Puppy Playdates and Parties: It's Time to Socialize

In order to ensure that your pup grows up to become a well-adjusted dog, close attention must be paid to proper and safe socialization.  

Providing your pup with opportunities for positive experiences with many different kinds of people, places, sights, sounds, everyday events and objects determines how your dog will develop.  

It is so important to address socialization needs during the critical developmental period between seven and 16 weeks that it often plays a greater role in your dog’s temperament than does the breed itself.  A well-socialized dog will happily accept change, adapt well to different places, sights, sounds and new people, and it will interact appropriately with other animals. Puppy socialization prepares your puppy for the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Failure to implement proper socialization opportunities can lead to a future filled with behavior problems. A dog that is isolated during the first year, but especially during this developmental period, can develop aggressive behaviors, such as biting out of fear. It may also become so shy, timid and lack the confidence required to adjust to new people or situations, making it nearly impossible to take it with you anywhere.   

However, the need to socialize your puppy must be balanced with the need to avoid infectious diseases. This is a controversial topic. According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), “Behavior, not infectious disease, is the leading cause of death among dogs in the United States.”

Because of the evidence that early socialization can prevent serious canine problems such as fear, avoidance, and aggression, in 2008 the AVSAB issued a position statement calling for puppies to be socialized in the first 12 weeks, even before completing all their preventive vaccinations.

Your approach to socialization should involve an active attempt to provide your puppy with positive exposure to the various experiences it will encounter during its life. The first goal is to ensure that your pup is comfortable around a variety of different people. Ideally, you should have as many different people meet and greet your puppy during its first month with you. There are a number of ways to do this. You can have a “new puppy welcome party” where your pup can meet several different people a once, or you can invite different people over at different times.  

You can also take your pup to a public location and, while holding your puppy, allow different people to say hello and give your dog a small treat. Your puppy should be comfortable with people of different ethnicities, the elderly, children, people wearing uniforms, people wearing hats or sunglasses, men with a beard or mustache, and people with handicaps. Teach your puppy to enjoy being held, hugged, or handled by others as well.

A great way to help your pup interact safely with other dogs is through puppy socialization classes. Puppy socialization classes are offered now at many veterinary practices and training facilities. This is a great opportunity to help your puppy gain experience with different dogs of varying size and temperament. Ensure that all attending pups have proof of vaccinations and that the facility is properly cleaned and sterilized after each class.  

To further your pup’s experiences with other dogs, you can schedule playdates with other vaccinated puppies or invite a friend to bring his or her dog over to your home. Again, be sure that all dogs your puppy encounters are up to date on their vaccinations and have a good temperament.

Take time to incorporate your puppy into your everyday life. Go through grooming and handling exercises by gently touching your pup from head to toe, allowing it to become comfortable being held and examined. Allow your puppy to accompany you on short car rides to acclimate it to the movement and sounds of the car, and, under supervision, allow your puppy to explore your home and get accustomed to standard routines such as vacuuming, dusting, dishwasher and the garbage disposal.

When your pup finishes up the final series of shots, bring him or her with you on various outings. There are some fantastic places in Seal Beach, Rossmoor, and Los Alamitos where you can hold your puppy safely while providing it with ample opportunity to see different sights, sounds, and people.

While the prime window of socialization occurs between seven and 12 weeks, it never closes. Continue to take your dog out of your home and be a part of your life on a regular basis … it is why you got your puppy in the first place, right?