Four Reasons To Socialize Your Puppy

Taking care of a new puppy can be intimidating. Puppies are like babies that you want to protect fully. However, sheltering a pup for their safety may lead to aggression later on. There is a window from 8-16 weeks old when they form their behaviors around what they deem as acceptable and normal. At the 16-week mark, their behaviors start to lock in, making it harder to correct them. Socializing your puppy during this time frame is one of the best things you can do for it.

Here are four reasons to socialize your puppy:

1) Your Puppy Will Be Accustomed To People

Introducing the new member of your family to different people is important because they will encounter many types of people throughout their lives. Exposing your pup to only one kind of person when they’re young can close them off to others. This can cause them to be scared or act aggressively toward people they’ve never been around. If your pup hasn’t completed his or her vaccinations yet, bringing people to your house is a great way to introduce them to others. If they start acting up or show signs of stress from being overwhelmed, you can have the people leave to help calm your pup. Introducing the puppy out of home is a little trickier, especially when dealing with people you don’t personally know. It’s impossible to gauge how strangers will interact with your puppy. Make sure to keep an eye on your puppy’s interactions with people as well as their body language to avoid stressing them out too much.

2) Exposure To Other Animals Is Critical

To play nice with other animals, puppies need practice! When it comes to socializing a puppy with other dogs, make sure the other dog is not aggressive and is vaccinated. Your puppy won’t know any better and will most likely be all over the dog. Puppy Kindergarten may be another option worth looking into. Some places will provide a free-for-all play setting. However, this can lead to aggressive play and bullying late on. A controlled environment for the pups to play in is the most beneficial for your little one. Lastly, dog parks are a big no for puppies. Dog parks attract under-socialized dogs and you never know if other dogs are vaccinated.

3) They Will Be Used To Different Environments

There are many sights and sounds for your puppy to indulge in! Preparing your pup for the variety of environments they encounter is important for their comfort and happiness. You can start by taking them on car rides! At first, they may seem nervous, but over time they’ll feel more comfortable. The same goes for parks and other outdoor areas. If your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated, bring a large blanket outdoors and allow them to experience the world safely from the blanket. If you live in a city or plan to visit one, make sure to expose your puppy to buildings and sidewalks. Other places you should acclimate your pup to include the vet office, groomers, and pet stores.

4) Your Puppy Will Be Handleable

Making sure your pup is comfortable with different areas is one thing, but you can’t forget that they’ll be handled in many ways by different people. Your puppy will need to be groomed, checked out by their veterinarian, handled by pet sitters or dog walkers, and more. Practicing the handling during their peak window of learning will reduce the chances of them snapping on someone because they’re afraid or uncomfortable. The more you treat your puppy as if they’re at the groomers, vets, and elsewhere, the more they’ll be used to the sensations they’ll experience throughout their lifetime. This will lead to decreased stress and anxiety for your pup.  

Socializing your puppy will lead to a well-behaved dog. It will also increase your pup’s happiness while preventing stress or aggression as a teen or adult dog. They’ll be able to meet all kinds of people and animals, and go to many different places without you having to worry about their behavior or stress levels. Give your pup an opportunity to live its best life by socializing them properly early on!