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Puppy Training and Puppy Socialization
Puppy training and socialization is one of the most important things you can do from
the first day you bring home your puppy.
Puppy training is not just obedience commands like sit and stay it is much more. You
have the job of teaching your dog about the world you live in. Remember a puppy is
like a baby and they must be taught everything.
There’s one thing that many people do not know about puppies it is that they have a
very short window of opportunity in which they can be socialized to the world around
them. During this time you will build the foundation of how your puppy will behave as
an adult.
If they are not properly socialized during this time they will be fearful of people, other
animals and new environments. You will then have a dog that becomes very stressed
at the sight of new people, dogs, and new places. Stressed dogs can become
aggressive and bite with little provocation.
This short window of opportunity to socialize your dog is between five and sixteen
weeks of age after this time it is much more difficult and less effect. Although sixteen
weeks is the upper end of the time frame for optimum results socialization should not
end at this point. Your dog needs to continue with socialization for the rest of its life
and “practice makes perfect”.
Now that you understand that these first weeks at home are so important how you go
about training and socializing your new puppy. First find a puppy class take allows off
leash play and use positive training methods. If you’re in my area I have a puppy class
that meets every Tuesday at 7:00PM at the Frederick Mennonite Community you can
begin the class any week and then it runs for 5 weeks. Go to the services page for
more information.
However if you are in another area go to The Association of Pet Dog Trainers and you
can search for trainers there. A puppy class is a great way to start your training and
socialization but there is still more you will need to do. During this time you need to
expose your puppy to:
1. Ten new people each week
2. Five friendly dogs a week.
3. Cats or any other animals they might see regularly.
4. Five new environments.
5. Many different household and neighborhood sounds weekly.
6. Take several short car rides per week.
7. Take your dog to your Vet to receive treats biweekly.
8. Walk around your neighborhood weekly.
9. Take your dog to your groomer for treats biweekly.
I know this sounds like a lot of work but it is so important in the development of your
dog. Actually everyone loves a puppy so if you take your dog on some of your errands
you will be surprised at how many people will want to see and pet your dog.
I took my puppy to my local grocery store and asked people to pet my dog because
she was in training, I had no problem getting volunteers. Another place that will usually
welcome dogs is Home Depot or Lowes. I also took my puppy to the ice cream pallor
which had outside sitting and lots of children and adults willing to pet a puppy. As you
see if you’re a little bit creative it can be very easy and fun to socialize your puppy. It
will be worth the effort because you got a puppy to be your companion and a great
companion it will be for the next 10-15 years.
Puppy training and socialization is one of the most important things you can do from
the first day you bring home your puppy.
Puppy training is not just obedience commands like sit and stay it is much more. You
have the job of teaching your dog about the world you live in. Remember a puppy is
like a baby and they must be taught everything.
There’s one thing that many people do not know about puppies it is that they have a
very short window of opportunity in which they can be socialized to the world around
them. During this time you will build the foundation of how your puppy will behave as
an adult.
If they are not properly socialized during this time they will be fearful of people, other
animals and new environments. You will then have a dog that becomes very stressed
at the sight of new people, dogs, and new places. Stressed dogs can become
aggressive and bite with little provocation.
This short window of opportunity to socialize your dog is between five and sixteen
weeks of age after this time it is much more difficult and less effect. Although sixteen
weeks is the upper end of the time frame for optimum results socialization should not
end at this point. Your dog needs to continue with socialization for the rest of its life
and “practice makes perfect”.
Now that you understand that these first weeks at home are so important how you go
about training and socializing your new puppy. First find a puppy class take allows off
leash play and use positive training methods. If you’re in my area I have a puppy class
that meets every Tuesday at 7:00PM at the Frederick Mennonite Community you can
begin the class any week and then it runs for 5 weeks. Go to the services page for
more information.
However if you are in another area go to The Association of Pet Dog Trainers and you
can search for trainers there. A puppy class is a great way to start your training and
socialization but there is still more you will need to do. During this time you need to
expose your puppy to:
1. Ten new people each week
2. Five friendly dogs a week.
3. Cats or any other animals they might see regularly.
4. Five new environments.
5. Many different household and neighborhood sounds weekly.
6. Take several short car rides per week.
7. Take your dog to your Vet to receive treats biweekly.
8. Walk around your neighborhood weekly.
9. Take your dog to your groomer for treats biweekly.
I know this sounds like a lot of work but it is so important in the development of your
dog. Actually everyone loves a puppy so if you take your dog on some of your errands
you will be surprised at how many people will want to see and pet your dog.
I took my puppy to my local grocery store and asked people to pet my dog because
she was in training, I had no problem getting volunteers. Another place that will usually
welcome dogs is Home Depot or Lowes. I also took my puppy to the ice cream pallor
which had outside sitting and lots of children and adults willing to pet a puppy. As you
see if you’re a little bit creative it can be very easy and fun to socialize your puppy. It
will be worth the effort because you got a puppy to be your companion and a great
companion it will be for the next 10-15 years.
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