Puppy Socialisation

So you know you’re supposed to socialise your new puppy but you just don’t have time in your schedule for a puppy class. Don’t worry; by following a few simple rules, you can keep your puppy safe while making sure they experiences they need to become a well-adjusted member of your family.

First, get your treat bag on! Purchase or make a treat pouch and get in the habit of wearing it everywhere. Every morning when you measure your puppy’s breakfast kibble, put most of it in a bowl or foraging toy and put a portion of it in your pouch to use during the day. When you take your puppy places or plan to expose them to things that may be scary, add some special treats to the bag such as tiny pieces of boiled chicken, string cheese, or soft, chewy, commercial dog treats.

Second, take your puppy with you everywhere that you safely can. Avoid allowing your puppy to walk in areas where dog of unknown health status may have traveled, so no pet stores or dog parks!

Do take your puppy through the drive-thru at the bank or fast food restaurant and allow him to see you talking to and interacting with people outside your car.

Do take your puppy to visit friends and family members, especially if they have well-behaved, well-vaccinated dogs, other species of animals, and family members of all ages and types.

Third, reinforce your puppy with a piece of kibble or other tasty treat every time they experience something new and shows any interest at all. If your puppy acts concerned or startled when experiencing something new, don’t force them to explore further; just be patient and wait. You can toss treats closer to the object or person so that they are reinforced for being brave. It is important that it be the puppy’s choice to investigate!

When meeting unfamiliar people, stop and give your pup a treat. If they show an interest in approaching the new person, allow your pup to approach (you can tell the puppy “Go say hello”) and allow the person to give your puppy another lower-value treat. This teaches your puppy to associate good things with meeting new people while also helping to teach some self-control.

Do praise your puppy, but never scold regardless of how your puppy is acting. Scolding is never helpful if your puppy is afraid, and increases the chance of making your puppy afraid of you! If you feel a puppy's behaviour is inappropriate (your puppy is overly excited and ignoring you, or is fearful and distressed), remove them from the situation quickly but calmly and use a happy, upbeat tone of voice to try to distract them or draw their attention back to you.

Fourth, keep these same ideas in mind at home and think about giving your puppy the opportunity to experience new things in a very careful and considerate way.

For example, when it is time to vacuum, don’t just begin vacuuming around the puppy while they are confined to their crate and expect them to get used to it! First bring out the vacuum cleaner and, without turning it on, allow your puppy to explore at their own pace and eat treats that you slowly toss closer and closer to the vacuum cleaner. When you first turn it on, turn it on at the lowest setting with your puppy across the room, to keep from scaring them. Taking it slow and associating the big scary machine with yummy treats is the best way to teach your puppy there is nothing to fear. If you don’t have time to do this, place your puppy in a safe place out of hearing or visual range of the vacuum while you clean the house until you do have time to make this experience a positive one.

Expose your puppy to other household appliances, different flooring, gadgets, machinery, bicycles, umbrellas, and anything you can think of in this same careful way. The more positive experiences your puppy has during the first 4 months of life, with the greatest variety of people, places, and things, the greater the chances that your puppy will grow into a dog with fewer signs of fear and anxiety when confronted with novel situations.

Fifth, place an Adaptil Junior collar on your pup and replace it every thirty days for at least the first three months. Adaptil Junior, a collar made just for puppies, is impregnated with dog appeasing pheromone, a pheromone that mother dogs produce during the time that they are nursing their puppies.(1)

In one study, half the puppies attending puppy classes wore an Adaptil collar and the other half wore a placebo collar. At 1, 3 and 6 months later, the puppies who had worn Adaptil collars demonstrated signs of being better socialised than the puppies who wore placebo collars. They showed fewer signs of fear or anxiety when exposed to unfamiliar people, novel objects, and other situations that often result in fear in poorly socialised dogs.(2) Wearing an Adaptil collar may help puppies develop into adult dogs who are better adapted to day to day life in a typical busy human household.

References

(1) Pageat P, Gaultier E. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2003: 33;187-211.

(2) Denenberg S, Landsberg GM. Effects of dog appeasing pheromone on anxiety and fear in puppies during training and on long term socialization. JAVMA 2008: 233;12.

This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.