As mans best friend, we want our cherished fido to be well mannered in the varied social situations he finds himself. This tutoring needs to start while the hound is young. We want the puppy  not to be startled or belligerent towards people or other pets. Puppy socialisation is a crucial part of dog care.
Research at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine showed that the first 12 weeks are crucial, and the easiest for socialisation. For many puppies this period is dealt with by the breeder. After that period it is still key, but takes more energy and effort and planning. This is also the experience of professional dog sitters who are frequently asked for help.
Dogs are just like us, if the first experience is painful, we will keep away from or be anxious at similar occasions, soone step at a time. Encourage compel the puppy. Take no risks. Yound pups rapidly tire and need to rest often, so short and often is a rule to follow.
So what approach should I take?
• Invite friends and family, small, large, varied looking, different sexes. Be careful and fully monitor experiences with other kids.
•  Introduce him to a collar and then a leash. Just put the collar on, later attach the leash and let him walk around with it, then you can take him for a walk around the house. Carefully choose a lightweight buckle collar with a puppy.
• Visit your families and friend and families in their apartments.
• Try and meet different mutts, especially other sociable, healthy and vaccinated bitches. Be prudent until the puppy is fully vaccinated, meeting  fidos that you do not know.
• If you know friends with mutt friendly cats, see if you can visit?
• Meet other animals, do you have a local farm near you? Difficult in towns, but if you go away for the weekend.
•  Life in a car is key. So take puppy out for as many convenient short rides in the car. Park up and let pooch observe the world pass by, in the safety of the car. This will introduce him to noisy. Initiate him to other piercing noises such as drills.
•  Carry or walk him to places where there is local commotion such as the mall and open spaces. Find a pub or coffee house where you can sit outside with your hound and watch the world go by. Loads of people will introduce themselves to him.
• Introduce your pup to activities in the house, paying attention to safety, vacuuming, preparing food and TV.
• Puppy grooming, a great time for you and him, develop the routine of brushing, bathing and inspection.
• Careful with training the pup on stairs, if you are a typical town apartment owner, this may be problematic.

Dog socialisation, do not procrastinate and do something today and have a wonderful sociable dog.