I have a new puppy! How can I socialize them?

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During the first three months of life puppies go through a period where curiosity outweighs fear. It is EXTREMELY important to socialize your puppy with new people, animals, stimuli and environments during this time, to prevent or at least reduce behavioural problems later in life. All training should be based on fun-for-all, through frequent praise and/or treats for desired behaviors. As this receptive period occurs before your puppy is fully vaccinated, precautions need to be taken. Recommendations for socialization include:

1. Handle your puppy from birth to help accept manipulation of all body parts. Include mouth and ears in a positive, fun manner.
2. Exposure your puppy to as many different people, situations, places and well-socialized animals (who are up to date with vaccines) as you can.
   1. Puppies who have not had their second vaccination should only be socialized with animals who are up to date on their own vaccines, in areas not frequented by many animals to minimize risk. Having some friends bring dogs over is safer than going to a dog park at this age.
   2. One week after their second vaccine (~13 weeks) puppies can go to public parks and for walks on the street/sidewalk and can mix with other animals (although we still recommend sticking to known friendly animals to avoid traumatizing exposures)
3. Encourage exploration, investigation and manipulation of their environments.
   1. Use games and include a variety of surfaces.
   2. Include some alone play time to encourage independence.
   3. Habituate the pup to a crate as a safe place to rest. Hide treats and give prized toys during these ‘quiet times’.
4. Bring your puppy on car trips, starting with short trips and working up to longer ones. 
5. Attend puppy socialization classes;
   1. Start as early as 7-8 weeks, with a minimum of ONE set of vaccines (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus) at least seven days prior to the first class.
   2. Keep them up to date with vaccines throughout the class
   3. Consider intra-nasal kennel cough (aka bordetella) vaccine at least three days before starting the class.
6. Continue active socialization into adulthood to maintain an outgoing, confident and sociable dog.

 
If your puppy displays signs of fear and is not thriving, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. We can discuss ways to reduce anxiety and positively reinforce good behaviour to develop a balanced, well adjusted dog for life!
 
References:
Modified from the AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization
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