11/22/2024
🐾 Socializing Your Puppy: It's More Than Just Saying Hello! 🐾
Did you know that properly socializing your puppy doesn’t mean letting them meet every person and dog they encounter? While meeting new people and dogs is part of the process, true socialization goes much deeper.
✨ What does real socialization look like?
It’s about exposing your puppy to a variety of new sights, sounds, smells, and textures in a positive and controlled way. This helps them grow into a confident, well-rounded adult dog.
Here are some ideas for proper socialization:
✅ Walking on different surfaces like grass, gravel, tile, and sand.
✅ Hearing sounds like doorbells, vacuums, or cars passing by.
✅ Experiencing different environments like parks, city streets, or quiet woods.
✅ Watching people with hats, sunglasses, or carrying umbrellas (without forcing interaction).
✅ Seeing other dogs calmly from a distance to learn how to observe without reacting.
🐶 Why does this matter?
Throwing your puppy into overwhelming situations—like crowded dog parks or chaotic gatherings—can create fear or overexcitement. Instead, focus on building their confidence by introducing them to new experiences at their pace.
Proper socialization lays the foundation for a happy, balanced life. Let's set our puppies up for success! 💕
Have questions about socializing your puppy? Drop them in the comments or DM us—we're here to help! 🐾
Looking at current position statements from organizations like AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior), who are the leaders on veterinary care and behavior, they are abundantly clear that the outdated belief of avoiding socialization until vaccines are completed has no place in current standards. This is relevant because in many cases this fear of strangers or a particular group of people, results from lack of socialization during this critical period and can have lifelong impacts into adulthood.