Puppy Socialization

It’s an Important Part of Every Dog’s Development! 

 By:  Pia Silvani, CPDT, CABC 

Have you recently gotten a new puppy or decided that you are ready to adopt one?  If so, it is important that you are aware of the critical socialization stages a puppy goes through as she develops and do everything you can to make good socialization a priority. 

Between the ages of 3-16 weeks, puppies will learn more than they will in the ensuring years of their lives. What occurs during this critical period has an everlasting emotional and cognitive effect on the dogs.  Many pups come in to their permanent homes at 7 weeks (49 days) of age.    That leaves you only the back-end of the period to influence.   

From 3-12 weeks a puppy’s socialization period begins.  It is a sensitive period in the dog’s developmental stages. This is the optimal time for her to experience and learn without being fearful. 

 Between 3-5 weeks pups go through the primary socialization stage where a great deal of learning occurs.  Much of this learning establishes a foundation for behavior patterns (good and bad!) later in life.  Insufficient socialization during this time can lead to hyperactivity, over-reactivity, emotional rigidity, anxiety and more. It can lead to problems with separation and fear or aggression toward strangers.  When separated from their litters during this period, many pups are intolerant of other dogs later in life.   

The secondary socialization period (6-12 weeks) is a process where bonding and social conditioning occurs.    It is critical that puppies are provided with adequate social contact and as much exposure to as many things in the environment as possible during this time.   

 For years, our training department has been observing pups that appear to have had poor or inadequate early socialization. The pups may have been deprived of exposure to environments beyond their own homes and appear to have unusual deficits and/or dysfunctional behaviors.  If a puppy is isolated from the world early on, she will have difficulty enjoying companionships; she may exhibit distrust or even extreme fear of any social contact and appear to have behavioral disabilities. These dogs typically will exhibit poor learning and problem-solving abilities and are unable to cope since their fear or  avoidance of anything they find unpleasant overrides everything else.  

 With concentrated remedial socialization, some pups can regain some tranquility, yet they may never reach their full potential possible had they been properly socialized right from the beginning.  Therefore, it’s important to take a pro-active approach when adopting a puppy.  Poor behaviors resulting from poor socialization will ‘not go away with time’ and are not simply ‘puppy behaviors.’

 Bringing the Puppy Home 

As soon as your pup enters your house, socialization should begin.  Socialization is about POSITIVE experiences, not simply having an experience.  If the experience is frightening or unpleasant for the puppy, the puppy is not being properly socialized. 

Puppies should be playful and friendly.  Some times puppies may exhibit behaviors that are early warning signs of future potential problems.  If you see any of the following signs, please contact a professional in the field before a problem becomes severe.  Seek help if your pup: 

• spends a lot of time ‘hiding’ under furniture.  She is not confident in her household.   Pay attention to from what and whom the pup seems to be hiding, how often and when? 

• hides under furniture or retreats to a crate when you give her a bone and toy.  She is fearful that someone will take the prize away.  Are you constantly taking things from her  mouth?  Children should not be removing items from the puppy’s mouth.  If everyone is attempting to be the ‘leader’ or ‘disciplinarian’ then the puppy will tire of people’s hands coming at her.

• “fools around” during grooming or handling.  Is it really fooling around or is the puppy becoming agitated?

• is not comfortable being handled by your veterinarian and/or groomer without exhibiting extreme fear or aggressive behaviors.  

• is not enjoying a kindergarten puppy class (hiding, running away, quivering).  Talk to your instructor. 

• is threatening toward family members while it is eating.  There is no need to prove that you can take the food away.   Instead, put some yummy treats into the bowl while you praise your puppy for being relaxed when you are near the bowl.     

• has curled her lip, growled, snarled, or snapped at other dogs, children or adults.  This will not go away with age and needs to be dealt with immediately.

• is exhibiting extreme timidity when introduced to new people or dogs. 

Being aware of these early warning signs can eliminate future problems.  Don’t wait until your dog has bitten someone before you call for help.  If you are concerned, at any time, seek the help of a professional.  You will not regret it!