Dear Inquisitive Canine,
Q: We are proud parents of a new puppy! Buster is an 11-week-old terrier mix we adopted from a rescue, and we want to do everything we can to give him a better start in life than he’s had so far!
While we’ve had several dogs over the years, we’ve never had a puppy this young before. We know it’s important to “socialize” a puppy, but does that just mean taking him everywhere we go and having lots of people stop by the house? Or is there more to it than that?
— Thanks in advance, Buster’s Humans
A: Dear Buster’s Humans, thank you for being inquisitive. What a great question!
You’re on the right track when it comes to the importance of puppy socialization. Through socialization that consists of positive and pleasant experiences, you’re increasing the likelihood of having an adult dog that is overall more comfortable and confident in our human world.
So, to keep those experiences enjoyable, it’s often better to take a “slow and steady wins the race” approach, versus overdoing it with too many new places or new people in too short a time frame.
Here are some quick tips that new puppy parents can use right away to help teach impressionable puppies that novel experiences equal good times:
- Allow your pup to set the pace as to how quickly he wants to learn about new surroundings, situations, people, other animals and experiences. Life can be scary, so you want to avoid forcing Buster to do something he might not want to do.
- Learn to speak “Doglish” — reading your dog’s body language is important, and listening is even more important! Your puppy will tell you if he is relaxed and happy to do something. He’ll also communicate when he’s wary about something.
- Create a list of social situations you want Buster to be a part of, both as a younger puppy as well as an adult dog. Having a list will help give guidance for the overall plan. Think inside and outside the box, too — and, the more details, the better. For instance, do you often have company? People of all ages and sizes? Is your household filled with children? Or no kids now, but maybe later on? Will you be taking your dog to work? On vacations? Walks in new places? Beaches, parks, and the mountains? City life? Country life now but maybe a big city in a few years? Will your pup need to go potty on soft grass only but maybe someday concrete? These are all things you’d want to consider.
- Create positive associations by pairing experiences and triggers with things your pup already loves, such as treats, petting, snuggles, and feeling safe and happy. For instance, when meeting new people, you can always ask Buster to “Sit” but if he appears a little hesitant, you can either give him a treat for saying hello or have the person toss a small piece of a higher value treat, creating a trail of trust. It’s best to allow your puppy to approach the person, encroaching on their space, versus someone approaching your pup.
- Allow Buster to vote with his paws. If he wants to walk away from a person or situation, allow him. To feel safe and secure, it’s important for Buster to have control over his own behavior and environment.
- Reward your inquisitive canine for being brave when he is taking steps to do and try new things.
The world is a big and wonderful place, with so many places to go, people to meet, and things to sniff, roll in and play with. It’s a veritable smorgasbord out there, especially exciting for puppies that are enthusiastic about doing all sorts of fun things.
Here’s to staying pawsitive and inquisitive as you prepare to navigate puppyhood and beyond!