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New Puppy Owners
Socialization and training your puppy is most important and it’s a critical time in your dog’s development. What you do and don’t do right now will affect your dog’s behaviour.
A properly socialized puppy is well adjusted and makes a good companion. It’s not frightened nor aggressive with anyone or anything it would meet in a day to day living.
Un-socialized dog is untrustworthy and an unwanted liability. They often become fear-biters and fight with other dogs. They become difficult for the owner to train and are generally unpleasant to be around.
Unsocialized dogs don’t adapt to new situations and a simple routine visit to the vet is a nightmare not only for the dog, but for everyone involved. Don’t let this happen to your dog. Start socializing your puppy once it’s been with you for a few days.
Socialization
period lasts up to about 12 weeks (3 months) of age. However, at 12 weeks, the puppy must continue socialization to refine its social skills. Socialization 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.
Socialization do’s
When you are socializing your puppy make sure that each event is a pleasant one and non-threatening. If your puppy’s first experience with something is a painful or frightening, you will be defeating the purpose. You will defiantly be creating a phobia that will often last a lifetime.
It is always better to go slow and assure your puppy is not frightened or injured than to rush and force your puppy to meet new things and people. Invite friends over to meet your puppy, women, men, and children/babies (must be supervised) and the elderly.
Also invite friendly healthy vaccinated dogs and puppies to your home to meet and play with the new puppy, even take your puppy to the homes of cats to meet if possible.
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