Socializing Your Puppy: A Golden Opportunity for Lifelong Success
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
✨
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY ✨
Socializing your puppy between 3-16 weeks is a GOLDEN opportunity.
Significant brain development occurs during the first four months of a puppy’s life, which can greatly shape its behavior and temperament.
This is why prioritizing socialization is so crucial.
It will set your dog up for long-term success and build confidence in various situations.
This blog will give you an inside scoop on our socialization process with Emma, a golden retriever puppy.
How Did We Socialize Our Puppy?
We exposed Emma to items in each of these six categories during the first weeks and months she was home.
Before we get to the specifics, it helps to understand the concept of socialization.
What is Socialization?
Socialization is an introduction to various experiences, noises, and other people they may experience throughout life.
Socialization helps your dog to feel comfortable being handled, calm around other people, and well-mannered in various environments.
It also includes teaching your puppy to be appropriate with other dogs; therefore, it is an excellent time to let them play with a well-matched playmate.
Tips for Success
You do not want to throw your puppy into a new situation and think, “let’s see how this goes; good luck!”
🔹 Have a plan.
🔹 Give treats to help ensure the new experiences are successful and positive.
🔹 Do not overwhelm them too quickly. Instead, try one new activity at a time.
🔹 Ask: what is my dog’s response? Do you see…
Arousal?
Avoidance?
Calmness?
Relaxation?
Frozen in place?
Signs of distress such as excessive panting, yawning, or tail between the legs?
The Goal of Socialization
You want your puppy to have positive experiences. You are targeting behavior that is calm and relaxed.
Where to Socialize Your Puppy?
There are plenty of opportunities to socialize your puppy safely at home and in the community.
Emma received her last round of boosters at 16 weeks, which is the end of the critical socialization period. Do not wait until your puppy receives all their vaccinations to start socialization.
I would recommend avoiding the dog park and choosing places like a backyard, training classes, or public spaces while being held.
UH-OH! I Missed Socializing My Puppy. What Do I Do?
No worries!!
Start now.
You can and should still do socialization training. You may need additional time, and it may be more difficult, but all the same ideas and techniques apply. I would recommend consulting a professional trainer online or in your local area if there is a specific behavior you are concerned about or need help with along the way.
I believe the payoff will be well worth it regardless of when you start!
Emma’s Socialization
We focused on socializing Emma to NEW people, animals, objects, environments, sounds, and ways of handling.
Plan ahead and invite friends/family over or go to places where your puppy will interact with a variety of people.
It can be tempting to yell “SQUIRREL!” in order to catch your puppy’s adorable first reaction to this new animal. However, resist the urge and play it cool. Pass the squirrel quietly, offer treats to your puppy and keep on walking so your puppy learns to stay calm.
A lot of socializing can happen at home with new objects. Continue to positively reinforce your puppy with treats during these new interactions.
Look around on your walks! You’ll likely find various surfaces for your puppy to walk on.
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Try these steps with new sounds:
Step 1: Play a sound at a low volume.
Step 2: Give your dog a treat as you play the sound.
Step 3: Slowly repeat steps 1-2 until you can reach full volume. If your dog gets nervous/scared at any point, lower the volume and try again.
This is a great way to set your puppy up to have positive experiences at the vet!
Summary
➡️ Start socialization early. To avoid regression, continue socialization throughout all of the life stages.
➡️ Place at least one safe outing on your calendar each week.
➡️ Ensure you have plenty of treats on hand.
➡️ Practice makes perfect. The more successful interactions your dog has over time, the easier it will get.
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