How To Socialize A Puppy So He Behaves Well
Socializing a puppy is the key to having a happy, safe, and well-adapted dog. When a puppy is positively exposed to new people, places, and situations during the socialization period, he is very likely to stay calm and accept those situations when he re-experiences them later.
The best learning time in a dog’s life starts at 7-8 weeks of age and lasts up to 16 weeks.
However, by three weeks of age puppies can begin to approach a person who is passively watching them. This first period can last up to 4-5 months of age.
During this period, puppies can be exposed to a wide variety of sights, sounds, smells and sensations without being startled.
It’s possible that puppies who don’t have these experiences will never learn to be comfortable with unfamiliar things, which paves the way for anxiety, fear, and aggression later in life. However, you can still socialize a dog when this period has passed.
What is socialization and why is it so important?
Socialization means learning to be part of society. When we talk about socializing puppies, it means we have to help them learn to feel comfortable within human society; a society that includes many different types of people, environments, buildings, sights, noises, smells, animals and other dogs.
The puppy must know and interact with as many people, animals and environments as possible. With socialization, we help the puppy get used to all kinds of sights, sounds and smells in a positive way.
Proper socialization can prevent, for example, a dog from always being afraid of children or being frightened when riding in a car.
The puppy must experience many sights and sounds and learn that there is nothing to fear. By the time he is about four months old, he should be able to accept being petted by strangers, meeting other dogs, being cared for by a veterinarian, or being groomed at the pet store.
Socializing your dog helps him become a happy member of the family. Appropriately socialized puppies are less likely to develop behavioral problems when they become adults.
Dogs that don’t socialize early can react with fear or aggression when exposed to new things. It is much easier to teach your puppy to accept new things at the beginning than to train him after the bad habits have developed.
How to socialize your puppy
Socialization should involve as many people and situations as possible. To do this, introduce your puppy to as many people as you can, including men, women, children of all ages, people who wear all kinds of clothes, look different, etc.
Let your puppy see objects of different sizes, let him see them moving and also how they fall. It is also important that you expose your puppy to different noises, including loud sounds – such as those from cars and trucks – and noise produced by people, including crowds.
But do all this little by little, without going to extremes. Be patient and reward your puppy with gifts for remaining calm.
Another issue you need to resolve with your dog’s socialization is that he should let himself be touched. This is an important aspect. Your dog must learn that nothing bad happens when he is petted or picked up: he must learn to let himself be explored and manipulated.
This is essential both for its hygiene and cleanliness and for its handling and treatment by the veterinarian. If you get your puppy used to being handled with care, he is less likely to have problems with this when he reaches adulthood.
It is also important to take your dog to different places, go through different environments and take him for a walk. Allow your puppy to approach new things at his own pace.
You can use rewards and praise to encourage your puppy to approach unfamiliar people and objects, but remember that you should never force your puppy to do something that is beyond his comfort level, much less if it frightens him.
Don’t forget that socializing your puppy should always be positive.
