The socialization period you have as a puppy will influence how your dog will behave as an adult dog as well as how it will react to its environment. Gently exposing them to a wide variety of environmental factors, such as people, places, and situations, can create a successful difference in their temperament. To learn more about how to socialize your puppy, read the tips we’ve provided below:
Introduce the Puppy to New Senses
Consider everything they encounter as an opportunity for them to make a new, positive association because everything is new, strange, and unusual to them. You should expose your puppy to as many different types of people, places, sounds, and textures as possible. This includes, for example, having them walk on carpet, hardwood, tile, meeting someone who is in a wheelchair or using a cane, meeting children, and so on.
Positive Reinforcement
Whenever you introduce your puppy to a new experience, make sure that they are getting the right amount of praise and treats so that they will associate seeing something new with being fun. It’s important to break up the treats into pieces that are easily digestible for your pup. Do not be stressed yourself – dogs can read our emotions, so if you’re nervous when you introduce your puppy to an older dog, for example, your puppy may be nervous too, and may become fearful of other dogs in the future.
Publicly Acclimate Them
Once your puppy is used to small exposures, get them out of their comfort zone.Bringing your puppy outside to a pet store, a friend’s house, or even on a walk down the street to acclimate them to different and unfamiliar factors. At seven-to-ten days, after your pup has received their full series of puppy vaccinations, it’s safe to take them to the dog park.
Attend Puppy Classes
Here at Canine College we offer not only Puppy Kindergarten, but a plethora of Dog Training classes for any pup to take. These classes will help adapt your puppy or dog to any circumstances they’re facing. To learn more about how you can get started, give our experts at Canine College a call today at 781-767-3908. We look forward to seeing you and your puppy soon!
