Puppy Socialization Leads to a Confident and Well-Behaved Adult Dog

What is puppy socialization?

Puppy socialization is the gentle process of exposing a new puppy to everyday situations, sounds, and sights, in a positive and non-threatening way, in order to acclimatise your puppy to his environment.

Why Do I Need To Socialize My Puppy?

Puppy socialization will help your puppy integrate better, not only into our human world but into theirs too.

Where a puppy is not properly socialized, it will often become easily frightened or confused by the simplest of situations, or noises. Under-socialized puppies are often nervous of people and of their surroundings. This fear, or nervousness, could mean that your puppy develops an aggression problem and may cause your puppy to bite.

Undersocialized puppies can also be hyperactive, over-excited, and anxious, and are more likely to have behavioural problems later in life. They are very often a danger to themselves and to other dogs and puppies.

Effective puppy socialization gradually introduces your puppy to new experiences, in a safe and controlled environment; helping him to accept new situations and experiences calmly and without over-reacting.

If puppy socialization is carried out properly, your puppy will grow into a well-mannered, relaxed and confident adult dog.

When And Where Do I Begin Puppy Socialization?

Start your puppy socialization programme when your puppy is between 4 and 12 weeks old. A puppy's learning capacity will be at its peak and it will be most receptive to training during this time.

If you've bought your puppy from a professional breeder, (which is always strongly recommended) it's likely that the breeder will have already begun socializing the puppies. A good breeder will handle and stroke the puppies each day to get them used to being picked up by humans, and will continue to socialize them until they are ready to leave their mother and come home with their new owner.

When it's time to collect your puppy, it's a good idea to ask the breeder what socialization it's had so far to enable you to carry on where they left off.

It's important to be aware that although the 'socialization window' closes at around 12 weeks, it is vital that puppy socialization is continued beyond 12 weeks. Continue to expose your puppy to as much as possible; he may not learn as quickly as before, but your puppy is still capable of learning.

It's unlikely that your puppy will be fully vaccinated by the time you bring him home so it's important not to put him down where any other unvaccinated dogs may have been. If your puppy comes into contact with dog diseases at this stage, it could prove fatal. That's why, until your puppy is fully vaccinated, the best (and safest) place to begin puppy socialization is in your home and your garden.

Your breeder may have arranged your puppy's first vaccination with his or her own vet. This will go some way toward protecting your puppy, but you must arrange a follow-up with your own vet, who will advise you when the final vaccination's due, and when you can safely allow your puppy on the ground.

Much of the puppy socialization process can quite safely be carried out in your home and garden; however, there will come a point when your puppy needs to meet other dogs and experience new situations outside of the home, ie before he's fully vaccinated. This may not be until your puppy reaches between 10 - 12 weeks old - very near to the end of the time frame for socializing puppies.  You know it's important to expose your puppy to as many different situations and objects as possible, and to meet a variety of different people and dogs before he's 12 weeks old. You also know that it could be dangerous to expose an unvaccinated puppy to areas where other dogs have been, but you don't want to compromise the socialization process. What a dilemma!

Your Puppy Is Not Yet Fully Vaccinated

Don't worry if your puppy is not yet fully vaccinated; you can still socialize him outdoors, as long as you don't put him down on the ground where unvaccinated dogs may have passed by - you must carry him at all times.

Until he's fully vaccinated, he can be carried around outside so that the socialization process is not disrupted. For example, you could carry him in your arms and take him to the garden centre, the local market, or a supermarket car park, to allow him to watch and listen to the sound of cars, people, supermarket trolleys, market traders and anything else that's going on.

If it's safe to do so, stand at a busy crossroads, or by traffic lights, or simply stand at the edge of a busy road and let him watch, and listen to the traffic. If he remains calm, tell him he's a good boy and give him a treat. Don't reassure him as you'll just be confirming that he's got something to be nervous about. If you have friends or family who have fully vaccinated dogs, it would be safe to let them play and socialize in your own puppy-proofed garden.

Whatever you do, don't stop the puppy socialization process just because your puppy is not yet fully vaccinated.

Your Puppy Is Fully Vaccinated

Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, the sky's the limit. You'll be able to take him for walks on the lead, to meet other dogs in the park, or take him to the beach and watch him run around enjoying the sand and the waves!

The 'HOW' Of Puppy Socialization

During the puppy socialization period, your puppy will need to meet as many people as possible: different nationalities, large, small, short, tall, people with beards, moustaches, glasses, wearing hats, scarfs, hoods, carrying umbrellas, and walking sticks.

We recommend you introduce him to sounds, such as sirens, car horns, traffic, children shouting, screaming and playing, dogs barking, aircraft, loud music, mens' voices, arguing, fireworks, tyres screeching, cats meowing, thunder. The list doesn't end there; there's much, much more that your puppy needs to experience during these few vital weeks.

This may seem quite a lot, but I assure you, it's only the beginning.

Do a little bit of socializing each day, but don't expect too much from your puppy too soon.

As with all puppy training, keep the session short and sharp to prevent your puppy becoming bored; puppies' attention spans are short!

The key to effective puppy socialization is to keep going back to each new situation, place, experience, or object; don't simply take your puppy to, for example, the supermarket carpark and never return, do this several times. Each time you do so, it will help to reinforce your puppy's socialization.

Don't get stuck in a rut - make the effort to vary your puppy's routine (and yours!). Take him out in a car other than your own; visit other homes and as many different places as you can. Ensure your puppy meets different people each day. Puppies who grow up with the same old routine day after day will be missing out on so much development potential.

What should you do if your puppy has a negative experience or is frightened?

If your puppy shows fear or nervousness towards something which cannot harm him, for example, an opened umbrella, don't make a fuss, and don't reassure him. If you do, you may be reinforcing his fear; confirming that he is right to be frightened. You are his pack leader and as such you need to show that there is nothing to fear.

Don't try to force your puppy to approach the umbrella - this will only make matters worse. Instead, close the umbrella and put it on the floor. Sit near to it, but ignore it - don't even look at it. Your puppy's curiosity may get the better of him and he may walk over to it and sniff it. If he does, praise him. Continue to expose him to the umbrella until he's comfortable.

At the next session, try opening the umbrella half way. You may want to put a towel inside so that it can't snap shut on a curious puppy - now that would traumatise him! When your puppy is relaxed about a half-open umbrella, it's time to open it fully. Leave it on the floor at this stage; you can lift it up over your head later when he's more used to it.

The key is to de-sensitize your puppy gently, increasing the exposure each time until he shows no fear or nervousness at all.

Don't forget to reward your puppy each time he fails to react to the object; or, if he does react, reward him as soon as he recovers from his fright.

Puppy Socialization Classes

Puppy socialization classes are an ideal supplement to the socialization process. They will also give your puppy an opportunity to meet with other (vaccinated) puppies and their owners. Your vet or local dog club may be able to recommend a class in your area.

Don't forget, your puppy will need to be fully vaccinated before he can mix with other dogs and puppies - speak to your vet, he will be able to advise you.

Obedience Training

Puppies also need to be taught good manners and need to learn what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour. Obedience training is very important for your puppy and should be a part of the puppy socialization process.

Teach your puppy basic obedience commands such as 'Sit', 'Down', 'Stay', 'Come', and many more - and watch him develop into a well-mannered little puppy.

Ongoing Socialization

You will need to continue socializing your puppy for the rest of his life, although there may no longer be the urgency, or the frequency of socialization that is necessary for a young puppy. Continue to find different situations for your dog: for example, take him to your local flea-market, or car boot sale; choose a different walk to give him different sights, sounds, and smells - anywhere that will offer your puppy different (positive) experiences.

By continuing to socialize your puppy throughout his adult life, he will become more confident - not fearful - and will be able to handle almost any situation with ease.

The socialization process is meant to be fun for both you and your puppy. If your puppy enjoys the 'tasks' you set for him his experiences will be positive and he'll learn quickly. If he's a nervous puppy, just take things more slowly - one step at a time. Don't be in a hurry to rush forward.

Many puppies and dogs are put to sleep each year as a result of unacceptable behavioural problems that could very easily have been avoided through proper socialization. Please don't let this happen to your puppy.

Author: Pauline Simpson

Website Address: www.about-cocker-spaniels.com

At About-Cocker-Spaniels.com you'll find practical tips and advice on how to care for your Cocker Spaniel puppy, including how to find and choose your ideal puppy, new puppy care, crate and toilet training, socialization, obedience training, health problems, and much, much more.

As you'll see from this article - you don't need to own a Cocker Spaniel; no matter what breed your puppy is, you'll still find the information we give invaluable!

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