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How to SOCIALISE A PUPPY
Socialisation refers to the process of introducing your puppy to new sights, sounds and experiences. It's all about helping them to get used to the world, and teaching them to be confident in new situations.
How socialisation CAN HELP?
Effective socialisation is vital for you and your puppy’s life together, as it can have a huge impact on a puppy's long term physical and mental wellbeing. While it only takes a few weeks to socialize your puppy, the lessons they learn in the first months of their life can guide them for a lifetime.
What should you INTRODUCE TO YOUR PUPPY?
The suggestions below are the type of settings, situation and experiences that will help socialise your puppy
NOISES
The world is full of strange sounds which can be intimidating to your puppy at first. The sound of trains, hairdryers, washing machines, mobile phones, kettles, TVs, music, car alarms and fireworks are all worth exploring and introducing to your puppy at a young age.
PLACES
Puppies are often keen to explore new places, so taking them to people’s houses, schools, parks, lifts and stairs, buses and trains, markets and traffic junctions are all interesting environments for your puppy to carefully discover as they grow.
PEOPLE
Meeting a variety of people is good for your puppy’s development and socialisation. Consider putting them in new, social situations that bring them into contact with new people in a positive, calm way. These can include vets, people in uniform, cyclists, and others they may not see often.
SURFACES
Different surfaces inside and outside of the house can seem daunting to puppies at first. The city, the countryside and the beach are all good places to start. It’s also useful to expose your puppy to different heights, gradients and textures, such as sand, wood and tiled surfaces, so they're not daunted by these changes once they've developed into an adult.
WEATHER
Things that we take for granted, like the rain, wind, or snow can all be unusual experiences for a puppy. Try taking them for walks in different weather conditions to help them get used to changes in weather, climate and temperature. Some breeds may require protective clothing to keep them warm and dry.
Wherever you go with your puppy, it’s important to stay calm and make them feel that these new experiences are normal.
Your puppy'sSOCIALISATION TIMELINE
In their first months your puppy is very receptive to new experiences and learning. This timeline gives an idea of the most important stages of socialization, and the tasks that should be undertaken during those stages.
- BIRTH TO TWO MONTHS
- TWO TO THREE MONTHS
- THREE TO FOUR MONTHS
BIRTH TO TWO MONTHS
These first two months with their mother and litter mates, are vital for the effective socialisation of the puppy. The behaviours learnt, experiences faced and interactions they have with humans, as well as their mother’s health and temperament, all have a huge part to play in their behavioural development. As a prospective owner, you should take the time to visit potential breeders and check on:
CHECKLIST
TWO TO THREE MONTHS
From the moment your puppy arrives in their new home, gradually start the socialisation process, create learning experiences and reward good behaviour. Even though your puppy is yet to be fully vaccinated, that shouldn’t stop you taking them outside, letting them meet people or play in your the garden. Just ensure that your puppy only meets dogs who have been fully vaccinated.
CHECKLIST
THREE TO FOUR MONTHS
Once all vaccinations are complete, you and your puppy can confidently start to explore further afield. This is a key period of learning for the puppy, so the more time you spend together and the more effort you put into socialisation the better. All that hard work will pay off!
CHECKLIST
When should I start to socialise my puppy?
Your puppy’s brain is continually developing and that makes them an incredibly fast learner. During this ‘socialisation window’ your puppy is far more accepting of new situations and encounters. So opening them up to new experiences during this period can have a huge and positive impact on their future wellbeing.
Should I wait until after my puppy's 12-week shot?
It’s a commonly held misconception that puppies should be kept inside until they have had their 12-week booster shot. While puppies are more susceptible to a range of diseases at this time that doesn’t means they can’t go out at all. If you’re careful, and only take your puppy to places where the risk of infection is low, you can begin to take your puppy outside after eight weeks.
What if my puppy gets scared by something new?
Fear can be manifested in a number of behaviours such as whimpering, going stiff, putting its tail between its legs and also snapping or barking. If you think your puppy has been scared by a person, situation, noise or anything else, walk calmly away from that trigger until your puppy is calmer and will take food again. If you feel your puppy is comfortable, reintroduce them to the trigger gradually and reward positive behaviours. If your puppy is still scared, remove them from the situation. Speak to a professional trainer or a vet if you are ever uncertain about your puppy's responses.
ObservationBEFORE PARTICIPATION
You should always allow your puppy to calmly observe any new environment or experience, before they get involved too deeply. Forcing your puppy to confront new situations, people or places without giving them a little time to acclimatize and make sense of it can lead to negative memories and behavior's . Here are three simple tips to aid that process
1/3 Observe from a distance
When entering a new place - like a busy square, a park full of children or dogs or a crowded train station, allow your puppy to stand on the periphery and observe. Offer them encouragement in the form of praise or treats.
2/3 Create a safe space
When observing from a distance is not possible, such as when at a friends home or a training class, ensure you create a safe space for them near you.
3/3 Encourage calm reactions
Teach your puppy to react calmly when encountering new experiences or seeing something scary or exciting, and reward them for their good behaviour.
Traning my puppy
Training is an important part in socialise your puppy. The better trained your puppy the healthier and happier it will be
