"What is Socialization?" (NEW! 2/13/04)
Imprinting and Socialization go hand in hand. It's a bit hard to separate the two topics into separate categories, but I'll give it a try for learning purposes.
Socialization basically means exposing your puppy to the world in a way that will allow him to grow up to be a dog that is confident, happy, and at ease in all types of situations and locations.
The prime socialization period in puppies is between 7 and 17 weeks of age but that doesn't mean that socialization can't be done after that point. It is important to socialize your dog to new and fun experiences throughout his life.
Keep in mind that it's very important that the socialization is done correctly! If you take your puppy out the day you get him, and walk him through a construction site full of bulldozers and dump trucks that scare him badly, you're going to do a whole lot more damage than good! Give your pup a chance to bond with you first, then start to expose your puppy to new experiences, but only as fast as he can assimilate them!
"How do I Socialize my puppy?"
Proper socialization takes place only AFTER you have spent time getting to know your puppy. You absolutely must allow him to bond with you and imprint on you first! Your puppy needs to see you as his leader and protector. He needs to know that no matter what, you will be there to take care of him. That big old smoke belching tractor won't gobble him up, because you won't let it. That nasty barking dog down the street won't bite him, because you'll protect him and chase that stray dog away.
When your puppy feels confident that you would never allow anything to hurt him, he will feel much more secure exploring new places and investigating new things, because he knows that you are there beside him.
Always be sure to watch your puppy's body language to judge whether the new experiences are frightening your puppy or if he is enjoying his little field trips. Each puppy is different, one may charge full speed ahead and try to bite the vacuum cleaner, while others are more reserved or may even be afraid of it.
Socialization must be done in a way that allows the puppy to experience new things, while making sure that it is a positive influence on him. To much, to soon will do more harm than good. If you try to go to fast, you'll scare the puppy rather than building his confidence as you had intended.
For related topics, see our pages on:
Encouragement, praise and correction
Fearful Reactions
Building Confidence
- Debbie Knatz
Shepherd's Ridge
Imprinting and Socialization go hand in hand. It's a bit hard to separate the two topics into separate categories, but I'll give it a try for learning purposes.
Socialization basically means exposing your puppy to the world in a way that will allow him to grow up to be a dog that is confident, happy, and at ease in all types of situations and locations.
The prime socialization period in puppies is between 7 and 17 weeks of age but that doesn't mean that socialization can't be done after that point. It is important to socialize your dog to new and fun experiences throughout his life.
Keep in mind that it's very important that the socialization is done correctly! If you take your puppy out the day you get him, and walk him through a construction site full of bulldozers and dump trucks that scare him badly, you're going to do a whole lot more damage than good! Give your pup a chance to bond with you first, then start to expose your puppy to new experiences, but only as fast as he can assimilate them!
"How do I Socialize my puppy?"
Proper socialization takes place only AFTER you have spent time getting to know your puppy. You absolutely must allow him to bond with you and imprint on you first! Your puppy needs to see you as his leader and protector. He needs to know that no matter what, you will be there to take care of him. That big old smoke belching tractor won't gobble him up, because you won't let it. That nasty barking dog down the street won't bite him, because you'll protect him and chase that stray dog away.
When your puppy feels confident that you would never allow anything to hurt him, he will feel much more secure exploring new places and investigating new things, because he knows that you are there beside him.
Always be sure to watch your puppy's body language to judge whether the new experiences are frightening your puppy or if he is enjoying his little field trips. Each puppy is different, one may charge full speed ahead and try to bite the vacuum cleaner, while others are more reserved or may even be afraid of it.
Socialization must be done in a way that allows the puppy to experience new things, while making sure that it is a positive influence on him. To much, to soon will do more harm than good. If you try to go to fast, you'll scare the puppy rather than building his confidence as you had intended.
For related topics, see our pages on:
Encouragement, praise and correction
Fearful Reactions
Building Confidence
- Debbie Knatz
Shepherd's Ridge