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All dogs are descended from the most social of hunters: the wolf. Dogs naturally crave interaction with other members of their family “pack,” and since pet dogs live in a world where their pack may consist of everything from other dogs to a bunny rabbit, it’s vital that they be properly socialized.
Socialization is the process by which dogs learn how to interact with their world. The most important socialization occurs in the first 18 weeks of a dog’s life. If behavior problems aren’t addressed by then, it’s likely that the dog will have them for life. The happiest, most confident dogs spend their puppyhood being exposed to every possible situation and scenario. Dogs that are properly socialized are seldom aggressive or fearful and make the best family pets. Socialization by Age Birth to 2 Weeks | Even at this young age, puppies need exposure to humans. Newborn puppies live in a world of smell and touch, and they should become accustomes to the scent of a variety of humans and the gentle touch of human hands. | 2 to 4 Weeks | Puppies are developing rapidly at this time. As the eyes and ears begin to function, puppies have more opportunities to experience their world. Puppies are still too young to be taken outside the home, but they can begin to experience new smells, textures, and sounds. Puppies should be allowed to explore their home, including brief trips outdoors if weather permits. | 4 to 18 Weeks | This is the most important period for puppies to socialize. Once puppies wean from their mother, they have their first experiences with struggle and conflict as they wrestle with their littermates for food. Puppies are now ready to handle exposure to anything they may face as adults. Effort should be made to give the puppies constant new experiences with people, animals, and situations. | 18 Weeks to Adulthood | Although the most vital period of socialization has passed, it’s still a good idea to expose your dog to as many new experiences as he is comfortable with. Dogs that have remaining behavior issues at this time may require professional help. Although it is unlikely that these issues will be completely resolved, continued socialization can lessen their effects. | Types of Socialization There is some key exposure that every puppy should have before she reaches 18 weeks of age. If at all possible, give your puppy the chance to experience all of these things multiple times. The more situations, places, and people your puppy encounters, the happier and healthier she will be as an adult. People Dogs that only spend time with their immediate family members are often wary of strangers and may be more prone to aggression. Let your puppy meet as many people as possible while she is young. Puppies should spend time with men, women, and children of all shapes and forms. Let your puppy see you and other with various types of clothes, hats, and accessories. Give your puppy the chance to meet elderly people and those who use canes or wheelchairs. Puppies need exposure to people of all skin tones and colors as well as children and teenagers of all ages and dispositions. Other Dogs Some puppies spend so much time with humans they fail to recognize themselves as dogs. Although you puppy probably won’t be finished with all her vaccinations until she is 12 weeks of age, it is perfectly safe for her to associate with older dogs and puppies that are current on their shots. Take you puppy to places where people and dogs congregate like local parks, hiking trails, and chain pet stores that allow leashed dogs. Introduce your puppy to other dogs in your extended family and in the neighborhood. Make sure your puppy encounters dogs of all shapes, sizes, and coat types. The more dogs your puppy encounters, the less likely she is to be injured in a dog fight or to be aggressive of her home territory. Other Animals If you plan to share your home with more than one type of pet, make sure your puppy encounters all types of different animals. If you don’t have cats, find someone who does and let your puppy meet them. (Most cats are perfectly capable of handling a puppy and soon establish dominance). Even if you don’t live in the country, try to let your puppy see and smell horses, cow, sheep, chickens, goats, or anything else you can manage. Although you may live far from other animals now, there is now telling what might happen in the future. You dog may spend part of her life on a farm later on, or you may find yourself moving to a more rural area. If you want your puppy to live peaceably with small animals like rabbits or rodents, you must expose your puppy to them now. Dogs that do not encounter these types of small animals as puppies can rarely be trusted with them as adults. Travel Take your puppy in the car whenever you get the chance. The more time your puppy spends on the move now, the more comfortable she will be with it later. Let your puppy ride in different types of vehicles, and, if possible, take your puppy on public busses and trains. It’s even a good idea to let your puppy ride in a boat if you have access to one. Out-of-Territory Experiences Puppies will soon establish their home as the territory of their pack. If they never leave their home turf, puppies will grow into adult dogs that are territorial and fearful of the world at large. You simply can’t provide the same array of stimulus at home as you can by taking your puppy out of his territory and into the world. Puppies should see traffic, cyclists, strollers, shopping carts, and other alien forms of transportation. Crowded streets and quiet country lanes, airplanes and geese overhead, and large open spaces and narrow alleys can all help a puppy become accustomed to life in a big world. In-Territory Experiences Your puppy will need to live with you in your home, and that means he’ll have to cope with all aspects of your daily life. Puppies should be familiar with household appliances like vacuum cleaners, washing machines, lawnmowers, blenders and other noise makers. Puppies should see people and animals come and go through their territory and learn the difference between invited guests and unwelcome strangers. If you plan on having children, borrow a family member or close friend’s baby for a few hours and gently expose your puppy to him. Try to think ahead a few years to what your family situation might be like and give your puppy a chance to have relevant experiences now while she is young enough to benefit from them most.
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