Puppy Socialisation
The most important period to socialise your puppy is up to 14 weeks when they are at their most receptive to new experiences, puppies that are not well socialised in this period may develop behavioural problems later in life.
Socialisation is split into two areas firstly introducing your puppy to all the beings that you want him to be friendly with (humans, dogs and other animals ) and secondly introducing him to and getting him used to all the sounds, sights, taste, feel and smells of his new world so that he can be part of it without fear or worry.
The primary sense of your new puppy is smell, then hearing, then sight. All of these senses are better than those of humans.
There are no naughty puppies, they are just being normal puppies needing to explore. This means everything will be smelt, go in their mouths, be looked at or listened to. Punishment is pointless (physical or shouting), puppies only see the world in relation to themselves and are not out to annoy you. They just need guidance from you. Praise behaviour you want and ignore what you don’t want (if safe to do so.) If your puppy is doing something you don’t want rather than think “stop doing that” think what would I like him to do. For example if chewing coffee table leg, place him in a puppy pen with a kong.
Your puppy will not be safe to mix with the dog population at large until one week after its last vaccination but you can still socialise your puppy to all human activities and it can mix with dogs in gardens etc where you know the dogs are not ill, are all vaccinated and well mannered. If your puppy is on a lead keep the lead loopy so they can interact properly with other dogs and learn about dog body language. Let your puppy dictate the pace of progress a bold puppy will handle longer experiences than a shy one. Outings need to be good experiences not a stressful challenge. Miramar and Westover vets both offer FREE socialisation puppy groups before your puppy’s vaccinations are effective.
Take your puppy on lots of short outings 10/15 mins is enough two or three times a day (carry in your arms or take own mat with you). Meet as many different types of people as possible ie children, elderly, people on bikes in cars. Get them used to the car. Handle your puppy every day so it gets used to having mouth, ears, feet etc looked at. The best way to ensure a dog obeys you is to make it worth his while by giving him rewards he values highly (food, toy or praise). This will set your puppy up for formal training classes.
Your puppy can attend classes as soon as its vaccinations are effective (1 week after the second injection). The Animal Magic Dog Club Foundation course covers a wide range of situations but by the end of the course your puppy should be able to do the following in different situations:
- Focus on you on command
- Meet and greet people and dogs in a pleasant and relaxed manner
- Come to you when called
- Sit, stand and lie down on command
- Be willing to be groomed, examined and handled by various people
- Cope with changes in circumstances and unusual events
The next puppy courses (held in Bradfield Nr North Walsham) are:
Saturday 12th October 9.30am –10 week course £75.00
Wed 9th Oct 9.30am– 5 week fast track course with only 4 dogs per trainer £60.00.
Contact details Phone Club secretary 01263 720730, E-mail [email protected]
