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

When a puppy becomes 3 weeks old, they are starting to be able to see and hear. This is the time where they start to remember what's going on around around them. It's extremely important to start socialization at this stage. Don't overwhelm them or scare them. Just start with normal everyday routines. Let them get used to the noise of the house. Don't baby your puppy. While your cooking bang the pots around. When your cleaning let the listen to the different sounds. Start the car and let them go for a ride. Most of the socialization will come from their mother, and litter mates at this stage. They will learn how to socialize with other animals, and mimic how their mom socializes with you.

Stage 2: 8 to 10 Weeks

This is your puppies fearful stage. In this stage it's important to socialize them with gentle and loving people. They should not be harshly disciplined during this period of time, and should be handled with care. Use soothing tones, and be soft with your puppy. This is where your puppy learns that humans are great. They are the ones who take care of them, give them attention, and love you when they need it. So be especially careful when they are being handled by children. Make sure nobody pulls their ears, tail, or hair. Also, that there is no hitting on the child's part, and no biting on the dogs part. NONE of any kind. It's cute when they are puppies, but they get bigger and then 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.