How to socialize a puppy
How can socialization help?
Effective socialization is vital for you and your puppy’s life together, as it can have a huge impact on a puppy's long-term physical and mental wellbeing. While it only takes a few weeks to socialize your puppy, the lessons they learn in the first months of their life can guide them for a lifetime.
1: Time is of the essence
The sooner you start socialization the simpler and more rewarding it will be for you and your puppy.
2: Socialization is a process
Take things one step at a time. Don’t overload your puppy with stimulation.
3: Go at your puppy’s pace
Every puppy’s pace of development is different, so never force your puppy to try something they are not comfortable with. If they are scared, take a step back and try another day. If your puppy appears intimidated, rethink how you can introduce them to the situation in a different context.
4: Positive reinforcement
While exposing your puppy to new experiences is vital, those experiences must be backed up with rewards (play, food or affection) to reinforce desired behaviour.
What should you introduce to your puppy?
The suggestions below are the type of settings, situations and experiences that will help socialize your puppy:
Noises
Places
People
Surfaces
Weather
Wherever you go with your puppy, it’s important to stay calm and make them feel that these new experiences are normal.
Your puppy’s socialization timeline
Birth to two months
These first two months with their mother and litter-mates are vital for the effective socialization of a puppy. The behaviours learned, experiences faced and interactions they have with humans, as well as their mother’s health and temperament, all have a huge part to play in their behavioural development. As a prospective owner, you should take the time to visit potential breeders and check on:
Two to three months
From the moment your puppy arrives in their new home, gradually start the socialization process, create learning experiences and reward good behaviour. Even though your puppy is yet to be fully vaccinated, that shouldn’t stop you from taking them outside, letting them meet people or play in the backyard. Just ensure that your puppy only meets dogs that have been fully vaccinated.
Three to four months
Once all vaccinations have been complete, you and your puppy can confidently start to explore further afield. This is a key period of learning for the puppy, so the more time you spend together and the more effort you put into socialization the better. All that hard work will pay off.
Start early in your puppy’s life when they are most receptive to new experiences
Introduce your puppy to new things gradually and regularly
Expose your puppy to as many positive experiences as possible
If your puppy reacts strangely, or with uncertainty, to a new situation – distract them. Stay cheerful and offer a treat or reward
Observation before participation
You should always allow your puppy to calmly observe any new environment or experience, before they get involved too deeply. Forcing your puppy to confront new situations, people or places without giving them time to acclimatize and make sense of it can lead to negative memories and behaviours. Here are three simple tips to aid that process