Socializing...

Taos and Lloyd

One of the best things you can do for your puppy that will truly change their life forever is to give them as many experiences at a young age as you can squeeze in.  I understand that it can be a lot of work, but hey - if you choose to bring a puppy into your family you signed on for the job. Early socialization can develop a confidence in your dog that will set them up for success for much of their life.

So yesterday I took Taos and Zia on a socialization expedition. First we stopped by Northpoint Trading Company - a wholesale distributor of natural pet products. I had to pick up a few puppy items for the foster dogs so I took the opportunity to bring the pups along to meet a bunch of people they didn't know and also to meet Lloyd, a sweet, 70 pound goofball of a Pit Bull.

Zia was the first out of the crate. She was pretty scared but she scooted around on her belly at high speed, checking things out (and occasionally submissive peeing as you see in this video - whoops!)  Then when she had sniffed everyone and decided things where safe, she went into her typical, excited, tearing around puppy mode. 

Taos's style is to hang back and watch and then to emerge once he feels safe. Lloyd was pretty interested in Taos and kept sticking his huge head up to the entrance of the crate and Taos's eyes would get big and he'd back up. However, before long he ran out and joined his sister doing rattie runs around the front office. Of course this was pretty cute and before long all work came to a stop and warehouse employees streamed in to see what all the laughing was about.

When Lloyd witnessed the pups in full speed he was a little overwhelmed (I totally feel ya on that one, Lloyd.) So he backed up slowly, head flipping back and forth as he tried to keep track of where they were, and he sat his butt down on my lap. It was really cute, and I absolutely love Lloyd so forgave him for putting my legs to sleep. He eventually decided they weren't a threat and laid down in the middle of the floor to bat at them as they tore by. Again - really cute!

The visit ended when Taos and Lloyd tore under a desk and knocked the computer speakers off just as the boss came to see what the ruckus was about. Whoops!

The next part of our adventure wasn't quite as fun. We went to my work, Dog Daze Natural Pet, to meet some cats and also to have their microchips inserted by one of my co-workers. The pups received a bully stick for their troubles and chewed contentedly all the way home.

Not sure where our next adventure will be but we'll think of something.