Your dream puppy is at home with you. Your best friend takes a leisurely walk, plays ball at the park, and cuddles on the couch. But, reality check: There’s another side to this dreamy time together – your sweet little ball of fur is more like the faceless Tasmanian devil cartoon character. Puppies have a lot of energy! They need activity and guidance to navigate their new world.
Socialization has always been an integral part of dog rearing and training, but in times of pandemic, opportunities for socialization outside of the family are limited, which doesn’t bode well for an increase. adopted puppies and puppies during that time.
As this group of “pandemic puppies” grows, both veterinarians and dog trainers have noticed an increase in the number of dogs experiencing anxiety and exhibiting a range of behavioral problems. other vi. The effects of limited socialization have highlighted the benefits of proper socialization beyond just a fun game.
When should socialization begin?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends socialization between 3 and 14 weeks of age. This means that the process of socialization and training should begin as soon as the puppy comes home. Setting boundaries and encouraging good behaviors reduces stress for dogs and families. Providing positive experiences and a relaxed environment helps establish the foundation for lifelong learning.
“Puppies have an important opportunity for socialization starting at around 1 month of age,” says Dr. Laura Weis, co-owner of Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holistic Pet Care in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. “They need to learn how to get along with other people and pets, as well as how to handle all new situations. A well-socialized puppy is a happy and well-adjusted member of the family, and is less likely to develop separation anxiety and other fear-based behaviors.”
If you missed this window with an older dog, don’t worry. There is still time for her to develop confidence and manners by taking on responsibility now.
What are the first steps?
While making friends and learning how to play with other dogs is key, building confidence through a variety of new experiences is an integral part of the process. The goal of introducing a new experience is to generate a positive response rather than fear to the stimulus. Start with the following experiences:
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- Ring the doorbell.
- CHEAPremove device, including garbage disposal and dishwashers; don’t forget the vacuum!
- Introduction to walking and standing on different surfaces: carpet, carpet, hardwood, ceramic tile, rubber or stainless steel carpet. This will also be helpful when encountering surfaces found in the veterinary office or barbershop.
- Introduce stairs with support: A step or two into the family room is a good start.
- Play with your puppy wearing a mask, hat, big coat or other seasonal clothing that your puppy may eventually encounter. Your dog may not be interested in hats with a large fluffy hat.
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- Take a walk in another neighborhood: introduce your puppy to different people and dogs (at the beginning of protective vaccinations). Adding a new place to walk will be a miracle with different scents for you to explore!
- Walking in the car: The car must be associated with positive experiences, not just to go to the vet.
- Spend time in the parking lot at the mall or school to detect new noises such as children playing, passing cars or honking their horns, or the screeching brakes of school buses.
- Visit pet-friendly stores and introduce your dog to people, pups, and animals other than dogs.
To ensure your puppy has a positive experience, never yell at a puppy for a fear response or force the puppy (or dog) to endure repeated exposures to the situation.
What kind of puppy? Are there socialization programs?
Looking for more socializing experiences? Local pet resorts offer puppy socialization programs for extra experience and learning.
Once your puppy starts getting vaccinated, it’s safe to participate in social activities like puppy social time or a puppy preschool program. Puppy socialization programs vary at different pet resorts, but the mission is the same: make friends, have fun, and build trust in a safe and loving environment. Participation in a socialization program is also an informal introduction to training, daycare, care and accommodation services.
This is just an example role.
Bittersweet Pet Resort & Cage, Niles, Michigan. Bittersweet Pet Resort offers a free twice-monthly puppy socialization program for puppies 1 year of age and younger and their pet parents. Staff supervise puppies during play and educate pet parents on how to train and encourage good behaviors.
“Watching puppies play together helps parents recognize appropriate play behaviors and when to intervene to correct them,” says Madison Dietz, assistant superintendent. “Many pet parents form friendships with each other and arrange puppy play between classes.”
While searching for a daycare program for her Pit Bull Terrier, Scout, Kelli Zeese discovered the Bittersweet puppy socialization class and signed up for it.
“Since she was a Pit Bull, socialization was important, and it gave me the opportunity to educate others about the breed. Classes are a great start to a Scout’s training. She recently completed the Canine Good Citizen program and is on her way to becoming a therapy dog,” explains Kelli. “Parents talked about different places to take our dogs for new experiences and helpful pet products. It’s a great community of people for helpful resources. “
Than bittersweetpetresort.com.
Green Acres Pet Resort, DeForest, Wisconsin. “My background in dog training comes from working with rescuers,” says Jenna Homburg, head coach of Green Acres Pet Resort. “I have experienced many different behavioral situations when working with rescue and shelter dogs. Not being properly socialized is the main problem for most people.”
Green Acres Pet Resort recently introduced a free weekly socialization class. Jenna points out that dogs are not born with an innate knowledge of how to communicate and play. When puppies are adopted at an early age, humans must replace what the mother has taught her puppies. Jenna is very excited about the program and looks forward to introducing the dogs to many interesting things.
“It’s a small opportunity to socialize with a puppy the right way,” she said. “If you wait too long, anxiety and fear can develop. I now start working with puppies and early clients to build confidence and avoid behavior problems. Those problems often result in the dog ending up in a shelter. No one wants that prospect.”
The socialization experience must extend beyond the family. At home, Jenna explains, there are no outside distractions. Real-life situations must be included. Socialization is a great introduction to a structured training program. Without proper socialization, training the dog can be more time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. More at greenacrespetresort.com.
Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Puppy Social Hour is a free weekly class at Holiday House Pet Resort. One class is for puppies 2 to 4 months old and the other is for puppies 4 to 6 months old. Before the pandemic, parents brought their puppies to class, but now puppies are left alone, which is beneficial for dogs.
“From a trainer’s perspective, without a parent’s safety net, puppies not only learn to make friends on their own, but also learn to be comfortable away from their parents. Cheryl Lindley, the resort’s daycare and training program manager explains.
Than holidayhousepetresort.com.
Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center, Houston, Texas. Amanda Shaw said: “Our 4-month-old Doodle was not socialized before we brought him home. “The first day she went to kindergarten in Meadowlake was ‘ruffled’ but on the second weekend she was racing to play with her friends. I really think she wouldn’t have grown into the social butterfly she is today without the daycare. The show allows her to slowly warm up the herd and learn how to be a puppy. “
Meadowlake Pet Resort offers daycare at two locations in Houston. Puppies participate in the program until they graduate from the puppy group at 6 months of age or complete an introduction to the adult dog daycare program. The daycare program provides a variety of toys and playground equipment for fun-filled days, as well as nap time to recharge their batteries.
Laura Koch, executive director of Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center said: “Puppies who go to school every day will quickly get used to the social environment. “Our nursery teachers introduce the puppies to proper play and good manners. These puppies often transition into adult dog daycare more quickly than other puppies or dogs. “
Pet parent Leigh Leppert said: “This experience changed Benny’s life and mine. It is fearless and confident when it comes to other dogs – I never worry about its demeanor. He’s thriving in the nursery program, and I’m always grateful when he’s tired of playing all day after I’ve had a long day at the office. “
Than meadowlakepetresort.com.
The focus of any socialization program – whether pet parents are involved or not – is on guiding the puppy to make friends and become part of the pack. The experience of socialization inside and outside the home sets the stage for successful training and reduces the risk of behavioral problems, like separation anxiety, that develop as the puppy matures.
