Socializing Your Dog
When we get a new puppy, we are often overwhelmed with all the various aspects and responsibilities that come with being a pet-owner. There are vaccinations to get, and a family environment to establish, as well as adjustments to make. One thing many new pet owners overlook is the importance of socializing in the early weeks of life.
Many think that it's best to wait until after their pup's had all their shots and had some time to acclimate before they take them out into the world, but this could actually be a damaging way to approach socializing your dog. Check out our tips below to make sure your pet gets the most out of socialization and has every opportunity to become a confident, well-adjusted dog.
Start Early
While it is definitely important to make sure your dog is protected in his early weeks before he's had all his vaccinations, it's also important to start socializing your pup as early as two weeks, and preferably no later than about six weeks. Dogs are most impressionable before eighteen weeks of age, so if you wait until vaccinations are done – around sixteen weeks of age – you'll have a dog that's already started to become shy, defensive, and set in their ways.
So how do you safely expose your dog to others while he's still in that early, delicate stage? Choosing dogs carefully is imperative; friends and their pets that are current on their shots and well-cared for are a good starting point. Another option is puppy kindergarten, which is a great way to get pups socialized safely. Knowledgeable, experienced staff will make sure that your dog learns to play well with others, whether he is rough and hyper or shy and withdrawn.
Vary the Experiences
It is important that your puppy not only see many new dogs and people, but also new places. Take your dog to the groomer, the pet store, the park, friends' houses, or for a walk around the neighborhood. Meeting new people in new places at a young age will help your puppy to feel safer and more comfortable when she encounters unfamiliar circumstances.
It is important to continue this exposure after the first eighteen weeks have passed, always broadening your dog's horizons. This will ensure that no matter where she goes or who she meets, your dog is comfortable and secure in her surroundings.
Have A Plan
You'll quickly learn your puppy's temperament and personality, so use this knowledge to make a plan before heading out. If your puppy is extremely shy, then guide him to playful, friendly puppies that don't roughhouse too much, and allow him to open up gradually. Alternately, if your puppy is friendly and outgoing, then be prepared to monitor while he plays and stop him if things become too rough, as too much rough play going unchecked in the early months can result in an obnoxious, reckless adult dog that will be harder to train.
Never push or force your puppy into something he's not comfortable doing – if he's afraid, then pushing him might just cause trauma and set you back. Instead, let him take his time and reward his bravery. Reward your dog plentifully when you're out and about; this will reinforce his socializing and create a positive correlation to new experiences.
Socializing your dog is one of the best things you can do as a pet owner, both for yourself and your dog. It not only makes your dog happier and more outgoing on a day-to-day basis, but can be especially helpful in case your dog gets lost or you have to do something drastic, like move or alter your life habits significantly. It might not seem like socializing is that important, but the skills it will teach your dog to be well-adjusted and secure in himself, which will in turn make both your lives easier and more enjoyable. It's just another great way to keep your dog happy and healthy every single day!
