Today we had the opportunity to take the Princess out for her first major lesson (and test!) in socialization.
According to Schutzhund USA,
A puppy learns from its experiences, so you want to provide only positive ones. It should be provided with opportunity to explore and investigate new situations and new people, but always in a non-threatening way. Remember that your goal is to build confidence in the young animal. Your aim is not to dominate or oppress the young pup.
Exposure to different environments is crucial to the general education of the dog and also to assure it that the world is a safe place. If something appears to make the dog unsure, give it the opportunity to investigate it slowly, but do not force the issue.
The goal for today was to expose the Princess to new and different dogs, people and places in a positive, non-threatening way and I think we achieved that goal. We did not achieve this goal via a structured doggy curriculum. Nay, we simply sallied forth into the throng of pet-wielding humanity.
We went to a large outdoor event where the two standard house pets were welcomed. We spent an hour and a half there mostly walking around letting people oo and ah over the Princess.
I can’t say I am surprised that people think she’s beautiful but I certainly wasn’t expecting such a response from so many people.
There were lots of dogs and at least one cat there. The dogs were a variety of breeds (some individual dogs were a variety of breeds 
– Go Mutts!) and temperaments. Thankfully the temperaments weren’t so varied that I feared for our safety, though there was one dog that was a little excited to be there! If that was my dog, I think I would’ve gone and sat under a somewhat remote tree so the dog could spend some time getting used to the idea of lots of people and pets.
Out of all those dogs there today, several of which were young, puppish dogs, I kept hearing, “Oh, look at that puppy!” or “What a beautiful puppy!” They were, of course, referring to Heidi. Quite a few people came up to us and asked to pet the Princess. (There are people in the world with the good sense to ask first!) We let everyone pet her who wanted to and she didn’t complain. She took it like a real trooper. What a sacrifice it was for her, I’m sure! *rolling my eyes*
The Princess made friends with what we shall hereafter refer to as the pink beagle. We encountered this sweet, pink beagle several times during our Socialization Trek. Her master and mistress seemed pleased with the little friendship. I should’ve gotten their names. The dogs were so sweet together – a gentle, fat little sausage of a dog and a curious and slightly perkier, slightly taller, hieroglyph-personidogged, er, -dogsonified, er, -fleshed-out.
The Princess got lots of attention but it was pretty hot and humid and, even though we kept her hydrated, she decided she had had enough, made herself comfortable on the ground and waited for her litter, borne on the shoulders of half a dozen burly, sun-bronzed menservants, to whisk her away to parts air conditioned.
Well they never showed up for some reason so I handed the doggy bag, formerly my purse, to the nearest burly man and we made our way back to our vehicle and headed for home.
Now she sleeps at the end of a bed where a ceiling fan and the air conditioning keep her cool and comfortable for the night.
Thank You, God of the universe and beyond, for the luxury of central air! And thank You for this dog!
