What Can Puppy Socialization
Do for Your Puppy?

The best time to begin puppy socialization training is during his first twelve weeks. The longer you wait to start socialization training, the more difficult and lengthy the process will be.

Why is Puppy Socialization Training so Important?

If you isolate your puppy from the outside world, he will grow up afraid of his surroundings.

If that's not what you want, teach him that there are a lot of fun experiences and activities waiting for him. Allow him to explore. If you do this, your puppy will grow up to be a healthy, well adjusted, easy to handle dog and a good companion.

On the other hand, without puppy socialization training, chances are that he will have multiple behavioral problems when he grows up.

When you take an un-socialized dog outdoors, he may become aggressive towards strangers, become anxious or exhibit signs of shyness. He will bite out of fear and get into fights with other dogs. He also does not know how to behave in new situations.

An un-socialized dog is pain for everyone around him and may end up in a shelter.

Don't let your puppy become that dog!

Introduce him to puppy socialization early in his life to make the process easier on both of you.

Socializing Puppies to Humans

Throughout your puppy's life, he will come into contact with many strangers. It's to your advantage to accustom your puppy to different situations that involve strangers. For best results, start puppy socialization training while he is still young.

I used to invite friends over and encouraged my puppies to "explore" them.

You can also leave your puppy in the care of a friend or a neighbor for short periods of time. This will not only teach your puppy to tolerate other people, but it will also teach him that you did not abandon him.

If you want your puppy to tolerate children, teach your kids that he is not a toy. Tell them not to distract him when he is eating, not to tease him, and not to be mean to him. If your children follow these rules, your puppy will grow up loving not only your children, but also children in general.

Socializing Puppies to Other Pets

A puppy's most important development will occur before he is eight weeks old, while he is still with his mother and littermates.

If your puppy was separated from his mother before this important age, try to arrange for him to spend some time with sociable dogs. These interactions will teach him how to interact with other animals. If you have friends or neighbors who also have dogs, invite them over. This is a good opportunity for your puppy to meet other pets in the safety of his own home.

If you have another dog in the household, socialize your puppy to an older dog.

Keep your puppy on a leash when in the company of an older dog, until both are comfortable. Allow an older dog to come to the puppy to explore. Your puppy may respond to this with one or more of submissive behaviors such as exposing his tummy or urinating.

I also feel it's a good idea to provide your older dog with as much, if not more, attention as you are providing your new puppy. This will prevent resentment and jealousy from an older dog. And, unless there is someone to supervise them, never leave your new puppy with an older dog.

Puppy Socialization Tips

It's normal for your puppy to show some signs of apprehension in various situations. One way to help him get over his fears is to act as if nothing special is going on. Do not reward his fearful behavior by petting or picking him up. While you mean well, you unintentionally encourage the same fearfulness in the future.

As part of puppy socialization, teach your puppy of all the interesting things around him. Take him to parks, outdoor malls and city streets. Take him for a ride with you in a car.

You also have plenty of opportunities to develop your puppy's curiosity while at home. Let your puppy listen to a working dishwasher, TV, washer or a dryer. I used to leave the radio on when I had to leave my puppies alone.

When you introduce your pet to puppy socialization, make sure that it turns out to be a pleasant experience. Don't rush or force your puppy to anything he may not yet ready to handle.

Here is something I learned a long time ago - a puppy that went through some basic obedience and behavior training will go through socialization training much quicker and with a lot less stress.

Well, puppy socialization is not that scary and difficult, is it? In a lot of ways, socializing a young puppy is very similar to raising a young child, but the process is much quicker and a lot less expensive!

Put the above information to a test, and I guarantee you that if your puppy could talk, he would thank you for all the puppy socialization training you put him through!