| What do we mean with "puppy socialization"? | | | | eliminates aggression towards them. |
| When we talk about puppy socialization we actually | | | | - Last but not least, socialization feeds all the dog's |
| refer to the first 16 weeks of the dog's life. These 16 | | | | senses and provides him with positive emotional and |
| weeks are quite important for our puppy's life and they | | | | mental stimulation. |
| define our dog's character in the future. | | | | What are the problems we may face if we don't |
| During these weeks we will develop the character and | | | | socialize our puppy? |
| behaviour habits of our puppy and this will last for his | | | | Unfortunately the number one reason why dogs are |
| whole life. It will define how our puppy will relate to his | | | | euthanized is the lack of socialization. It is really sad |
| family, our friends, strangers, other animals and the | | | | that this thing happens, since it's very easy to socialize |
| environment where he lives. | | | | a puppy. |
| Socialization stimulates all the senses of the dog. It | | | | - If you don't socialize your dog during the first 16 |
| introduces and exposes our puppy to the smells, | | | | weeks of its life it will be much more difficult, if |
| sounds, sights, tastes, and touch of his everyday life. | | | | impossible to do it later. |
| The period of socialization prepares our puppy for | | | | - You end up with a dog full of problems that can't fit in |
| many different situations and things he needs to be | | | | properly in society and can't be trusted either. It is really |
| familiar with and makes him comfortable with them. | | | | very sad, especially for the dog that will end up living |
| Also it prepares our puppy to deal with new | | | | for the rest of his life in a confined space. |
| challenges which show up throughout his life in the | | | | - Dogs that don't get socialized are often shy, |
| good manner. | | | | aggressive and fearful of people and animals. They |
| During socialization you build a close and very special | | | | also aren't very good at relating with other dogs. |
| bond with your dog that will last for the rest of his life. It | | | | - Your puppy's physical and emotional health can be |
| depends on you whether your puppy will become an | | | | endangered if he doesn't receive early social |
| adjusted and reliable member of society or not. | | | | stimulation. |
| We have an obligation to give our puppies a whole | | | | - Changes, unexpected events or experiences are not |
| course of socialization and training-all dogs need them | | | | received well by dogs that aren't socialized. We must |
| regardless of breed, regardless of where we got | | | | find the balance between making them cautious and |
| them. (Pet shop, shelter, etc.) | | | | also confident to explore and learn new things. |
| There are two basic types of puppy socialization: | | | | When does the puppy start socializing? |
| Active- When we introduce our dog to several things | | | | The puppy starts socialization from the moment he |
| such as walks in the park, visiting new people, car | | | | comes into this world. The puppy's mother begins this |
| rides, obedience training, etc. | | | | process by massaging the puppy to control the |
| Passive- Things our puppies meet and get to know by | | | | elimination, also through smell, sound and body |
| themselves, like playing with new toys, exploring the | | | | language. Also the mother teaches the puppy discipline. |
| garden, etc. | | | | The puppy's siblings also help each other by playing |
| Note: Before starting your puppy's socialization you | | | | and interacting. They all learn to inhibit their bite and |
| should always consult with your veterinarian because | | | | they also learn the language of dominance and |
| the need for educating our puppy mustn't come | | | | submission. |
| against the necessity of keeping him safe from | | | | The breeder's role is also crucial in the first weeks of |
| diseases. | | | | the puppy's life. He must get them used to human |
| Why do we have to socialize our puppy? | | | | contact and scent. Also he must help our puppy get |
| - The first 16 weeks of our puppy's life is a very critical | | | | accustomed with basic training. |
| period, it's when we will shape our dog's temper, | | | | How can we socialize our puppy? |
| character and behaviour habits. If we fail to socialize | | | | When the puppy is about 8 weeks old we usually get |
| our puppy during this period it will be very difficult to | | | | it home. Right after that we must start the process of |
| change bad habits later and fix the problems he may | | | | socialization. We must also be careful during his first |
| show in the future. | | | | weeks at home to avoid things that may scare our |
| - Taking care of possible problems before they | | | | puppy (a big dog approaching, aggressive children etc) |
| appear through socialization is much easier and | | | | and traumatize him for ever. |
| tempting than trying to correct them afterwards | | | | House and crate training, chew toy training must start |
| (separation anxiety, uncontrollable barking, chewing | | | | immediately and it can strengthen the behaviour we |
| objects, aggression towards people and other dogs | | | | desire and also stop bad habits from appearing. |
| etc) | | | | We must cuddle our puppy while talking gently to it, |
| - Puppy socialization is very important if we want to | | | | stroke its belly and even invite other people to do so. |
| build a strong bond with our dog, a bond we will share | | | | Some basic training and commands such as sit, down, |
| with him for all his life. The more time we spend with | | | | stay and the recall are also important during the first |
| our puppy during socialization the more benefits we'll | | | | weeks and help build up a close bond with the puppy |
| obtain in the future. | | | | and also keep him safe. |
| Puppies that haven't been socialized can end up being | | | | Involve the puppy to your daily routine, everything you |
| very difficult characters than puppies that received a | | | | do and keep a close eye to him. The puppy must get |
| proper socialization. | | | | familiar with your routine and everything that happens |
| - Your puppy's socialization has a bigger influence on | | | | in the house, so that he can be relaxed in this |
| its behaviour that the breed he is- it is very important. | | | | environment and things in it like dishwasher, TV and |
| -A puppy that is properly socialized can learn, think and | | | | kids. |
| process problems easier than a stressed dog or a dog | | | | Also the puppy must get familiar with other people in |
| full of fear- in fact the latter is very restricted to these | | | | order to feel comfortable with them, ideally in the |
| issues. | | | | puppy's environment until his vaccinations are |
| - A socialized dog can easily accept new people or | | | | completed. |
| new dogs, or changes (house change) or challenges. | | | | Most of all, we must keep in mind that all the work we |
| - Socialization prepares our dog for the challenges of | | | | do in order to socialize our puppy must have fun. It's |
| everyday life. Items in the house such as the TV, the | | | | not only a task that must be completed, but it's an |
| dishwasher or other animals in the house such as cats | | | | excellent change to watch your puppy grow and |
| and birds will be easy for him to deal with. | | | | experience new things every day. So, have a lot of |
| - Socialization also teaches your dog how to interact | | | | fun with it. |
| without problems with other people or animals and | | | | |