than adults. Observe the temperament of your dog while socializing them with kids. Always remember do not force your dogs into a situation with children.

· When introducing a child to a child warn your child to stay calm and do not scream out of excitement this can cause panic.

Socializing with people

· Expose your puppy to as many people as possible so that your pet learns that new people are fun and nice..

· Dogs can notice differences. With good socialization they learn to ignore noteworthy differences such as skin color, beard, and hats.

· Let your dog get used to people that are running, skating, riding bicycle, skipping, limping etc. Keep the comfort and safety of your dog in mind while it is getting used to people.

· Expose your pet to the experiences such as people appearing suddenly and wearing different types of clothing.

Socializing with strange locations.

· Expose your dog to strange locations like the park, playground, in front of a store and yes even the vet's office.

· Take your dog for hikes and long walks where you will encounter other people and dogs doing the same.

Socializing your dog before 20 weeks is very important and if you do it correctly you will have a dog that you can enjoy for a very long time. Don't do it and you will have a dog that can't enjoy the same life as a well socialized dog.

Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists, http://www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com in Nashville, TN where he helps people train their dogs and solve behavior problems. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of the Canine Behavior Specialists Network, http://www.K9-University.com.