Toddlers and babies can be scary to dogs. Introduce them early to all kinds and ages of people. These are pups from one of Jill Doherty’s German Shepherd Dog litters.
Do you have a puppy four months old or younger? Get busy socializing him now. Even though socialization continues throughout the life of a dog, the critical period of a puppy’s social development is from five to 16 weeks of age. This time of life is like social preschool and early puppyhood education for puppies. If a puppy is exposed and introduced correctly to a variety of environments, sounds, objects, smells, people, and other animals at an early age, then the puppy has a better chance of becoming a happy, confident, behaviorally healthy, adult dog.
While genetics play a big role in a dog’s adult temperament or personality, proper socialization can make a difference in a puppy’s ability to “bounce back” easily from new experiences that might otherwise cause a puppy to act fearful or defensive.
In its position paper on puppy socialization, The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior ( AVSAB) states it “ believes that it ( early socialization) should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.” It states, “Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression.”
Amber Dawn is safely socializing foster puppy Duck by carrying him in new environments.
When we talk about socializing a puppy or dog, there are two important points to remember. The first is until a puppy has finished its vaccinations, he is vulnerable to disease. The socialization must be done safely.
Safe socialization means protecting the puppy from contact with areas that may have been contaminated with parvovirus, a deadly virus that can be spread from direct dog to dog contact or contact with contaminated feces. Parvovirus from contaminated feces can live outside for several months or even up to a year. Puppies must be protected from other diseases such as distemper, bordatella (kennel cough), or any other contagious disease.
With careful planning, safe socialization for your puppy is possible. If your puppy is small enough, you can take him places in a stroller so his feet don’t touch possibly contaminated ground. Another option is to put him in a shopping cart on a pad or bed at a store that allows dogs such as Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, or Home Depot. If you are unsure whether dogs are allowed in a store, call first and ask.
German Shepherd Dog breeder Jill Doherty begins socializing her puppies at an early age. Here one of her litters plays in a ball pit to experience new objects and sensations.
Safe socialization can happen from your car, too. A dog does not have to be close to people or other dogs to be socialized. He can safely observe the goings on from your car window or open door— with you holding his leash, of course. Take your puppy in the car with you when you run errands and let him observe the new environments and shoppers.
If you take him to an outdoor location, you can spread out a blanket or tarp so his feet don’t come into contact with the ground.
One of the safest ways to socialize a puppy is to take him to the home of friends whose dogs are healthy and fully vaccinated.
Kimberly Seymour socialized her Australian Shepherd puppy, Seymour, safely in a shopping cart. As an adult, Seymour earned his Canine Good Citizen recognition, in part to Kimberly’s good socialization efforts.
If your veterinarian has asked you not to take your puppy anywhere until he is fully vaccinated, discuss these alternatives with him or her.
The second, also very important, point to remember is in addition to being safe, socialization should be appropriate and a good experience for your puppy. Socialization is a buzz word in puppy raising, but if not done properly, socialization efforts can backfire and make your puppy fearful. A good definition of socialization is the process of positively introducing your puppy to places, people, animals, sounds, objects, and obstacles. The key word in that definition is positively.
A puppy should never be forced to interact with something or someone. Learn to recognize your puppy’s signs of stress and move him away from any situation, person, environment, or object that makes him anxious or fearful. Obvious signs of stress or fear are moving away and not returning, tail tucked, ears flattened, growling, or barking. Less obvious signs of stress are yawning, lip licking, going still, and shallow and rapid panting.
Cindy Fowler allows her puppy, Shadow, to observe activity from a distance which allows her to learn about new things at a distance where she feels safe.
New experiences for your puppy should be paired with positive associations, treats, or play. If your puppy seems nervous, allow him to move away and provide a safe space for him to retreat. People love to pet puppies, but you should allow your puppy to decide if he wants to be petted. Don’t allow groups of people to approach him at once, that can be overwhelming. Have a new person give him a treat before petting him, if he seems comfortable with the petting.
If your puppy hears a new, startling noise, immediately give him a treat. This will pair the scary new noise with good stuff and will create a positive association. If he is brave and explores a new object, reward him with a treat for his bravery. If you are in a new environment, play with him with his favorite toy in this new environment or scatter treats on the ground.
After you have attempted to create positive associations with new experiences and your puppy still exhibits signs of nervousness or fear, contact a reward-based trainer for assistance immediately before your puppy gets any older.
Introduce your puppy to puppy-friendly dogs in a home environment in which all the dogs have been vaccinated. This is Paige Brock’s Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy meeting an adult Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Ryan Dawkins’ Great Pyrenees puppy, Louie, is relaxed as he explores a new object, a tunnel.
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