Why you need to continuously take your dog out into public environments even as an adult dog

​We all know that public socialization is necessary for puppies, but did you know that you need to extend that past the puppy phase?
Why do you ask? 
Puppies go through different phases of maturing, with the most crucial phase for public desensitization being the phase between the 2-4 months of age because they are the most fearless and outgoing there. After that, they get more conscious about their environments and try to categorize events as good or bad. As the pup matures, it will go through many of these phases, and staying on top of them with adequately guided exposure is vital for raising a well-mannered dog. The key point here is desensitization; the more they see and get exposed to things and events in a teaching way, the more they will get used to it. For example, the first time I saw a giant roach ( aka palmetto bug) and a snake here, it freaked me out. I was about to burn down my house if it wasn’t for my exterminator; I am not kidding. The more I saw those giant roaches over the years and got educated about them, the less they fazed me, and now I may say “Eww” before sweeping them away. 
In the same way, you need to keep exposing and educating your dog about public environments. It is never just a one-and-done. Even as adult dogs, they need to see and experience things outside their usual and routine environments. Keep taking your dog to Lowe’s, Home Depot and Tractor Supply, and keep practicing their obedience there. Btw, that is also a good way to exercise your dog during the summer months when it is too hot for long training and play sessions outside in the open.