Puppy Socialization - Home Dog Training In Phoenix, Arizona

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The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recently published an article on socializing your
puppy. Their opinions on puppy socialization are the closest we've seen to the opinion of most dog
trainers. Puppy socialization is a difficult topic because nobody wants to put a puppy at risk for disease,
but there are many adverse behaviors that can develop in a dog due to a lack of socialization. If you
have a new puppy, please read the article below and give us a call if you have any questions.

"Thanks for the timely follow
up. I was going to write last
night to tell you that Dudley and
I had two of the best walks
yesterday. They were in fact
the best walks I have ever had
with a dog companion. Dudley
was well mannered and
focused the entire time. He
responded well to "heel" and
we worked on his "sit " when I
stopped. We need more work
on that!"

Cindy
Goodyear, Arizona

The AVSAB Position Statement On Puppy Socialization

"The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life (1, 2). During this time
puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments
as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as
excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it
should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such
socialization before they are fully vaccinated.

Because the first three months are the period when sociability outweighs
fear, this is the primary window of opportunity for puppies to adapt to new
people, animals, and experiences. Incomplete or improper socialization
during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems
later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Behavioral
problems are the greatest threat to the owner-dog bond. In fact,
behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to
shelters (3). Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number
one cause of death for dogs under three years of age.

While puppies’ immune systems are still developing during these early
months, the combination of maternal immunity, primary vaccination, and
appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to
the chance of death from a behavior problem. Veterinarians specializing in
behavior recommend that owners take advantage of every safe opportunity
to expose young puppies to the great variety of stimuli that they will
experience in their lives. Enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months
of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the
human-animal bond, and socializing puppies in an environment where risk
of illness can be minimized."

"For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes
that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such
socialization before they are fully vaccinated."

The Process of Socialization:

"Puppies should be handled from birth, learning to accept manipulation of all body parts. Every effort should be made to
expose them to as many different people, well-socialized animals, situations, places, etc. as possible. Puppies should
be encouraged to explore, investigate, and manipulate their environments. Interactive toys and games, a variety of
surfaces, tunnels, steps, chutes, and other stimuli can enrich the puppy’s environment. Puppies should accompany
their breeders/owners on as many car trips as possible. These exposures should continue into adulthood to maintain
an outgoing and sociable dog.

Puppy socialization classes can offer a safe and organized means of socializing puppies and more quickly improve
their responsiveness to commands (4). Each puppy should have up-to-date vaccinations and be disease and parasite
free before entering the class. Where possible, classes should be held on surfaces that are easily cleaned and
disinfected (e.g. indoor environments). Visits to dog parks or other areas that are not sanitized and/or are highly
trafficked by dogs of unknown vaccination or disease status should be avoided.

Classes and at-home training should be based on positive reinforcement
with frequent rewards praise, petting, play and/or treats. Positive and
consistent training is associated with fewer behavioral problems and
greater obedience than methods that involve punishment and/or
encourage human dominance (4,5,6).

Time must be scheduled for puppies to play alone with
their favorite toys (such as stuffed food toys) or take
naps in safe places such as crates or puppy pens. This
teaches puppies to amuse themselves, and may help to
prevent problems of over attachment to the owners.
Continuing to offer dogs a wide variety of experiences
during their first year of life is also helpful in preventing
separation-related behavior.

Proper confinement training using pens or crates helps to ensure
that puppies have safe and secure places for rest and confinement.
Puppies that are used to being crated will be less stressed if they
must be hospitalized or be confined for travel by plane or car. Crates
should serve as comfort or play areas.

Early and adequate socialization and programs of positive training can
go a long way to preventing behavior problems and improving bonding
between humans and dogs. While the first three months is the most important
socialization period in a puppy’s life, owners of puppies that have passed this
milestone are strongly encouraged to continue to socialize their puppies to
as many people, pets, and locations as is practical. However, owners of
puppies displaying fear should seek veterinary guidance."

"In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as
7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines
at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be
kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class."

References:

1. Serpell J, Jagoe JA. Early experience and the development of behaviour. In Serpell J (ed). The Domestic Dog,
p.82-102, Cambridge University Press 1995
2. Freedman DG, King JA, Elliot O. 1961. Critical periods in the social development of the dog. Science, 133, 1016-1017
3. Miller DM, Stats SR, Partlo BS, et al. Factors associated with the decision to surrender a pet to an animal shelter. J
Am Vet Med Assoc 1996;209:738- 742
4. Duxbury MM, Jackson JA, Line SW, Anderson RK. Evaluation of association between retention in the home and
attendance at puppy socialization classes. JAVMA, 223 (1), 2003, 61-66
5. Eskeland GE, Tillung RH, Bakken M. The effect of punishment, rewards, control and attitude in obedience and
problem behaviors in dogs. Proceedings IVBM 2007;103-104.
6. Hilby EF, Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS. Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour
and welfare. Animal Welfare 2004;13: 63-69.
7. Bradshaw JW, McPherson JA, Casey RA, Larter LS. Aetiology of separation-related behavior in domestic dogs. Vet
Record 2002;191:43-46.

"I just wanted to send you an
update on how Audi is doing.
She's fabulous and we're on
our second foster dog. I think
it's really helping her deal with
distraction and still listen to us
at the same time because I've
noticed a HUGE improvement!
We've been working with long
distance recall and she's
getting much better at coming
to us when called but there is
still more work to be had.
Everyone comments on how
she looks to us for 'permission'
before she does something
and they all think it's really
cool. I'm like 'yeah, I know,
she's my girl!' "