Puppy Socialization, Raleigh NC
When your puppy first comes home, his mind is an empty slate. He knows nothing about the world except that which you show him. Puppies aren't born understanding the world around them, what visitors are, what objects including worms or leaves are, how to cope with people, cars, other pets or noises. They are things you must expose puppy to, ensuring that he has positive experiences with every exploration. All the sights and sounds we ignore in our world are novel with a puppy...he's not witnessed any of it! Introducing him to all or any of these things in the environment is no small task however it is the most important thing you'll ever do for your puppy. patio enclosures raleigh nc
Puppies need to be socialized between 4 and 16 weeks of aging. A puppy's brain is most accepting of new experiences between 4 and 12 weeks of age making this the critical period for socialization. Inside the following 4 weeks, the socialization window begins to close. If socialization doesn't start until next period, the puppy will probably be socially handicapped. After four months of age, when the socialization window closes, it's a lot more difficult to influence a puppy's opinion and attitude. Needless to say, the puppy can still learn, but it is infinitely harder as the puppy has to unlearn inappropriate responses for example fear or reactivity. For instance, if a puppy is not exposed to crowds prior to four months of age, he might be so paralyzed with concern with the sights and sounds that crowds make, it could be impossible, or at best, uncomfortable for him to cope in this situation. If the puppy is subjected to crowds prior to 4 months of age and introduced inside a positive way, he will accept crowds as "normal in his environment" and not be reactive or nervous about it. The key is to ensure your puppy gets subjected to everything he may be exposed to during his lifetime, as they is very young. Introducing puppy to new stimuli and experiences is crucial to having a well-adjusted and behaviorally healthy adult dog.
Prevention is much better than rehabilitation! An adequately socialized puppy is well adjusted and makes a good companion. It is neither frightened by nor aggressive towards anyone or anything he would normally meet in day-to-day living. An un-socialized dog is a liability. Typical behaviors of an unsocialized dog include fear and stress disorders, fear biting and fearful aggression. Unsocialized dogs cannot adjust to new situations and a straightforward walk around the neighborhood can panic your dog creating hiding behaviors, pulling around the leash to get away from the "scary thing" or offensive aggression (lunging on leash, biting or acting like Cujo to scare the frightening thing away). Don't allow this happen to your dog. Start socializing your new puppy NOW!
Vaccinations and exposure risks
Enrolling your pup in a puppy socialization class is ideal and is typically safe. This is a wonderful opportunity to get a puppy out of the house frequently and expose him to new situations and experiences. sunrooms raleigh nc
Individuals are sometimes warned never to take their puppies outside in public until they are fully vaccinated for fear the puppy might catch disease. But times have changed and veterinary behaviorists now advise that you get puppy out and socialize him when he's completed his first round of shots. The risk of life-long behavioral consequences of not socializing a puppy ahead of 16 weeks by far outweighs the small risk that puppy may catch something contagious. Behavioral problems are the number one reason dogs are euthanized within this country. And many of these problems would not have presented in the dog if he was properly socialized in puppyhood. Go to the link at the end of this short article to read the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior position statement in accordance with puppy vaccinations and socialization.
The chances of your puppy contracting a disease are rare but you do want to minimize risks. Only take your puppy into controlled environments until he is fully vaccinated. Facilities that hold puppy classes are usually sanitized and prepped specifically for puppies. Puppies will also be typically separated from regular dog traffic. Dog parks, dog beaches as well as any other environment where dogs can run free should be avoided. Numerous diseases are transferred via infected urine and feces so avoid places where puppy can accidentally run through pet waste. Pet stores and boutiques are excellent places to socialize your pup but carry him or put him in a cart, not on the ground, until he's fully vaccinated.
