Puppy Socialization
The word "socialize" is one of the most
misunderstood words in the world of dog training.
This misunderstanding contributes to a significant
number of behavior problems in dogs, including fearfulness,
dog-dog aggression, and aggression toward people.
| Common Misunderstandings |
The Reality |
Don't take your
puppy anywhere before 4 months of age. |
Take your puppy
to as many different places as you can, just
making sure you are not setting the puppy down
where a lot of unknown dogs congregate. |
The best time to
socialize is between 4-6 months of age (after
vaccinations are complete). |
The best time
to socialize is between 3 and 16 weeks of age.
This is a huge window of opportunity not to
be missed! |
The best place
to socialize with other dogs is a dog park. |
Dog parks often
teach dogs bad behaviors and can be traumatic
to many dogs. They can actually learn the wrong things
there. and until a pup is fully vaccinate,
a dog park is a high-risk environment. |
Having puppies
play with another family dog is sufficient
socialization with other dogs. |
Puppies must be
exposed to many other kinds of dogs to be adequately
socialized. Only being comfortable with the
other family dog is not enough. It is especially
important to search out dogs who are of a different
type than your dog, e.g., size, shape, color. |
The best way to
have puppies learn to get along with other
dogs is to have them play with adolescent dogs
close to their age so they learn how to play
with other dogs. |
It is very important
to pick your pup's playmates for appropriate
playing styles and also to make sure there
is an older dog to œreferee” and
let the pup know when s/he is getting out of
hand. Playing only with other out-of-control
puppies teaches them to do just that, be out
of control. That does not go over well with
all other dogs. Pups need to learn to interpret
other dogs' œcut-off signals,” telling
them that they are playing too hard or not
to play at all. Most young dogs are not good
at this. That is why it is important to find
older, benevolent dogs who will teach them. |
As long as a puppy
appears fine with other dogs and people at
6 months or 12 months of age, they will be
fine lifelong. |
Just like people,
dogs go through several developmental stages
before becoming an adult. The final development
stage for dogs is actually between 18 and 36
months of age. What you get at 6 or 12 months
is only a snapshot in time; much change can
occur in behavior over the next year or two! |
If a dog seems
fearful of people or other dogs, all you have
to do is keep taking them around people and
dogs, and they will eventually outgrow their
fear. |
Dogs rarely grow
out of fears; they actually get worse with
age. If the socialization window of opportunity
has been passed, an active behavior modification
program will be needed to help a dog overcome
his/her fears. |
The Truth about Socialization
The term socialization has a very specific meaning
to those who study canine behavior and developmental
stages. œSocialization period” is a specific,
critical developmental period that occurs between three
and sixteen weeks of age. This is the period of time
when puppies are most susceptible to absorbing information
about their world. Unfortunately, this is the same
period of time where they are most susceptible to infectious
diseases. In fact, some veterinarians caution their
clients not to take their puppies anywhere until after
all their vaccinations are complete. Other veterinarians
understand the significant behavioral risk this poses,
and recommend outings that are safe and relatively
risk-free.
For information about veterinary-recommended early
socialization, read Dr. R.K. Anderson's letter ,"Puppy
Vaccination and Socialization Should Go Together”.
For more detailed information about critical developmental
periods, read The Dog's Mind by Bruce Fogle or Another
Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development, edited by Pat
Hastings and Erin Ann Rouse. Both are available from dogwise.com.
How to Socialize
Start as soon as your pup comes home. Invite friends
and family over, one or two at a time and have them
gently hold the pup and give him/her a couple of really
tasty treats. Be careful to supervise young children
who may scare a very young puppy.
Use DogPACT's
Socialization Chart to search out a wide variety
of sights, sounds, people, and animals to introduce
to your pup. Make sure that each experience is a
good one by taking some really yummy treats along
on your outings.
Think about family and friends who might have a pup
and invite them over for a puppy play party. Find a
few older dogs who like young puppies, but won't let
the puppy take too many liberties before reprimanding
them without hurting them.
Start socializing young and keep it up! |
