Socialisation is about creating as many varied, positive, safe and enjoyable experiences for your puppy, as early as possible, to build a strong social immunity and to avoid future scary surprises later in life[1].
Here are TOP 5 tips on how to socialise your puppy!
1. Start at a Young Age
Although it is a continuous process, the best period for socialisation is between 3 and 12 weeks of age. It’s when puppies start to gain some independence from their mother, and teeth start to come through. Socialisation will begin at the breeder. When you bring your new puppy home, it’s time to get yourself out and about with them to as many different environments as possible.
2. Expose Them to Different Smells, Sounds and Textures
Dogs have 220 million olfactory receptors – we, humans, have only 5 million! So don’t underestimate the importance of the smells at this point. Allow them different experiences in daylight and nighttime, as well as in diverse weather conditions.
3. Use Treats to Your Benefit
When exposing your puppy to different situations and people, make sure you create positive association by rewarding them. This will help them keep the focus on you and understand that those weird situations might bring good – and tasty – things.
4. Build Trust Between the Two of You
Everything you do with your puppy at this stage should be an investment in your bonding process. Don’t put them in a scary situation too suddenly, and make sure that they’re feeling protected by you: start slowly and always give them the choice to back away. Patience is the key.
5. If Your Dog Seems Fearful, Be Considerate
Increase the distance between them and what is causing fear, and NEVER punish them: that would only confirm to your puppy that they were right to feel scared.
Daycare is a fun and safe way of socialising your puppy. At Dog Tales Club, we offer doggy daycare in a secure and controlled space, with a designated area for puppies under constant supervision.
If you would like to contact us, please feel free to pop us an email at info@dogtalesclub.co.uk or WhatsApp: +44 7365 439488.
[1] This definition and the ideas of this text are based on Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, by Steve Mann. London, 2019.
