I attended a 3-day workshop last weekend with about 30 other trainers. Two of them brought their new 9-week-old puppies with them. Those pups got tons of attention from all sorts of humans. They also got the chance to be still and quiet in a room full of people talking, laughing and running demos with other adult dogs. Basically, they learned that that kind of noise and activity was no big deal. It was a golden opportunity for socialization, and their very wise “moms” took advantage of it. The puppies had fun and socked away 3 days of exposures to people, healthy adult dogs and lots of different environmental elements and surfaces – dirt, grass, concrete, carpet, linoleum and tile. What lucky pups! They’re getting off to a really good start.
If you don’t train your dog to perform a crisp, sharp Heel or to leap through a flaming hoop, no big deal. But ... of all the things we do for our dogs, the one BIG thing is socializing them – demystifying the world around them. We want them to live at ease in our human world. It’s the rare dog indeed who can do it without our help. Good, solid socialization is an important foundation for all good behavior that follows.
As soon as possible after your pup comes home, begin exposing him to as many types of people, other dogs and other animals as you can. The sooner, the better. Puppies’ critical socialization period is roughly the first four months of life. It is during those important weeks and months that their view of the world is shaped. Consult with your vet, of course, but start taking your puppy with you wherever you go, whenever you can. He’ll learn that going is a good thing and going in a car isn’t scary at all.
Here are a few other ideas:
- Go shopping! Some retail outlets – pet supply stores or home-improvement warehouses, for instance – allow well-behaved dogs in their stores. (Tip: don’t put him on the floor just yet; he needs all his vaccinations for that)
- Go out to eat! Some restaurants with patio seating will allow well-behaved dogs to sit with their people.
- Get together with family and friends! Invite willing friends and acquaintances to your home and allow your pup to play with them.
- Have puppy play time! Arrange play dates with the dogs of trusted neighbors and friends – making sure that they (the dogs, not your neighbors) are the appropriate size and play style.
- Clean the house! Let your puppy hear the dishwasher or the vacuum while he’s hanging out in his crate, working on a yummy, stuffed Kong.
- Go to school! Take your little tyke to a puppy class with a good positive trainer. Puppy kindergarten is all about puppies learning proper play, meeting new people and learning a few good manners along the way. It may be the most important class you and your dog ever take.
In short, expose your pup to as many different people, places, sights and sounds as you possibly can. The list could go on and on. Be creative. And here’s the big secret to successful socialization:
Make every effort to ensure that each new experience is fun and pleasant for your dog. During the first 100 days of his life with you, make it your job to give him at least one new, different and pleasant encounter each day. It’s like money in the bank. If you teach him that the world is full of different and interesting people, animals and places, he won’t fear them. In fact, he’ll be so “vaccinated” against the world that when a strange, new experience does come along, it won’t throw him for a loop.
This simple gift – the gift of self-assurance – will help him become a happy, well-adjusted adult dog for the rest of his life.
Posted by Jenny Schneider, CPDT-KA, PMCT, ANWI Camp Canine USA, LLC
