Puppy Socialization, Raleigh NC

Puppy Socialization, Raleigh NC

Once your puppy first comes home, his mind is a blank slate. He knows nothing in regards to the world except what you show him. Puppies usually are not born understanding the world around them, what readers are, what objects for example worms or leaves are, how to cope with people, cars, other pets or noises. These are things you must expose puppy to, ensuring that he has positive experiences with each and every exploration. All the sights and sounds we take for granted in our world are novel to a puppy...he's never seen any of it! Introducing him to all or any of these things as part of his environment is no small task but it is the most important thing you'll ever do for your puppy. windows raleigh

Puppies must be socialized between 4 and 16 weeks of aging. A puppy's brain is most accepting of new experiences between 4 and 12 weeks of age making this the critical period for socialization. Within the following 4 weeks, the socialization window begins to close. If socialization doesn't start until next period, the puppy will be socially handicapped. After 4 months of age, when the socialization window closes, it's a lot more difficult to influence a puppy's opinion and attitude. Of course, the puppy can still learn, but it is infinitely harder as the puppy has to unlearn inappropriate responses including fear or reactivity. For example, if a puppy is not exposed to crowds ahead of four months of age, he may be so paralyzed with fear of the sights and sounds that crowds make, it may be impossible, or at best, uncomfortable for him to manage in this situation. If the puppy is exposed to crowds prior to four months of age and introduced in the positive way, he will accept crowds as "normal in his environment" and not be reactive or nervous about it. The key is to ensure your puppy gets confronted with everything he may be exposed to during his lifetime, while he is very young. Introducing puppy to new stimuli and experiences is crucial to having a well-adjusted and behaviorally healthy adult dog.

Prevention is much better than rehabilitation! A correctly socialized puppy is well adjusted and constitutes a good companion. It really is neither frightened by nor aggressive towards anyone or anything however normally meet in day-to-day living. An un-socialized dog is really a liability. Typical behaviors of your unsocialized dog include fear and stress disorders, fear biting and fearful aggression. Unsocialized dogs cannot adapt to new situations and a simple walk around the neighborhood can panic your furry friend creating hiding behaviors, pulling on the leash to get away from the "scary thing" or offensive aggression (lunging on leash, biting or acting like Cujo to scare the frightening thing away). Do not let this happen to your pet. Start socializing your new puppy NOW! windows raleigh

Vaccinations and exposure risks

Enrolling your pup in a puppy socialization class is ideal and is typically safe. This is a wonderful opportunity to get your puppy out of the house regularly and expose him to new situations and experiences.

Individuals are sometimes warned to not take their puppies out in public until they're fully vaccinated for fear how the puppy might catch disease. But times have changed and veterinary behaviorists now recommend that you get puppy out and socialize him as soon as he's completed his first round of shots. The risk of life-long behavioral consequences of not socializing a puppy prior to 16 weeks by far outweighs the small risk that puppy may catch something contagious. Behavioral problems are the number one reason dogs are euthanized within this country. And many of those problems would not have presented within the dog if he was properly socialized in puppyhood. Look at the link at the end of this article to read the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior position statement compared to puppy vaccinations and socialization.

The chances of your puppy contracting a disease are rare but you will want to minimize risks. Only take your puppy into controlled environments until he is fully vaccinated. Facilities that hold puppy is usually sanitized and prepped particularly for puppies. Puppies may also be typically separated from regular dog traffic. Dog parks, dog beaches as well as any other environment where dogs can run free ought to be avoided. Numerous diseases are transferred via infected urine and feces so avoid places where puppy can accidentally tell you pet waste. Pet stores and boutiques are excellent places to socialize your dog but carry him or put him in a cart, not on the ground, until he's fully vaccinated.