Puppy Socialization

Puppy socialization is the exposure to different environments and is multi-faceted. From the time the puppies reach four-to-five weeks old they should have the opportunity for exploration. At this early age, puppies learn at an incredibly quick pace. As a pack, puppies will gain confidence, and as they mature, each puppy will learn independence. Socialization is a process where the puppy is exposed to people, other animals, different places and various circumstances. Through these exposures, the puppy learns about the world around it and how it is expected to behave in that world. It can gain self-assurance and the skills necessary to thrive in its co-habitation with humans. A well-socialized dog is a better companion, show dog, or working dog like the search and rescue dogs. Socialization with strangers is critically important. Regardless of whether the dog will be a working dog, competition dog or family pet, socialization through positive reinforcement is essential. Socialization with strange dogs is important once the puppy is current with vaccinations. Do not assume that all dogs will like your puppy, as many dogs do not like any other dogs. Allowing brief interaction with docile adults or another puppy of a similar age, will satisfy your dog’s needs to meet others like himself and lower his guard of the ‘unknown’ dog.

Puppies normally go into their new homes at age seven or eight weeks; by this age, well-socialized puppies have already seen an assortment of things, heard different noises, and taken in different smells, making them very advanced and more adaptable. It is the new owner’s responsibility to continue the development of his puppy. Puppies grow in stages, and these stages make smoother transitions with a confident puppy. Owners should continue the exposure through the next eight-to-16 weeks by allowing the puppy to investigate his own environment (home) and other environments (away from home). Walks in the woods and exposure to livestock and cats is beneficial at this age. Socialization around other dogs is a different issue.

Socialization begins at birth, and continues for most of the dog’s life. When the puppy is born, we breeders are rubbing the puppy, checking it over, kissing it on the nose. This is a several times daily routine, usually as important for us as it is the dog. When the puppy is 21 days old it will begin to learn, and then the contact with humans becomes critical for that puppy — the feel, the smell, the sound, the sight of people. By the time the puppy leaves the breeder at eight weeks of age or older, it will have been exposed to a number of people, different places (as simple as different rooms of the house and different parts of the yard) and new situations. It will have learned some basic manners, limitations (fingers are not edible!) and perhaps some basic obedience commands (sit, down, come). It will have learned about nail trims and teeth exams. And critically, by interaction with its mother and littermates, it will have learned much about acceptable behavior within a family unit. This is only the start of the socialization process. The puppy will need to learn many new things and how to behave in new circumstances. Puppy kindergarten is an excellent venue for such lessons for the young puppy. As the puppy grows, continued exposure to a wider range of people, places, and animals is critical. It may be lots of work, but it’s worth it!

The socialization of puppies comes from two sources, human and canine. The first acts of socialization come from the interaction between mother and puppies and between littermates. Watch a good mother teach her puppies what is acceptable behavior; they quickly grasp the concept! How puppies react within their litter is important to how they develop later in life. Once the mother’s work is well underway, it is our turn as breeders to assist the process. Exposure to as many different noises, sights, smells and experiences is vital to producing a stable, well-tempered puppy. Car rides, collars, walking on leash, cats, other breeds of dogs, children, high pitched voices and crates all are seemingly simple, everyday stimuli that we expect our dogs to respond favorably to. We often take for granted that these are all new and therefore potentially threatening experiences for a puppy. When some one they have learned to trust exposes them to the new experience, it reduces the stress and can be quickly viewed in a favorable light.

Puppy socialization does not stop with the breeder. It is important that a new owner continue to reinforce positive new experiences. Trips to the various pet supply stores that allow dogs inside is another opportunity to experience new sights, smells and sounds. A well socialized puppy is one that is happy, confident and reacts favorably to any situation he encounters on his journey through life.

The period between three and 16 weeks is very critical in a dog’s development. This time is referred to by dog experts as the canine socialization period. During this time, a puppy learns about the world in which he lives. Everything is a first impression. Everything is a new experience. From these first experiences a puppy’s memory is developed. A puppy is part genetics and part environmental experiences. A reputable breeder has done his part in producing puppies with strong, stable genetic predispositions. At three weeks, a puppy is ready to be molded by each new day and all it brings. It is very important that the breeder expose the young puppy to a safe, happy world full of stimulation, gentle challenges, and positive rewards. Learning during this socialization period is permanent. The puppy carries those first impressions throughout life. It is so important these socialization experiences be positive. Specifics learned during this period include learning how to play. The mother dog teaches the basics, then the puppy tries its new skills with its littermates. Then the breeder introduces toys, reinforcing the fun and reward in playing by the rules. Other important socialization skills to be learned include housebreaking (being a neat dog), spending time in a dog crate (having some quiet time), walking on a leash and coming when called (knowing who is boss), and fitting in with the pack (learning respect for family members). By seven or eight weeks a puppy may be ready to expand its world from the breeder’s home to its own home. A breeder knows when each individual puppy is ready to leave the comfort of its litter. The breeder then matches each puppy with a home suited for each puppy’s temperament. It is imperative the new family continue with daily socialization and positive new experiences.

The most stable dog is the one who has had a multitude of good first experiences. This dog knows what is normal and what is not. This dog knows humans are good, can be trusted, and will provide food, warmth, and love. Shaping a puppy during the socialization period is all up to us. With our love and understanding a puppy will develop to its full potential. Nothing less should be acceptable. It is the best chance for a dog to have a long healthy life in one home and not end up losing its home because of behavioral problems – problems that could have easily been avoided with proper socialization as a puppy followed by additional socialization and training in the new home. When such problems develop, who is at fault? The dog?