There are crucial time periods in a dog's life where they need to be socialized to live a normal, non-aggressive non-fearful life. If dogs are not socialized in these stages of their lives they may never recover. This leads the dog to be fearful of, and aggressive to stressful situations, other animals, and to humans. Some of these dogs are so extreme they can not be any family's pet, or companion. More often than not, these extreme dogs are put to sleep, and to think these loving pets could have been saved.

As a dog owner, it's crucial to know how to socialize your puppy to avoid dog aggression later in life. Here are the important beginning stages of a dogs life and what to do when they are going through them.

Stage 1: 3 to 8 Weeks

As soon as little puppy is able to hear and see, which comes around 3 weeks old, they begin to memorize their surroundings. They refer to these memory file every time something happens in their lives. Whatever experiences they have between now and the next few weeks determines how they will react to things later in life. Socialize to new sounds, and scary sights. Introduce them to clanking pots, and dishes, or the starting and even the ride of the car. Do normal everyday things, not worrying about how the puppy will feel. Don't go too extreme. They are still little puppies. Also, remember most of what they will learn up until they are 8 weeks old will come from their mother and siblings. Don't take them from their mother, or siblings until this time. They will learn to socialize with each other. How to play properly with animals, and they will mimic how their mom treats humans, and other house pets. Plus, this is where your puppy will pick up potty training by coping mom. So see 3-8 weeks, can be the beginning to a beautiful friendship, or a disaster between you and your loving pet.

Stage 2: 8 to 10 Weeks

During this stage is when a puppy becomes more fearful. They're starting to understand their surroundings. Don't discipline them harshly in this stage, and make sure that everyone they come in contact with is gentle and loving, especially the children. When your puppy plays with kids, make sure that the puppy doesn't bite, not even nibble. This just makes it OK for them to do it when they're older, and when they're are full grown dogs the biting isn't so cute anymore.

Also, to better socialize your puppy make sure you touch their paws, ears, snout, and tail on a regular basis. This makes the puppy comfortable with being touched so later it doesn't take it as a sign of a threat.

Another matter you need to address is food and eating habits. While your puppy is eating reach over and pet them. Use soothing tones, and tell them how good they are. Don't take their food unless you think they have had enough. You want your puppy to get used to you handling them while they eat. Most dog bites come from the dog not being comfortable around them while they eat, or used to anyone taking their food. A dog will bite to protect whats theirs.

Stage 3: 10 to 14 Weeks

Now it's your job as the dog owner to introduce them to everything else. Anything you think they will ever come in contact with, is what you should come in contact with during this time. Let your dog get to know all types of people. People of different races, and both genders. Then, take them out to the dog park and socialize them with all types of dogs. Now they should be accustomed to seeing different things and being in different situations giving them no reason to be fearful or aggressive.

Stage 4: 14 to 15 Weeks

Around 14 weeks old a puppy starts its journey as an adult. This would be a dogs adolescence period being full blown mature adults by the time 14 or 15 months comes around. However, by the time your puppy is 14 weeks old, and has started to show signs of aggression, and fear, it's going to be a lot harder to train them to calm down. After this stage it's not likely that they can ever be trained to be friendly, affectionate, dogs.

At 14 months where they reach maturity this is when they'll start to bark, growl, and be protective of them, you, and their environment. To avoid any of these signs be sure to follow these little and easy tips, and be sure to start as early as possible so you too can have a great relationship with your family pet.

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