Puppy Socialisation
Puppy
Socialisation
Socialisation and puppy training are of utmost importance as
puppy-hood is the most important and critical time in your dog's
development. What you do and do not do right now will affect your
dog's behaviour forever.
A
properly socialised dog is well adjusted and makes a good companion.
It is neither frightened by nor aggressive towards anyone or anything
it would normally meet in day to day living. An un-socialised dog
is untrustworthy and an unwanted liability. They often become fear-biters.
Often they like to fight with other dogs. They are difficult to
train and are generally unpleasant to be around. Un-socialised dogs
cannot adapt to new situations and a simple routine visit to the
vet is a nightmare not only for the dog itself, but for everyone
involved. Don't let this happen to you and your dog. Start socialising
your new puppy NOW! Vets agree that the socialisation period lasts up to about
12 weeks (3 months) of age. However, at 12 weeks, the puppy must
continue socialisation to refine its social skills. Socialisation
most easily occurs before the puppy is 3 months old. Any later than
that and it becomes an excruciatingly difficult and time-consuming
process that very few owners have the time, energy, money or patience
to cope with.
Socialisation
Do's
Make sure that each of the following events are pleasant and non-threatening.
If your puppy's first experience with something is painful and frightening,
you will be defeating your purpose. In fact, you will be creating
a phobia that will often last a lifetime. It's better to go too slow
and assure your puppy is not frightened or injured than to rush and
force your pup to meet new things and people.
>>Invite
friends over to meet your pup. Include men, women, youngsters, oldsters,
different ethnic backgrounds, etc.
->>Invite
friendly, healthy, vaccinated dogs, puppies and even cats to your
home to meet and play with your new puppy. Take your puppy to the
homes of these pets, preferably with dog-friendly cats.
->>Carry
your pup to shopping centres, parks, school playgrounds, etc; places
where there are crowds of people and plenty of activity.
->>Take
your puppy for short, frequent rides in the car. Stop the car and
let your puppy watch the world go by through the window. Don't let
your puppy stick his head out of the window while you are driving.
If one stone were to hit his eye this could cause serious damage!
->>Introduce
your puppy to umbrellas, bags, boxes, the vacuum cleaner, etc. Encourage
your puppy to explore and investigate his environment.
->>Get
your puppy accustomed to seeing different and unfamiliar objects
by creating your own. Set a chair upside down. Lay the trash can
(empty) on its side, set up the ironing board right-side up one
day and upside down the next day.
->>Introduce
your puppy to new and various sounds. Loud, obnoxious sounds should
be introduced from a distance and gradually brought closer.
->>Accustom
your puppy to being brushed, bathed, inspected, having its nails
clipped, teeth and ears cleaned and all the routines of grooming
and physical examination.
->>Introduce
your puppy to stairs, his own collar and leash. Introduce anything
and everything you want your puppy to be comfortable with and around.
Socialisation
Don'ts
->>Do
not put your puppy on the ground where unknown animals have access.
This is where your puppy can pick up diseases. Wait until your puppy's
shots are completed. Do not let your pup socialize with dogs that
appear sick or dogs that you don't
know, that may not be vaccinated.
->>Do
not reward fearful behaviour. In a well meaning attempt to sooth,
encourage or calm the puppy when it appears frightened, we often
unintentionally reward the behaviour. It's normal for the puppy
to show some signs of apprehension when confronting anything new
and different.
->>Do
not allow the experience to be harmful, painful or excessively frightening.
This can cause lifetime phobias in your dog.
->>Do
not force or rush your puppy. Let your puppy take things at his
own pace. Your job is to provide the opportunity.
->>Do
not do too much at one time. Young puppies need a lot of sleep and
tire quickly. It is much more productive to have frequent and very
brief exposures than occasional prolonged exposures.
>>DO
NOT WAIT!! Every day that goes by is an opportunity of a lifetime
that is lost forever. You can never get these days back. If puppy
socialization does not happen now, it never will.
Unsure of When to Vaccinations Your Puppy Needs? Confused about How To Worm Your Puppy? Don't Worry Simply Visit Our Health Care Pages and We Will Advise You What To Do.
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