If you are considering adopting a new puppy, you should know they will need proper socialization to learn how to handle new experiences. Our team at Marcy Veterinary Clinic wants to help by answering frequently asked questions about puppy socialization.

Question: What is puppy socialization?

Answer: Socializing your puppy involves introducing them to numerous new people, animals, sights, sounds, scents, and experiences to help them learn to acclimate to new situations. Examples include:

• Other pets — Schedule puppy play dates to introduce your puppy to other dogs. You can also introduce them to other pets, such as cats, ferrets, hamsters, and fish, if you have a multi-pet household.
• Other animals — If you have access to a farm or park, you can introduce your puppy to other animals such as cows, horses, squirrels, and birds. 
• People — Invite friends and family members to meet your puppy, to ensure that they meet people of different races, genders, and ages. Also, have your puppy meet people wearing different clothing and accessories to get them used to people wearing coats, hats, glasses, and scarves.
• Sounds — Many pets who are not exposed to sounds at an early age develop noise phobias. Introduce your puppy to thunderstorms, fireworks, the vacuum cleaner, traffic noise, and any other sounds they may encounter.
• Smells — Dogs have an incredible sense of smell that they use to gain information about their environment. Let them explore numerous different smells when outdoors.
• Food — Expose your puppy to wet and dry food to let them appreciate the different textures and flavors.
• Car rides — Take your puppy on brief car rides, gradually increasing the length, so they become comfortable taking trips.
• Settings — Take your puppy to different environments, such as parks, city streets, lakes, streams, and wooded areas.
• Handling — Get your puppy used to being touched on their ears, paws, tail, and belly. Open their mouth and rub their teeth. These practices will help them accept grooming techniques, such as teethbrushing, ear cleaning, and coat brushing, and will also make veterinary visits easier and less stressful.

Q: Why is puppy socialization important?

A: Dogs who are exposed to a wide variety of positive experiences as puppies are less likely to develop anxiety issues as an adult. After the puppy socialization period, the dog’s brain is less able to process and accept new experiences, making a fearful or anxious response more likely. This could lead to behavioral issues, such as aggression, separation anxiety, and noise phobias.

Q: When is the best time to socialize my puppy?

A: Puppies develop in four stages, and are more amenable to socialization from 3 to 14 weeks of age. Puppy developmental stages include:

• Neonatal period — From 0 to 2 weeks of age, puppies are blind, and must rely completely on their mother.
• Transitional period — From 2 to 4 weeks, the puppy’s eyes start to open, and they start interacting with their litter mates. Their personality starts to develop, and they begin to explore their environment.
• Socialization period — From 3 to 14 weeks, puppies become more aware of their surroundings, and are able to develop relationships with humans. They learn doggie social skills and become more curious about their world. This is the best time to socialize your puppy to ensure they become a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog.
• Testing period — From 3 to 6 months of age, puppies start to test their boundaries with their owners and other dogs.

Q: How do I properly socialize my puppy?

A: You want every new experience to be positive for your puppy. Steps that will help ensure your puppy is properly socialized include:

• Short sessions — Introducing your puppy to numerous new situations can be overwhelming. Keep the socialization sessions to 10 to 15 minutes to ensure your puppy doesn’t become tired or upset.
• Excessive praise — Encourage your puppy with frequent pets and praise.
• Abundant treats — Pack a healthy treat supply when socializing your puppy to make the experience as positive as possible.
• Read your puppy’s body language — Read your puppy’s body language so you can remove them from a situation if they are stressed or fearful. Also, ensure you can interpret when your puppy is tired, so you can stop the session before they become too exhausted. Signals indicating your socialization session should be terminated include yawning, panting, frequently stopping during walks or play, droopy ears, and whining. 

Q: Is socialization safe for my puppy?

A: Puppies cannot be fully vaccinated until they are 16 to 18 weeks of age, but the golden period for socialization is 3 to 14 weeks—which means your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated when they should be having new experiences. Socialization during this time is too important to wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated. Steps to keep your puppy healthy while socializing them include:

• Checking other dogs’ vaccination status — Ensure other puppies that your puppy encounters have started their vaccinations and aren’t exhibiting any illness signs, and that other adult dogs are fully vaccinated.
• Avoiding high traffic areas — Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, avoid puppy parks and other high traffic areas. In addition, ensure your puppy doesn’t investigate other dog’s waste materials. 

Adopting a new puppy is exciting, and topping your list should be proper socialization to ensure they become a well-adjusted, well-behaved adult dog. If your puppy is due for their vaccines, contact our team at Marcy Veterinary Clinic, so we can ensure they are protected for their socialization sessions.