This will be brief, but very powerful information. Puppy socialization has gone down a very strange path with so many dog trainers. Many believe that puppies should not interact with the environment at all. For some reason, they believe puppies should be focused on you at all times.

Like I mentioned before, it is common for puppies to be mindlessly lured around with food, which never gives them the opportunity to know what’s going on around them. Many trainers teach that your puppy should not be allowed to approach people and interact with them when you take them out for a walk. I completely disagree with this.

This type of training is rooted in the fear of losing control and reflects a trainer's inability to teach your dog how to go through life seeing you as a teammate and partner.

In fact, as I explain in Introduction to Leash Walking for Puppies, I allow puppies to interact with as many people as possible.

I let them see and experience the world with my help.

This creates an understanding that we will encounter life TOGETHER. Introduction to Leash Walking for Puppies goes into detail about this, and why it is so beneficial. In the video, I show an interaction with a woman and her little baby while I’m out walking with a very young puppy. Most trainer's would use food and a high pitched voice to avoid this encounter, in some attempt to prove that they can avoid a "distraction".

Instead, I introduce the puppy and show him that this is part of every day life.

I also explain how YOUR interaction with people while you are walking your puppy will and teach the puppy extremely valuable lessons. I also discuss why I LOVE to use a Flexi retractable leash for introducing puppies to the world. We will talk more about Flexi leashes in the future :)

There is so much misinformation out there… don’t be fooled.