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Puppy
Socialization
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Puppy-hood is the single greatest
opportunity to positively influence your dog's behavioral
development. Poorly socialized dogs are much more likely to
respond fearfully to unfamiliar people, dogs and experiences.
Socialize your puppy early so it will grow up to be comfortable with the
everyday elements of its environment.
Puppies are most accepting of new
experiences until the age of about 12 weeks. After 12 weeks,
puppies proceed with caution when encountering new experiences.
Proper socialization requires exposure to
people, pets, places, sounds, smells and experiences your dog will be
subjected to in its future life, including but not limited to:
| baths |
collar & lead |
hats, coats, umbrellas |
| being held |
crowds |
household appliances |
| being picked up |
crying babies |
moving feet |
| bikes |
doorbells |
nail trimming |
| blow dryer |
drive-thrus |
phones ringing |
| car rides |
ear cleaning |
skate boards |
| car wash |
feet handling |
teeth cleaning |
| cats & other
animals |
garbage trucks |
traffic |
| children, men, women |
grooming |
trains |
Group Puppy Classes are a wonderful place
for your puppy to learn many new things and get some vital socialization
at the same time. But, if you are worried about group puppy
classes before your puppy is fully vaccinated, try the following:
- Drive to a busy store, or mall, and
hang out with your puppy on a mat near the entrance. All kinds
of people will usually flock to you, pet your puppy and you can
provide treats for the people to feed your puppy.
- Have a Puppy Party with friends and
play music, drop things that make noise and pass the puppy around to
be held and petted.
- Take your puppy to indoor meetings and
let lots of different people interact with and hold your puppy.
- Play sound-desensitization CD's of a
whole range of everyday sounds.
- Take drives to different places (the
country, the city, car wash, drive-thrus, etc.) and leave the window
open so your puppy can experience different sights, sounds and
smells.
- Take long walks with your puppy in a
stroller, wagon or carry the puppy.
It is not advisable to expose young
puppies to dog parks or other places likely contaminated with dog feces
until the puppy is fully vaccinated.
Delaying vital puppy socialization often
has negative long-term behavioral consequences and increases the
likelihood of behavior problems in the future such as fear and
aggression. So ....
Socialize Your Puppy
Early and Thoroughly |
