Most pet parents think of "socializiation" as simply introducing your puppy to as many other dogs as possible. But, that's only part of puppy socialization.
Truly, the most important thing is to expose your puppy to as many different experiences as possible. This includes:
People of different ages, races, and genders
People with and without disabilities
Different species of animals
New places, sounds, smells, and sensations
Practically anything else you can imagine
That might sound overwhelming for your young dog to handle. But truthfully, your puppy's brain is most capable of processing and accepting new experiences during the first three months of life. And this is when you should expose your puppy to as many different experiences as possible.
Puppies who don't get varying experiences early tend to be more anxious as they grow older. After that first three-month period of their life, their brain gets much more inflexible toward new experiences.
Try Your Best to Keep All Experiences Positive
This can actually be a little more challenging than you think. While you might be able to control your own behavior, you can't control every experience your puppy has.
For example, if your puppy has a negative experience with an aggressive dog, they may develop a phobia of other dogs that could be exceedingly difficult to overcome.
So, you'll want to set them up for success by having them only interact with dogs who will give them positive experiences.
Fortunately, because puppies are so much more on the happy-go-lucky and curious side, they can overcome some negative experiences. So if your puppy has a negative experience here and there, don't panic.
If your puppy has a negative experience, end it as quickly as possible. Remove your puppy from the situation if need be.
Involve Your Entire Family
A great way to make sure your puppy gets new experiences lies in making sure everyone in your family gets involved.
This trains your puppy to get ready to experience new things, no matter who they are with.
Your kids can suggest new places to go where your puppy might encounter other dogs or wildlife. You can walk the puppy different places.
There's no shortage of ideas or things you can do!
Take Small Steps
It can be a difficult balance between giving your puppy new experiences and overwhelming them.
No matter what you do with your puppy, do it gradually. For example, let's say you want your puppy to get used to being handled by strangers.
First, get them used to being handled by everyone in your family. Then, introduce one stranger for a few interactions. Then, introduce the second. And so on...
If you do the same thing and take your puppy to a very busy place loaded with many different people, you may encourage a fearful response in your puppy's behavior.
First Outings Should Be Quick
Think like 10-15 minutes max. Many pet parents overexpose their new puppy to stimuli.
How do you know if your puppy has had enough? Watch their body for signs of stress.
These include droopy ears, a sagging posture, frequent stopping or scratching, yawning, panting, and shaking.
Try to stay close to your home with outings so you can bring your puppy back home if they've had enough. You can also just hang out on your front porch or lawn, and that can be enough exposure for your puppy.
Never Force It
Pushing your puppy into something they're not ready for will only frighten and overwhelm them. And this would be exactly the opposite of the effect you intended.
This could also cause problems in the future, just like you learned earlier.
Use praise or treats to encourage your puppy to do the new thing, whatever it is. But let them do what they need at their own pace.
What if your puppy becomes scared in a particular situation?
First, remove them from that situation immediately. However, while the battle hasn't gone your way, remember that you haven't lost the war!
Next, practice systematic desensitization. So, let's say your puppy is just terrified of your vacuum when you turn it on. Instead of turning it on, just bring it out while turned off. Let your puppy investigate the vacuum at their own pace. Maybe sprinkle some treats around the vacuum.
Then, turn it on, but only briefly. Then quickly turn it off again. Keep repeating this process until your puppy understands that while your vacuum might be loud, it's not going to harm them.
Follow this process with all frightening experiences so you help your puppy learn the world is a safe place.
Schedule Playdates (Versus Going to the Dog Park)
A young puppy isn't ready for the dog park, which can even be unsafe for adult dogs!
The best thing you can do is to introduce your puppy to other puppies. Other puppies are a similar size to yours, which makes them ideal playmates. Just make sure that all other puppies yours interacts with have the appropriate vaccinations.
What if you don't have another puppy in your area at a similar age?
Then, consider a doggy daycare. They usually separate their dogs to keep the play safe and appropriate.
Have a Good Variety of Dog-Friendly Activities
As your puppy ages and gets the appropriate vaccinations, expose them to more and different dog-friendly activities.
Take your dog for car rides. Meet a variety of people. This includes people with hats, sunglasses, or in wheelchairs, for example. Remember that any little difference to you is a big one to your dog.
Take your dog to a pet-friendly store. Walk down busy streets. Whatever you can think of that's not inside their normal realm of experience, do it.
To sum it up, exposing your puppy to the world in a safe, controlled way sets them up for a happy and curious adult life.
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