Sunny, the newest member of the White House family

I am a big fan of the dogs of US Presidents.   No matter how tough and sometimes even hated the US President can be on the policy issues he makes, seeing him with a dog always somehow makes me feel that he is a warm person deep inside.

Among my fave White House pooches are Scottish Terriers Barney and Miss Beasley, who were often photographed with their humans, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. And then there is Buddy, the Labrador of former President Bill Clinton.  I will also add Mr. Falla, the Scottish Terrier of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

And, then just recently I was more than thrilled when I read on www.huffingtonpost.com that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle have gotten a one-year-old Portuguese Waterdog named Sunny.

Here is the short article on Huffingtonpost.com:

“President Barack Obama and his family welcomed Sunny, a one-year-old female Portuguese Waterdog, to the family on Monday, according to the White House.

“Sunny, who will join the Obamas’ four-year-old dog Bo, was described by the White House as ‘full of energy and very affectionate.’

“First Lady Michelle Obama shared a photo of Sunny and Bo on her Twitter account to introduce the pup, as did President Barack Obama on his Twitter account.

“The Obama family is making a contribution to the Washington Humane Society in honor of Sunny, according to the White House.”

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In other reports I have been following on Sunny, I read that Michelle Obama felt that Bo needed a doggy companion because he was not getting enough doggy socialization. 

For many dog humans, it is quite understandable that one of the best things for a dog or even a cat is that they are able to socialize with, not only people, but also other dogs and cats.  Pet socialization makes for a better-adjusted pet and a happier one, too.

A properly socialized puppy is well adjusted and makes a good companion. It is neither frightened by nor aggressive towards anyone or anything it would normally meet in day-to-day living. An un-socialized dog is untrustworthy and an unwanted liability. They often become fear-biters.

This explains why many of the dogs that are tied up in homes bite. Often, it is because they have not been properly socialized. Un-socialized dogs cannot adapt to new situations and a simple routine visit to the vet is a nightmare, not only for the dog, but also for everyone involved.

Socialization Do’s

Make sure that each of the following events are pleasant and non-threatening. If your puppy’s first experience with something is painful and frightening, you will be defeating the purpose. It’s better to go too slow and assure your puppy is not frightened or injured rather than to rush and force your pup into meeting new things and people.

• Invite friends over to meet your pup. Include men, women, youngsters, oldsters and just as many people as possible.

• Invite friendly, healthy, vaccinated dogs, puppies and even cats to your home to meet and play with your new puppy. Take your puppy to the homes of these pets, preferably with dog-friendly cats.

• Carry your pup to shopping centers, parks, school playgrounds — places where there are crowds of people and plenty of activity.

• Take your puppy for short, frequent rides in the car. Stop the car and let your puppy watch the world go by through the window.

• Introduce your puppy to umbrellas, bags, and boxes — encourage your puppy to explore and investigate his environment.

• Get your puppy accustomed to seeing different and unfamiliar objects by creating your own. Set a chair upside down. Lay the trash can (empty) on its side, set up the ironing board right side-up one day and upside down the next day.

• Introduce your puppy to new and various sounds. Loud, obnoxious sounds should be introduced from a distance and gradually brought closer.

• Accustom your puppy to being brushed, bathed, inspected, having its nails clipped, teeth and ears cleaned and all the routines of grooming and physical examination.

• Introduce your puppy to stairs, his own collar and leash. Introduce anything and everything you want your puppy to be comfortable with and around.

Socialization Don'ts

• Do not put your puppy on the ground where unknown animals have access. This is where your puppy can pick up diseases. Wait until your puppy’s shots are completed. Do not let your pup socialize with dogs that appear sick or dogs that may not have been vaccinated.

• Do not reward fearful behavior. In a well-meaning attempt to soothe, encourage or calm the puppy when it appears frightened, we often unintentionally reward the behavior. It’s normal for the puppy to show some signs of apprehension when confronting anything new and different.

• Do not force or rush your puppy. Let your puppy take things at his own pace. Your job is to provide the opportunity.

• Do not do too much at one time. Young puppies need a lot of sleep and tire quickly. It is much more productive to have frequent and very brief exposures than occasional prolonged exposures.

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I am a believer in the fact that good pet parents allow their pets to get socialized.  When I have any of my doggy companions with me, I make sure to introduce them to every person I meet, even at the cost of sometimes seeming a little cuckoo to those who are uninitiated on the importance of pet socialization.  I enjoy it when I see that my doggy companions like to be held and cuddled by as many people as they meet — and I am also happy when they like to share what they have with their other doggie siblings.

My wish for a better Philippines?

That P-Noy gets a pet.