There is much talk about socializing these days due to the current COVID situation. Many people acquired puppies or dogs during this time and we are now seeing a great number of under socialized dogs. Socializing is best done early; the most optimum time being birth to 16 weeks of age. After that it can be a bit more of a challenge if you have not had your pup out and about already**. That said it will be something that you continue throughout your dog’s life. And, a huge part of it lies on who your dog is and what your lifestyle is.
When I temperament test a litter of puppies is it truly amazing to see the difference in each one. Many people think that a puppy is a puppy is a puppy. Nope, they are all very, very individual. Temperaments in just one litter can cover the full range of temperament types. Some litters have similar temperaments with little difference but make no mistake, every one is very individual.
Socializing is best done in very small and EXTREMELY positive amounts. This is not about more is better; it should be done very carefully with great care taken to create a positive environment that will help your puppy or dog to grow.
Socializing is all about introducing puppies to the world around them. Anything that will be a part of their life in the future should be introduced to them early on. This includes, sights, sounds, smells, textures, people, dogs and experiences. Each and every puppy will deal with new things in their own way. How we respond to their reactions is extremely important.
NEVER, EVER force your puppy to do anything that they don’t want to do. If they are afraid of something and I can guarantee they will be afraid of something if not a lot of things. You must take it slow, make it positive and praise bravery. This means no coddling. We most definitely want to be there for our dogs; as the support team they need behind them as they learn… but no “it’s okay, it’s not scary,” talk. Instead we need to stand tall and have a “check this out,” attitude; saving the boosting praise for bravery.
This is not to say that not being brave is not okay. Being scared is normal and expected but we don’t want to promote it, because it can then grow. This is why it is so very important to do everything slow and in small amounts. One of my mottos in life is “quit while you are ahead,” and it applies here. A short positive socializing outing is far better than a long drawn out one where a puppy becomes tired or overwhelmed.
As far as meeting other people and other dogs, be careful. If your puppy is apprehensive about meeting new people, let them take the time they need. If they don’t want to interact, DON’T MAKE THEM. Walking happily by people is the first step. Same goes for dogs, but more care must be used as far as who they actually interact with. All it takes is one back interaction to change them forever. Best to use dogs that you know are super puppy friendly for dog interactions. And keep it short, puppies get cranky just like children.
Socializing should start with the breeder or rescue. If they didn’t do their job then you will have more work to do. Think of socializing as an introduction to our world. It is our job to introduce our dogs to the world that they will live in, in a positive way.
Try to remember that our dogs are watching us, learning from us and that is done by seeing how we are responding to things, even scary things. We need to lead by example.
**I understand that most Veterinarians will tell you not to take your puppy anywhere until a couple of weeks after their last set of shots. I recommend taking them out carefully, a couple of weeks after their 2nd set but to start the socializing process immediately. You can start in your own home by breaking your house into all the separate rooms that it is. Front yard, back yard, side yards can all be new experiences. As well as every new thing in your home.
Don’t wait, start today. Questions?