Learning how to socialize puppies is critical to providing a healthy and peaceful habitat for the dog. After all, it is through proper socialization that the dog will be able to feel part of something bigger and feel safe.
However, socialization is neither so simple nor quick. Especially if you have a dog that is a little suspicious and shy, this process can take a longer time and you need to be patient.
Understanding the signs and movements of the dog, it is very important not to push the bar and make the dog anxious and stressed.
Learn How to Socialize Puppies
When socializing puppies, you need to consider a number of different situations. After all, socialization is important for the dog to feel comfortable and calm in front of other animals, other environments and situations.
In other words, socialization is not just about teaching the dog to be with other dogs. It is more than that. To help you, we’ve listed some conditions that should be socialized with your puppy:
- Socializing with other animals.
- Socializing with people.
- Socialization with objects and noise.
- Socialization with environments.
- Socialization with situations.
To learn by doing and understand a little more about each of these conditions above, read on.
socializing with other animals
Socializing puppies with other puppies is one of the most important steps you need to take.
It is the puppy’s socialization with other dogs that will help him to feel, in fact, like a dog. Because living with other animals helps to awaken instinctual sensations, such as partnership, friendship and games.
This socialization should be done gradually. First, you need to know if the other dog is calm and if the guardian has control over him. After that, the presentation can be done carefully and on a leash.
Keep the collar loose, but firm enough to pull the dog over if anything gets out of hand.
socializing with people
In other words, he will look good in the presence of other people and will not have the need to defend territory or interact as if there was no tomorrow.
Make presentations within the first few months of the dog’s life.
Let the dog sniff, get close and interact with the person. But don’t push the envelope. If the dog is suspicious or shy, it’s no use pushing it.
Socialization with objects and noise
Yes, it is very important that you help the dog to get used to the most different noises and objects in the environment.
This fear is associated with protective instincts.
However, you can gradually get your dog used to thunder noises. Put the noise on TV/sound and create a motivating environment, with snacks and games.
That way, the first time the puppy hears the thunder noise, he won’t be as stressed as the sound will not be original.
And the same goes for other things like objects. So, make the proper introductions – little by little – and make sure your pet is okay.
Socialization with environments
Environments can also be an issue for a puppy. After all, it’s not uncommon for a dog to get suspicious in a space and go into hiding because he feels unprotected.
In this case, you need to consider socializing the pet in different environments. In other words, he needs to know how to live in the living room, bedroom, balcony, street, park and wherever else you want.
For this you must introduce the dog little by little. When he arrives at the new house, create a restricted environment until he gets used to it. And then go to another one.
In the park, don’t let the dog loose. Take him on a leash and stay where there are fewer people/dogs. And so, do with all environments. Never leave your dog indoors.
socialization with situations
The most different situations can make the dog really scared. It’s not uncommon for a dog to get scared on the day of housecleaning or something like that.
So introduce him to different situations. Everything you do differently in the environment, don’t do it “from scratch”. If your dog just got home, he needs to adapt to his routine little by little.
When turning on the vacuum, turn it on when the dog is farthest away. Avoid changing the layout of the house too much, as dogs like routine and will feel comfortable only that way (with routine).
And speaking of routine, here’s a very important tip: create healthy routines for the dog. Don’t do things randomly.
Best stage to socialize puppies
There’s no getting around it: the best time to socialize puppies is in the first few months of life. At this stage, they still don’t have canine manias. Which helps a lot when teaching a basic command or a training itself.
So if you’ve just adopted a dog, don’t hesitate: socialize him as soon as possible. Gradually, but as soon as possible.
And if you have an adult dog that hasn’t been socialized yet, don’t worry. You can still socialize the pet. Just be a little more patient, as they will take longer to get rid of certain idiosyncrasies and routines.
The Importance of Socializing Puppies
If there’s one thing that helps pets to live happily and peacefully in their daily lives, it’s socialization. There’s no getting around it. Because it is the socialization of pets that helps them to live in harmony in different environments, with other animals and people.
It is very common for bite accidents, for example, to happen to dogs encouraged to live alone – in kennels or collars.
In addition, socialization helps a lot in the mental health of pets and they live much better because they feel safer and happier.
Tips for socializing puppies
There are numerous ways to socialize a puppy.
- Take it easy.
- Get started as soon as possible.
- Don’t force situations.
- Learn about behaviors and reactions.
Understand more about each item on the list and apply it on a daily basis with your dog.
Take it easy
It is essential that you don’t take a step bigger than your leg when socializing your pet. After all, if you are impatient, the chances of transmitting that impatience to the dog are quite high.
A dog takes time to learn certain social situations. It will not always be quick for your pet to get used to other dogs, environments, noises or situations.
But you can’t give up and you need to keep practicing with him.
start as soon as possible
Start early: This is perhaps the most important tip of all. After all, the sooner you start socializing your pet, the sooner it manages to create healthy routines.
Thus, the dog will already grow with socialization.
don’t force situations
Dog socialization cannot and will not happen quickly.
It is very important that you do it slowly and without pushing it. After all, if you push the envelope, at any time the dog can develop other types of behavior, such as aggression and fear.
Learn about behaviors and reactions
Learning to “read” your dog is very important. All of this will help, and a lot, for you to know how to take the right steps towards the dog’s socialization.
When you can interpret movements, reactions and pick up the signals the dog is giving, you know when to stop or go. This helps a lot not to push the bar and also not to put pressure on the dog.