[11] 5 Things You Didn't Know About Corgi Puppies For Sale At Arthur Corgi Puppies For Sale At Arthur

A puppy's socialization begins when it's still with its mother and litter mates. As with human children, a good mother will teach her pups how to interact and correct inappropriate behavior. (04/08/14)

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Arthur, a corgi, roams as young dogs socialize at Camp Bow Wow in Newark, April 1, 2014.(Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)Buy Photo

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A well-socialized dog, one that's comfortable around all kinds of people, in all kinds of places and in new situations, begins with a well-socialized puppy.

"I've seen a mother come between her pups and move away a puppy that was being too aggressive," she says. "If you get a dog from a breeder, see how the mother is with the puppies. A good mother should correct and encourage."

But puppies don't stay with their mothers forever. If a puppy is separated too young, it can have issues, including separation anxiety. Even if it isn't taken away too young but is kept isolated from other animals, it will lose valuable socialization time.

"Before five months is critical for socialization," Williams says. "But that doesn't mean older puppies and dogs can't be socialized."

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Camp Bow Wow owner Laurie Williams visits with Gemma during socialization. (Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)

Dogs are social animals, and crave and need happy interaction with their own kind as well as their human family. A lack of socialization can result in a dog that responds with fear to every new encounter, and a fearful dog can bite.

"The worst bites are fear bites," says Carly Becker, a certified trainer at Camp Bow Wow. "Socialization makes them less fearful and lessens the chance of them lashing out or biting, and it should help with separation anxiety."

Camp Bow Wow hosts adoption events with local shelters several times a year. Puppies that are adopted during an event are invited to a free puppy social hour. Older dogs that are adopted also are invited to spend a free day at camp to assess their ability to socialize and have some fun. The dogs are introduced to each other a few at a time and carefully watched by the human trainers in the pen with them.

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Trainer Carly Becker (left) and owner Laurie Williams visit with dogs at Camp Bow Wow. (Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)

If a puppy is being too aggressive, a trainer will separate them by walking between that pup and the others. They usually catch on quickly and learn that behavior is not acceptable.

"Never use your hands," Williams says. "Always use your legs to separate dogs."

At a recent puppy social hour, some pups were ready to run and romp, while others held back to assess the situation. For example, Arthur, a corgi, wasn't all that sure he wanted to jump into the fray and initially avoided the pups that wanted to play. The trainers subtly made sure he wasn't cornered and frightened. Within 20 minutes, his ears were up, his tail was waging and he was picking some play partners.

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Nigel and Arthur socialize at Camp Bow Wow. (Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)

"It's important not to push a puppy beyond its comfort zone," Williams says. "But it's also important not to jump in too soon."

Dogs have a language all their own, and a good trainer can help you interpret. Dogs greet each other by sniffing behinds to learn, among other things, the sex and health of their new acquaintance. They can tell a pup that is being too aggressive or using too much pressure when they play bite to tone it down with a little growl.

"That's a puppy who had a good mother," Williams says.

Socialization also is the first step to obedience training. Many expert sources, including the ASPCA, recommend puppy obedience classes to help you learn how to positively interact with your young dog and help it become a well-adjusted adult.

"Everything must be positive," Williams says. "No punishment."

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Allison Ash is greeted by her dachshund, Nigel, and other young dogs as they socialize at Camp Bow Wow in Newark. (Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)

Allison Ash of New Castle is a big fan of puppy socialization. Nigel, her 7-month-old long-haired miniature dachshund, has become a regular at the camp's doggie day care and was one of the size-appropriate dogs brought into the puppy pen to play with the first-time puppy visitors.

"I think it's important for puppies to play with puppies," she says.

There are other ways to help socialize your puppy, but Williams advises caution.

"But no bark parks," Williams says. "You don't know if the other dogs have had their vaccinations and there is no supervision."

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Nigel the dachshund. (Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)

Stick with dogs you know, she says. If you have friends with dogs that are not too big to play with your puppy and who you trust to have had their dogs properly vaccinated, invite them to a play party, Williams says. Don't leave them alone. Instead, watch the ebb and flow of their play. For example, they should take turns being the "dominate" dog by switching up which one is on its back when they wrestle. If they aren't, walk in and gently separate them, but don't scold.

When you've taught your dog to heel, take it for a walk around the neighborhood and progress to areas with more activity, but don't let your dog sniff another dog. You don't know if strange dogs have their vaccinations or how they will react. Teaching your puppy not to rush other dogs, people and children or react to every new sound and sight is part of socialization. Always reward your dog with treats and praise.

Recently, I was walking in downtown Newark when a woman told me she was socializing her puppy and asked me to pet him and offer him a treat. Good owner, good.

"The whole point of puppy socialization is to let them play, explore the world, gain self-confidence and friends," Williams says.

Delaware Pets is written by animal lover Deb Lucas. Send her your news, events and column ideas to dlucas@ Media or call her at (302) 324-2852.

Pet-related events

• Delaware SPCA has launched a Baby Shower Supply Drive in anticipation of the influx of abandoned puppies and kittens that arrive each spring and throughout the summer. Foster parents also are needed. See a complete wish list at Media PAWS for People will have its Eastern Bone Hunt annual fundraiser at 1 p.m. Saturday at Blue Hen Bed & Breakfast, 1202 Nottingham Road, Newark. Activities for people and dogs. $8/adults; $5/kids. (302) 352-5622; Media Greyhound Pets of America-Delaware is hosting a Greyhound Groomathon fundraiser Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 48 Bridle Brook Lane in Newark. Donations will be used to care for foster Magic Man "Manny" who broke his leg racing. Dog-washing facility available. Greyhounds only. Call (302) 598-9928.

• First State Animal Center and SPCA is having a Spring Break Camp for children ages 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21-25 at the shelter in Camden. Children will visit with adoptable pets, learn about responsible pet ownership and more. $150. Contact Kelsi Burleigh,(302) 934-6032 or Media Applications at Media Camp Bow Wow, 301 Ruthar Drive in Newark, will host an adoption event 1-4 p.m. April 27. Organizations with adoptable dogs include All Mutts Matter Foundation, Delaware Humane Association, Delaware SPCA, House of Hope, Renee's Rescue and Tree Tops Animal Rescue. (302) 738-2267; Media id="article-body-p-last">• If you've got a dog that loves to jump into the water, head to the Dover Days Dip dock-diving competition 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 4 as part of the Dover Days Festival. Contestants will be scored on distance (in the Big Air division); height (Extreme Vertical division); and speed (Speed Retrieve division). Entry to DockDog competitions is open to all dogs 6 months and older. (302) 734-1736; Media or Share this story: Media
[11] 5 Things You Didn't Know About Corgi Puppies For Sale At Arthur Corgi Puppies For Sale At Arthur | corgi puppies for sale at arthur