Do's and Don'ts Puppyhood is the most important and critical time for your dog. What you do and do not
do right now will affect your dog's behavior forever.
Socialization A properly socialized dog is well adjusted and makes a good companion. It is neither
frightened by nor aggressive towards anyone or anything it would normally meet in day to
day living. An unsocialized dog is untrustworthy and an unwanted liability. They often
become fear-biters. They are difficult to train and are generally unpleasant to be around.
Unsocialized dogs cannot adapt to new situations and a simple routine visit to the vet is a
nightmare not only for the dog itself, but for everyone involved. Don't let this happen to
you and your dog. Start socializing your new puppy NOW! The Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine agrees that the socialization period lasts up to about 12
weeks (3 months) of age. However, at 12 weeks, the puppy must continue socialization
to refine its social skills. Socialization most easily occurs before the puppy is 3 months old.
Any later than that and it becomes an excruciatingly difficult and time-consuming process
that very few owners have the time, energy, money or patience to cope with.
DO Make sure that each of the following events are pleasant and non-threatening. If your
puppy's first experience with something is painful and frightening, you will be defeating
your purpose. In fact, you will be creating a phobia that will often last a lifetime. It's better
to go too slow and assure your puppy is not frightened or injured than to rush and force
your pup to meet new things and people.
-Invite friends over to meet your pup. Include men, women, youngsters, oldsters, different
ethnic origins, etc.
-Invite friendly, healthy, vaccinated dogs, puppies and even cats to your home to meet and
play with your new puppy. Take your puppy to the homes of these pets. This usually is
preferable with dog-friendly cats.
-Carry your pup to shopping centers, parks, school playgrounds, etc; places where there
are crowds of people and plenty of activity.
-Take your puppy for short, frequent rides in the car. Stop the car and let your puppy
watch the world go by through the window.
-Introduce your puppy to umbrellas, bags, boxes, the vacuum cleaner, etc. Encourage
your puppy to explore and investigate his environment.
-Get your puppy accustomed to seeing different and unfamiliar objects by creating your
own. Set a chair upside down. Lay the trash can (empty) on its side, set up the ironing
board right-side up one day and upside down the next day.
-Introduce your puppy to new and various sounds. Loud, obnoxious sounds should be
introduced from a distance and gradually brought closer.
-Accustom your puppy to being brushed, bathed, inspected, having its nails clipped, teeth
and ears cleaned and all the routines of grooming and physical examination.
-Introduce your puppy to stairs, his own collar and leash. Introduce anything and
everything you want your puppy to be comfortable with and around.
DON'T -Do not put your puppy on the ground where unknown animals have access. This is where
your puppy can pick up diseases. Wait until your puppy's shots are completed. Do not let
your pup socialize with dogs that you don't know, that may not be vaccinated or who
appear sick.
-Do not reward fearful behavior. In a well meaning attempt to sooth, encourage or calm
the puppy when it appears frightened, we often unintentionally reward the behavior. It's
normal for the puppy to show some signs of apprehension when confronting anything new
and different.
-Do not allow the experience to be harmful, painful or excessively frightening. This can
cause lifetime phobias in your dog.
-Do not force or rush your puppy. Let your puppy take things at his own pace. Your job is
to provide the opportunity.
-Do not do too much at one time. Young puppies need alot of sleep and tire quickly. It is
much more productive to have frequent and very brief exposures than occasional
prolonged exposures.
-DO NOT WAIT!! Every day that goes by is an opportunity of a lifetime that is lost
forever. You can never get these days back. If socialization does not happen now, it never
will.