Puppy Socialization: How to Do It Right
Puppy Socialization: How to Do It Right
When it's time to bring your new puppy home, there are lots of important things to consider, like where will they sleep, do you have the proper food and treats, do you have the right-sized collar, training, and lots more! One thing that should be near the top of a new pet parent's list is having a plan to ensure your puppy is safely and properly socialized. Proper socialization from a young age is one of the most important things a new pet parent can do to help set up their puppy for a lifetime of success.
What is Socialization?
Socialization is when you expose your puppy to new and different places, people, things, and animals in a safe and positive way. Proper socialization is essential to a pup's development and can help your new fuzzy friend grow into a confident, well-adjusted dog. Socialization from a young age helps your puppy learn how to behave in a variety of situations, so they are more comfortable with changes to their environment.
Why Is It Important?
Proper socialization can help deter the development of unwanted behaviors throughout a dog's lifetime. If a puppy is not properly socialized, it can become nervous, and even aggressive. This can lead to a host of problems down the road, like separation anxiety, fear, and aggression.
How to Get Started
The socialization process starts with your pup's mother, littermates, and breeder. The next steps are up to you, pet parent! When you bring your new friend home, slowly (and safely) introduce them to new things, like new sights, sounds, and smells. Remember, everything is new to this little guy, so you don't want to overwhelm them. Start with small experiences and over time, you can increase the challenges from there. For example, you can start by introducing your puppy to just a few friends or family members instead of taking them to a large get-together. This can be a lot for a puppy!
Make It Positive
When introducing new things to your puppy, make it a positive experience. Treats and praise go a long way in helping your puppy associate these new experiences with good things.
Remain Calm
Dogs can sense our emotions, so if you're nervous about introducing your puppy to something new (like another dog or cat), your puppy will feel the same way.
Vaccinations & Going Out In Public
Before you take them to a dog park or out in public, make sure your puppy is up to date on all the shots they need to protect them from things like parvovirus and canine distemper. Seven to ten days after they've received their full series of puppy vaccinations, you can safely start bringing them to public places like trails, beaches, or dog parks.
Puppy Classes
Puppy classes are hosted in a safe and controlled environment. This is a great way to introduce your pup to other dogs and people. These classes will also help teach your dog basic commands. A win-win!
By properly socializing your puppy from a young age, you're helping set them up for a lifetime of success. Slowly introducing your new canine companion to a variety of people, places, and things throughout their life will help them build confidence and a positive relationship with the environment around them. If you have any questions about how to properly socialize your puppy, let us know! The experts at The Family Puppy are here to help guide you every step of the way.