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PUPPY SOCIALIZATION

As pet owners how our pets behave can be as important as pet health. Sometimes pet behavior is dictated by pet health, other times pet behavior can be driven by genetics, early development or environmental factors. A pet’s unwanted behavior is most likely a very natural behavior for your pet. Barking dogs, cats urinating outside the litter box and even biting are normal animal behaviors– it’s the circumstances within which the behavior is displayed or occurs, that determines whether or not the behavior is an annoyance or problem for the owner. Sometimes a behavior can be harmful to the pet, like aggressive feather plucking in birds, the preening is a natural behavior, the aggressive plucking may be a response to lack of foraging – a natural behavior not expressed in captivity.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUPPY SOCIALIZATION

From the American Veterinary
Society of Animal Behavior

According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior the number one cause of pet relinquishment to shelters is behavioral problems, the number one cause of death for dogs less than three years of age is behavioral problems. Behavioral problems are the greatest threat to the owner – pet bond. The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as possible. Because of this the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that the standard of care for puppies should be to receive socialization before they are fully vaccinated.

Because the first three months are the period when sociability outweighs fear, this is the primary window of opportunity for puppies to adapt to new people, animals and experiences. Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance or aggression. While puppies’ immune systems are still developing during these early months, the combination of maternal immunity, primary vaccination and appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to the chance of death from a behavior problem.
Owners should take advantage of every safe opportunity to expose young puppies to the great variety of stimuli that they will experience in their lives. Enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the human – animal bond and socializing puppies in an environment where risk of illness can be minimized.

In general, puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first de-worming. They should be kept up – to – date on vaccines throughout the class.

THE PROCESS OF PUPPY SOCIALIZATION

AVSAB Position statement on Puppy Socialization,
Press Release 7/28/2008

Puppies should be handled from birth, learning to accept manipulation of all body parts. Every effort should be made to expose them to as many different people, well-socialized animals, situations, places, etc as possible. Puppies should be encouraged to explore, investigate and manipulate their environments without causing overstimulation. Overstimulation can manifest as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behaviors. Interactive toys and games, a variety of surfaces, tunnels, steps, chutes and other stimuli can enrich the puppy’s environment.

Puppies should accompany their breeders/owners on as many car trips as possible. These exposures should continue into adulthood to maintain an outgoing and sociable dog. Puppy socialization classes can offer a safe and organized means of socializing puppies and more quickly improve their responsiveness to commands. Each puppy should have up-to-date vaccinations and be parasite free before entering the class. Where possible, classes should be held on surfaces that are easily cleaned and disinfected. Visits to dog parks or other areas that are not sanitized and/or highly trafficked by dogs of unknown vaccination or disease status should be avoided.

Classes and at-home training should be based on positive reinforcement with frequent rewards; praise, petting, play and treats. Positive and consistent training is associated with fewer behavioral problems and greater obedience than methods that involve punishment and/or encourage human dominance.

Time must be scheduled for puppies to play alone with their favorite toys or take naps in safe places such as crates or puppy pens. This teaches puppies to amuse themselves, and may help to prevent problems of over attachment to the owners. Continuing to offer dogs a wide variety of experiences during their first year of life is also helpful in preventing separation related behavior.

Listed below are some trainers who work with younger puppies and can help with socialization:

    PRECISION K-9 - www.precisionk-9.com
    JOHN WALTON'S SCHOOL FOR DOGS - www.jwschool4dogs.com
    SIT MEANS SIT - www.SitmeansSit.com