The Well-Adjusted Puppy

​Who doesn’t love puppies?! One of the first things we have to think about when we bring our furry little bundle home is how to properly socialize him or her. However, we don’t only need to get them used to other dogs, but to anything they might encounter throughout their lives! This may seem like a HUGE job, but there are some definite benefits to having a confident canine. 

​First, let’s discuss socialization in general. A puppy’s social period starts at 3 weeks of age and goes to about 3 months of age. It is the time in a dog’s life when they can readily accept new things and learn to be fearless! This is the prime time for puppy to learn that things, people, places and noises are safe. They also develop their social skills at this age by learning how to read body language. Puppies who have not had enough positive interactions at this age tend to be fearful of unfamiliar things. The clock is already ticking when we bring puppy home; we need to socialize, socialize, socialize! Be careful and go slow is my advice. 

So that means exposing your puppy to all kinds of things is enough, right? Not exactly! We need to make sure that our puppy is experiencing positive interactions, so they aren’t afraid. Using lots of treats and calm praise will help make things positive.
There are a lot of different things to consider when socializing a puppy. Firstly, you want your dog to be comfortable around people. Dr. Sophia Yin, a well known behavioral specialist, recommends introducing a puppy to people of different sizes, ages, shapes and ethnicity, as well as children of different ages. 

Having your puppy well socialized to other dogs is also extremely important and can be easier than you think. You want to keep the interactions brief and controlled in the beginning and remember: positive associations are made by food, play and positive attention so make sure there is plenty to go around. A crucial point is to make sure the other dogs are calm and friendly, so your puppy doesn’t become afraid.
Another thing to think about is introducing the puppy to different surfaces, like the metal of a veterinarian's table (have pup walk on a cookie sheet during this stage), grass, gravel, pavement and water. Also, don't forget to socialize the puppy to various animal species, like cats, cows, chickens or rabbits. 

It is crucial to get your puppy used to sounds, as a dog’s hearing is much better than our own. Sounds like thunder, the doorbell and babies crying will be much easier for your dog to react to if they have a positive association with them. You can find most of these sounds on the internet (sites like YouTube). You can play them for your puppy, starting with the volume low and working your way up, making sure to reward calm behaviour with treats or play.
The most important thing to remember when socializing your puppy is to watch their reactions. You want your puppy to be relaxed no matter what situation they are in. Your puppy may be feeling scared or overwhelmed if they start panting excessively, tucking their tail, pulling their ears back or freezing up. If at any point your puppy starts showing signs of fear or anxiety, take a step back and re-introduce the stimuli at a continuously lower level until the puppy is relaxed then work your way back up. 

Properly socializing your puppy is a lot of work and a big commitment, but it is well worth it in the end. 
If you have a new puppy, take a look at this checklist from Dr. Sophia Yin's website!
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