BEHAVIOUR
Puppy Socialization: How to Raise A Happy & Confident Dog!
Puppy socialization done the right way helps us raise happy and well-behaved dogs. Learn the right ways to go about socializing your puppy from top canine experts.
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Socialize, socialize, socialize!
The best advice we give puppy parents is to socialize their puppies and socialize them the right way. A well-socialized puppy grows up to be a friendly, calm, and confident adult dog. Good puppy socialization comes much before basic obedience training as well! Read on to learn about the best ways to socialize your puppy.
The best advice we give puppy parents is to socialize their puppies and socialize them the right way. A well-socialized puppy grows up to be a friendly, calm, and confident adult dog. Good puppy socialization comes much before basic obedience training as well! Read on to learn about the best ways to socialize your puppy.
What is Puppy Socialization?
Our dogs go through several critical developmental periods as puppies where they make long, lasting impressions of the world around them. During this time, they are more curious than ever and extremely open to new experiences. Their brains are like a sponge-they will be eager to smell, see, hear and experience the world and will learn at a superfast rate!
The puppy socialization period occurs between 3 weeks to 16 weeks of age and is the single most important phase in your dog’s life.
The puppy socialization period occurs between 3 weeks to 16 weeks of age and is the single most important phase in your dog’s life.
Socialization does not mean simply exposure, always ensure that your puppy is feeling comfortable in new environments.
Why is the Socialization Period so Crucial?
The socialization period is crucial for us as pet parents for two key reasons:
- Life-long learnings: The learnings from this period- whether positive or negative, will last a lifetime. The more positive and varied experiences your puppy has at this stage, the calmer, confident, and friendly they will be as an adult!
- Personality development: Your puppy’s life experiences will greatly determine the kind of dog your puppy grows up to be. This means that, as pet parents, by socializing your puppy properly you will have a lot of control over influencing their temperament and personality. For instance, if your puppy meets and plays with 30-40 new people during this time, it is quite likely that will continue to be social butterflies for the rest of their lives. On the same note, a study all the way back in 1961 showed that puppies under 14 weeks of age who did not meet people were never able to develop normal bonds with humans later on.
Socialization helps prepare puppies adjust to their new, human world more courageously.
What is the Right Way to Socialize a Puppy?
When it comes to socializing your puppy, it's not merely about exposing them to a variety of stimuli; it's about ensuring that every interaction is comfortable and positive for them. As a pet parent, your job is to engage your puppy’s five senses-smell, sound, sight, taste, and touch every day. You can accomplish this by spending an hour daily socializing your puppy until they're four months old.
A point to note is that our puppy’s socialization period clashes with their vaccination periods when they are discouraged from stepping outdoors or interacting with other dogs, to protect them from several, severe diseases and infections. However, this should merely limit your socialization plans indoors. Here are some of the best ways to socialize your puppy, even before they are allowed on walks:
Socializing A Puppy Indoors
Socializing A Puppy Outside Your Home
Once you have the green light for walks, you can add the following types of puppy socialization opportunities to your daily routine:
You can further customize your puppy’s socialization plan based on the lifestyle you envision for them in the coming years. For instance, if you have an active social life and enjoy having people over, you can focus on ensuring that not only is your puppy comfortable but actually enjoys human presence. If you are an avid traveller, ensure that the only association they have with car-rides are not vet visits that end with a prick on their bum!
You will notice that puppy socialization is all about including your dog in your life. It is not something you do separately with your dog but about gently guiding them through your human world. One hour a day, every day for the first couple of months is all you need. With a good puppy socialization plan, you will be reaping the reward for the rest of your life together.
A point to note is that our puppy’s socialization period clashes with their vaccination periods when they are discouraged from stepping outdoors or interacting with other dogs, to protect them from several, severe diseases and infections. However, this should merely limit your socialization plans indoors. Here are some of the best ways to socialize your puppy, even before they are allowed on walks:
Socializing A Puppy Indoors
- Invite people of varying appearances, genders, ages, and attires and ask them to gently pet and play with your puppy.
- Gently pet or massage them all over their body, especially their paws, ears, mouth, and underbelly, using your hands as well as a soft brush.
- Introduce your puppy to household appliances such as pressure cookers, vacuum cleaners, TVs, mixers, etc. to familiarize them with their sounds.
- Put a ribbon or collar on your puppy for a few minutes every day so that they grow up to be comfortable wearing a collar.
- Introduce small quantities of different foods occasionally (vet-approved, of course!).
- Take your puppy to your balcony or window every day so that they can see, hear, and smell the world and not feel overwhelmed the first time they step out.
- Pick your puppy up in your arms and ride the elevator for a few minutes so that your puppy gets to meet a range of people and see other dogs.
Socializing A Puppy Outside Your Home
- Take your puppy out for a drive- whether it’s on a scooter, auto or car, multiple times a week. You can park your vehicle at the corner of a busy street and let your puppy watch the world go by from the comforts of your car.
- Carry your puppy in your arms and go on a walk during the busiest time of the day or when you are running errands. Your puppy will hear, see, and smell the loudest children, and the loudest traffic horns and be comfortable with such stimulus as an adult dog!
- Take your puppy to your office, a friend’s home or a café – any clean indoor space without other dogs. This way, they engage all five senses and get comfortable with new spaces and new people handling them.
Once you have the green light for walks, you can add the following types of puppy socialization opportunities to your daily routine:
- Daily walks: Walk them on different textures – footpaths, grass, concrete, puddles of water. You can further commit to walking them in new spaces twice a week!
- Socializing with other dogs: Once their vaccinations are done, you can introduce them to calm and confident older dogs by going on walks together.
You can further customize your puppy’s socialization plan based on the lifestyle you envision for them in the coming years. For instance, if you have an active social life and enjoy having people over, you can focus on ensuring that not only is your puppy comfortable but actually enjoys human presence. If you are an avid traveller, ensure that the only association they have with car-rides are not vet visits that end with a prick on their bum!
You will notice that puppy socialization is all about including your dog in your life. It is not something you do separately with your dog but about gently guiding them through your human world. One hour a day, every day for the first couple of months is all you need. With a good puppy socialization plan, you will be reaping the reward for the rest of your life together.
Vaccinations not up to date? No problem! Your puppy can experience the world from the comfort of your arms!
My Puppy Is Scared of Everything! What Do I Do?
Some puppies, despite being younger than 16 weeks, are extremely scared of things. It’s just bad luck – perhaps this type of fear is genetic, or they have had some traumatic incidents, and they find it hard to recover. Not to worry – the beauty of the puppy socialization period is that even your scared little puppy can unlearn and learn super quickly. In such cases, merely exposing your dog to different environments will not help – it might do more harm than good. They will need a helping hand and a lot of positive reinforcement to cope with new experiences. It is best to speak to a qualified behaviourist to prepare a good socialization plan that is carefully customized for you and your dog.
When it comes to dog-to-dog socialization, both the dogs should be having a good time!
What Happens after 16 Weeks? Does My Puppy Stop Learning?
Absolutely not! Your dog is constantly learning, and they will continue to learn throughout their life! The only difference if you get an older puppy or adult dog at home is that they will take longer to get comfortable with certain things. Remain patient, and allow your dog to take their time exploring at their pace. Please seek the advice of a qualified behaviourist to guide you through training!
Sources:
Happy Pet Parenting!
- McEvoy, V., Espinosa, U. B., Crump, A., & Arnott, G. (2022). Canine socialisation: a narrative systematic review. Animals, 12(21), 2895.
- Freedman DG, King JA, Elliott O. Critical period in the social development of dogs. Science. 1961;133:1016–1017.
Happy Pet Parenting!
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