(Me and my 2week old puppy named Itchigo)
Like children, you need to get your puppies young to raise them right. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By properly socializing your puppy from an early age, you can teach it important socializing behaviors it can carry for the rest of its life. Starting with a puppy is like beginning with a blank page. The first behaviors you teach it are crucial. With proper socialization, you can avoid serious behavior problems such as shyness, timidity and aggression.
Once a puppy has all its shots at about 16 weeks of age, it’s important to socialize it with other friendly dogs, as well as acclimate the puppy to environments outside of the home and property through regular walks on a leash.
If you raise your puppy in the country or a suburban environment, it’s best to gradually acclimate him to traffic noise, crowds of people and other everyday life situations he’ll experience in more populated areas. Starting at 8 to 10 weeks of age, a weekly visit to town can be very helpful in getting your puppy used to busier areas. This can be very helpful at preventing environmental phobias.
When socializing with other dogs, keep in mind that puppies with fewer than 3 or 4 series of vaccinations should avoid contact with other unfamiliar dogs. It may be best to carry them in a crate or a Sherpa bag to make sure they don’t make too early contact with other dogs that may subject them to disease.
If your puppy shows early signs of timidity, it’s best to gradually introduce him to new and unfamiliar people so he can learn confidence and trust. Visitors should avoid sudden movements to touch the puppy as this can increase his fear and inclination to react aggressively. Make sure the introduction is gradual and passive, allowing your puppy to first sniff the hand through a gentle means. Avoid eye contract and confrontational body language. Visitors should crouch near the floor with the body facing away from the puppy, holding their hand to the side while offering the puppy a treat. Allow the puppy to first take the treat from their hand, rather than forcing the treat onto the puppy.
If the puppy is shy, resist the temptation to coddle or treat the puppy like a “poor baby.” The visitor should always remain encouraging, friendly and upbeat.
It’s very crucial the puppy learn to socialize with his own kind. By only socializing with humans, your puppy can learn problematic behaviors when around other dogs, leading to anxiety or aggression.
If your puppy is timid around other dogs but fully immunized, begin with socializing the puppy around other friendly easy-going puppies and dogs. Beginning to medium sized puppies work best, gradually working towards bigger dogs as the puppy learns confidence and comfort. Notice the puppy’s body language as it interacts with other dogs. If your puppy is especially timid, one day play sessions work best.
There are easy to recognize signs that your puppy is stressed. Panting when it’s not hot or the puppy is not thirsty is one sign of an overly anxious puppy. Timidity shown by running away, shirking or hiding in your arms is another sign of fear. This is natural in the beginning and should go away as the puppy is better socialized with humans and other dogs.
Yawning repeatedly is another sign of a possible nervous tick. Other dogs may become more hyperactive, running around and barking excessively. It’s similar to how some people may become overly anxious and talk or fidget nervously. Some dogs may tend to withdraw as they are overwhelmed by the situation.
Be patient and gradual with your puppy, but start early. Like humans, the building blocks of behavior in puppies are laid at an early age. It’s important to establish a solid foundation for a well-adjusted and healthy dog for years to come.
