Getting a new puppy is an incredibly exciting experience for any dog lover. However, there is a great deal of work involved to make sure your new friend has the best life possible. Socialization is very important from an early age for all puppies. By following these steps, you’ll be able to ensure your new pet is comfortable around all types of people.
Start from an early age.
When is the best time to start socializing your puppy? Most experts agree that 7 weeks to 4 months is the most integral time. During this time your new friend will go through a stage that makes him incredibly receptive to new places and people. He’ll be curious about everyone and everything and will be very eager to explore.
Introduce your new pup to all types of people.
A common mistake plenty of dog owners make is only introducing their pet to a few people and assuming this is enough. It’s not! Your new buddy needs to meet countless different people to build his confidence.
Even if he’s used to you and your family, he’s probably going to be surprised by strangers until he gets out in the world and meets enough different people. Just make sure they’re fond of dogs before you bring him over!
Where should you take your friend to meet people?
Luckily there are countless places you can take your new buddy to make new friends. The best example is a dog park because you know everyone hanging out there likes dogs. This gives him a chance to say hi to new people in a controlled environment as well as meet new dogs to play with.
You can also socialize your new pup at the city park, while going for walks or hiking, at a family party, or anywhere you might meet a lot of people who like dogs.
Why is it so important to socialize from an early age?
If you want to take great care of your new friend, proper socialization is integral. If you miss the “learning window” between 7 weeks to 4 months, your pup may miss out on a great opportunity for socialization that he’ll never have again.
Dogs that haven’t been socialized have a much greater chance of getting into risky situations such as fighting with other dogs or responding negatively to people. By socializing your pet from an early age, you could avoid dangerous situations like him biting someone down the line. But most importantly, you’ll increase his overall happiness and enjoyment of the world.
Building confidence is key.
We know you care about your new friend very much and want to give him the best, longest life possible. By building his confidence and getting him very comfortable with the world, you’ll greatly increase his quality of life. And when he’s happy you’re happy.
Everything will be a lot more enjoyable when your pup is properly socialized. You won’t have to worry about him running after people on walks, you’ll know that he’ll get home safely if he accidentally escapes, and you’ll know he’s having the most fun he can possibly have when you take him out into the world.
A confident pup is a happy pup!
Properly socializing your pup might seem daunting at first, but it’s worth the effort. And you get the best reward of all – A friend who lives a long, happy life and loves you more than anything. By socializing your pup you’ll not only help him. You’ll help yourself grow as a person.
