How to socialize your puppy(& why you need to)

Taking the time to socialize your puppy is an important part of your puppy care `duties` - but it`s one many owners skimp on!

`Socializing your puppy` basically just means helping Fido to become more confident in social settings and it should be a fun activity - not a chore. 

Of course, most puppies are naturally happy, friendly little furballs who want to be best friends with everyone they meet. But this often doesn`t last.

They`re creatures of habit and as a puppy matures, if he only gets to see the same half-dozen people, in the same environment, day after day - then he`s going to feel anxious, stressed or even scared when he finds himself in a new situation or faced with new people or animals.

This is upsetting for both of you, and can lead a pup to become snappy or defensive whenever he`s out of his comfort zone, even a trip to the vet`s office can become an ordeal.

BUT if you get your pup familiar with different people, animals, places, noises, sounds and so on from a young age, then he will grow up to be a happy, confident and friendly adult who can accompany you anywhere.

That`s why it`s so important to socialize your puppy!

When Should I Start To Socialize My Puppy?

Puppies grow and develop at a very rapid rate during the first yearof their lives. If you want the very best results when socializing apuppy, you need to get the timing right!

Puppy socialization isn`t limited to learning about the humanworld, it also includes learning proper `dog` behavior within a `pack`or family of canines.

That`s why it`s generally recommended that you don`t remove apuppy from it`s mom and litter mates before a minimum of 8 weeks of age.

Puppies begin learning about their world as soon as their eyes and earsopen at about 2 - 3 weeks old, and the intricacies of canine behaviorare a good place to start.

If their mom is a well socialized, calm and friendly dog, her attitude and behavior will rub off on her puppies. Puppies also learn bite-inhibition (how hard they can bite without getting in trouble!) through play with their siblings.

The most critical socialization period for puppies is between 3 and 17 weeks of age, and it`s important to make sure you begin to introduce your pup to new people, pets and places as soon as you can. Definitely by the time she`s 12 to 16 weeks old.

BUT you need to be very careful to begin with and limit your puppy`s social interaction to SAFE places, people and pets. This is because until her puppy vaccinations are completed, she`s at risk catching of several serious diseases... one of the most dangerous being Parvovirus.

So, until all the shots are done - limit your pup`s excursions to the homes of people whose dogs are fully vaccinated, or invite friends/relatives to bring their (again, fully vaccinated) pets to your home.

Puppy Socialization 101

When you begin the puppy socialization process by inviting people of different ages,sexes, sizes etc., over to meet her, make sure it`s always a pleasant experience for her.

Have the visitors feed her treats and pet here quietly andcalmly. Praise your puppy whenever she reacts with confidence and isfriendly and outgoing.

Don`t `coddle` her if she seems afraid, insteadencourage her to be social, using a bright, friendly voice and upbeatmanner.

Your little one`s first visit to the veterinarian`s office can be a terrificearly socialization experience. Most staff will greet your puppy warmlyand be only to happy to give her treats and cuddles.

Again, don`t make the mistake of `baby-ing` your pup if she seemsnervous, use a confident, happy voice and show her there`s nothing tobe afraid of.

You can also arrange some `play-dates` with other friendly,vaccinated dogs/puppies at your house. Your best friend`s pooch, or yoursister`s pup are a good place to start.

Always supervise these interactions carefully though, so that she doesn`t get scared or overwhelmed. When you`re socializing yourpuppy you want the experience to be fun for her and have pleasantassociations in her little puppy brain.

That`s how you build up herself-confidence and help her learn that the world is full of excitingnew people, places and fun!

As soon as your puppy has had at least 2 sets of shots you canusually enroll her in a puppy socialization/puppy obedience trainingclass.

Individual dog obedience schools do have different policiesregarding shot requirements though, so check first. Some want your puppyto have had ALL their vaccinations first, others will accept a puppywho is up-to-date on the shots required for her age.

These puppy obedience classes are a great way to introduce yourpuppy to other puppies of different ages, sizes and breeds. They providea safe environment for puppies to learn how to play and interactwith other members of their own species.

They also give you theopportunity to socialize with other puppy parents and learn from tipsfrom professional dog trainers!

After your puppy is approximately 12 - 16 weeks old, and has hadall her puppy shots, you can safely begin to take her out and about inthe big, wide world!

In order to fully socialize your puppy, you need to introduce herto as many different people, places, things and experiences aspossible.





For lots of ideas and suggestions on where to go, and what to do, visit my

Puppy Socialization Page - it has tons of them!

Don`t try to cram it all into a week or two though! You don`t want to overwhelm or overstimulate her, that can be counter-productive and stress her out.

Allow each new experience time to be absorbed and processed before moving onto the next one. When you`re trying to socialize your puppy, one new person, place or thing per day is usually enough.

And leave a couple of days, free once a week so that to relax and re-charge her batteries at home.

Puppies are adorable and people usually react favorably to a cutefurball. So take advantage of puppyhood and let her experienceas many new sights, sounds, people and places as you can manage.

Puppy socialization shouldn`t end at 17 weeks of course, itshould be an ongoing, life-long commitment. Somewhere between 4 &12 months of age, breed-specific differences in behavior start toappear.

For example, a pup from one of the guardian breeds will begin toshow signs of increased territorial and protective behavior. It`sespecially important to continue to socialize your puppy in this case sothat appropriate social behavior is reinforced and rewarded.

A confident, friendly, well-behaved dog is a treasure, and a joy to own.

If you take the time to socialize your puppy properly, you`llreap the rewards for years to come. Fluffy little Fifi will mature into aloving, confident and reliable companion that you can be proud to haveaccompany you anywhere, anytime.

Related pages............

Video: How to Socialize Your Puppy

Video: How To Socialize A Dog - Amazing Steps To Train Your Puppies


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