Puppies are like children. Their brains are developing at a rapid rate from birth until about a year old (similar to a child from birth to 6 years old). Whatever puppies are exposed to in this amount of time, they will accept as normal. They will not be afraid of interacting with it or visiting it again in the future. For example, a puppy that has never seen a bridge and then suddenly comes across one at the age of 3 will hesitate and resist walking on such a strange, apparently unstable structure. They will be afraid. Despite earlier good behavior, they will be difficult to lead across it. In the end, the owner may have to carry the dog across the bridge in order to reach the other side due to their extreme fear. Have you ever tried carrying a full grown Labrador Retriever? Not easy! Therefore it is important to introduce puppies to everything as much as possible that they might encounter during their lifetime. This is a huge responsibility for an owner and can seem like an impossible task. Yet, it is extremely important. There are some simple steps to accomplish this, listed below.
Socializing from Birth-2 weeks:
Socializing begins at birth. Even though they are born blind and essentially deaf, they still have their other senses of taste, feel, and smell. Stimuli with these senses can begin right away. Here are some simple tips to help them begin to learn about the world around them and not be afraid:
- When puppies are first born, my younger kids are given the two finger rule. They can pet the wriggling newborn puppies with two
fingers. My older kids assist me in picking each puppy up one-by-one and gently rubbing each beneath the chin, chest, and stomach. We carefully feel down the legs and paws. This helps us immediately assess that each puppy is physically healthy as well as introduces each one to our touch and smell. By handling them carefully like this a few times every day, they quickly learn to trust us even before they can see us. - Within minutes of birth, each puppy can be placed on a scale and the weight recorded. The next week is especially important for recording daily weights of each puppy. It doesn’t really matter if one puppy is lower in weight than the others as long as the weight continues to increase. If a weight plateaus or drops, then interaction with a bottle may be necessary. Meanwhile, the feel of the plastic or metal scale top becomes common-place and another potential fear is eliminated. I’ve tried using a variety of kitchen scales, but they can be difficult to get a puppy to stay on long enough to read the weight. A good pet scale is WC Redmond Pet Scale.
- Soon after the puppies are born, begin introducing them to a variety of surfaces. Go to a local home improvement store and collect a few samples of vinyl, wood flooring, carpet, tile, etc. Place these samples near the puppies. They will wander on them, smell them, and become familiar to them.
- In the nesting box, the puppies will also become accustom to the feel of the plastic or wood of the box, the blankets placed with the mother, and fluffy bits of their mother’s fur that she sheds for them. These will all prepare them for the outside world and help them feel welcome in their new life. The best nesting box is one that is high enough not to allow wandering blind puppies to escape, but still gives the mother freedom to come and go as needed. This can be built by hand with wood or a simple method is to use a dog pool. These are easy to set up and provide plenty of room for mother and babies.
Socializing from weeks 2-4:
From weeks two to four, puppies transform. They change from sleeping and eating all the time, to more exploration and curiosity. They still sleep and eat a lot, and an occasional weight check is always good, but they start to desire more freedom. Their eyes are open and they can hear, so all their senses are now alive with stimulation. Around four weeks of age, individual personalities start to emerge. Here are some simple steps to help them in the next steps of socializing:
- Place small ping-pong balls in the nesting box for them to start rolling around and sniffing. Small rubber balls can also be placed in there as well, but keep a close eye on them. Puppy baby teeth start to come in around two to four weeks old. When they start to chew up the rubber balls, remove them for safety. Ping-pong balls might get dented, but should be safe for play the whole time.
- Remove the flooring samples and clean them. Now place a piece of AstroTurf near them. The feel of AstroTurf is very similar to the feel of grass. As they use the potty on the AstroTurf, clean and disinfect it periodically. When they eventually are allowed on real grass, potty training will be much easier. AstroTurf ready-made for dogs can be purchased from Pet Zen Garden.
- Get a house cat or another dog. Seriously. I have a friendly inside-outside cat that loves puppies. She plays with them and sleeps with them. As a result, the puppies grow up recognizing cats as potential friends. The puppy won’t go crazy barking and chasing the feline creatures that happen across the path. They are know cats are just another part of their world and that’s okay. We also have an older miniature schnauzer that seems to still think he is just another puppy. The more animals they are introduced to, the better.
- Turn on sounds around the puppies. Let them hear a vacuum, the radio, the dishwasher, and the sound of people talking. These are all sounds they need to recognize as an adult dog. There is no reason a dog should run in terror from the sound of a vacuum.
Socializing from 4-8 weeks:
During the four to eight weeks, they truly transform into the fun-loving energetic puppies we all adore. Exploration and play become their top priorities. This is very important as these activities teach them about their world and their place in it. Ideally puppies shouldn’t go to their new homes until eight weeks old, since during this critical time of development they are learning from the socialization with their siblings. Here are some simple ways to help:
- Invite the neighbors over and let the puppies meet people of all ages, races, and personalities. Kids that grab tails, carry them upside down, and pet the wrong direction can take some getting use to. If a puppy is comfortable being handled by in a variety of different ways, they will be a lot less likely to react out of fear or anger when meeting a rowdy youngster for the first time. One thing to avoid, however, is crowds. A crowd surrounding a puppy can be claustrophobic and increase fear, not reduce it, so try to keep the visitors in small, limited numbers. Of course, always supervise to make sure none of the puppies are being hurt or handled too roughly.
- Take the puppies outside. They will love the feel of real grass, especially if introduced to AstroTurf, and won’t be able to get enough of the freedom to run. Place a variety of different surfaces in their path such as loose boards, bricks, rocks, tree stumps, hay, wood chips, bark, etc. If you have a bridge in your yard, or even a make-shift board over a hole, let them play around it and cross over it. Stairs, inside and outside, are also important for a puppy to learn to maneuver. All these introductions will eliminate fears and help them feel comfortable.
- During this time they are starting to be weaned, usually around 6 or 7 weeks old, so their time with their mother will decrease. However, keep them together as puppies. They learn several skills from the socialization of their own siblings. They need this time with them to tumble, wrestling, run, and compete. More and more of their individual personalities will emerge as a result. This time with their siblings also prepares them to be good companions to their owners later. In the eagerness to find them a new home, don’t cut this important time short.
- Give them lots of different chew toys and balls. Just like a baby, they need to chew to relieve the soreness of their gums and help push in new teeth. Avoid ropes with a ball or plastic tube in the middle, as generally the middle section is just torn to shreds within a few days. Instead find a braided, durable rope such as Toys Boom Dog Ropes or a toy that works their brain a little such as ThinkPet Rubber Ball. I usually have several tennis balls on hand as well.
Socializing 8 weeks – 1 year:
Sometime between 8-10 weeks old puppies will go to their new homes. At this age, they are ready to leave siblings and bond with their new forever family. Please only get a puppy if you plan to keep it forever!! They take a lot of expense and time, but are worth the effort. As a well-bonded addition, they bring a companionship and unconditional love even when you really goof up. Here is how you can help with socialization during this time:
- Take them everywhere with you. Literally everywhere. While they are puppies, most places will allow them to enter public places. As they grow, you may be more restricted. So, use the puppy stage to your advantage to introduce the your newest addition to stores, parks, other homes, etc. Most people will be drawn to a puppy and welcome the new one into the area. Let the puppy ride in the car, whether on your lap or new an assigned seat. There are several puppy travel seats or nets. Some of suggestions are Dog Car Seat Cover or Pet Booster Seat. Avoid dog parks, grass, and unfamiliar territory until they are fully vaccinated at 12 weeks old.
- Pull out the costumes. Wear masks, hats, funny outfits to show the puppy a different side of humans. When Halloween comes around or a costume party, the puppy shouldn’t need to be hidden away in a back room for fear of how he will react. Let the puppy know that even those who wear large glasses and feathered hats are okay to be around and associate with in your presence.
- Take the puppy to a loud party, concert, or fireworks if possible. There are so many situations where people get excited and make a lot of noise. The puppy needs to know that volume doesn’t always mean danger. Help teach the puppy to stay calm by holding him close to you and soothing him occasionally. An excited, out-of-control dog can scare people even if he isn’t doing anything wrong. Show him how to stay calm even when events around him are loud.
- Most importantly, start training the puppy. Take him to puppy training classes where he will interact with other dogs and people. At the very minimum, learn the basic commands of sit, stay, and come. These can save the puppy’s life in certain situations. Dog want to learn and they want to fit in with the group. Teach with kindness, positive re-enforcement, and the puppy will grow into a loyal, loving companion.
Please be aware that socializing never really stops and each puppy is unique. While one puppy seems to be a natural in all social situations, another have a little more of a hesitant personality. That’s okay. Just like people, each puppy is individual. Yet, all can feel comfortable and learn to act appropriately without fear. They want to belong and be included. Dogs need people, other animals, and new stimuli no matter their age. They will grow in intelligence and positive personality as the socialization continues. When dogs are kenneled and left alone for long periods without any interactions, they can actually regress and become more anti-social. They become more fearful and less trusting. Therefore, adopt your new puppy as a new member of the family. Include and love your new addition all your life. Your puppy will return your love with loyalty, great friendship, and unconditional love. You can read more about the importance of socialization here. If you put in the time and effort, your puppy will grow to be an incredible dog willing to do anything for you and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without him.