Puppy socialisation can be a difficult road to navigate and there can be more to it than people first think. Here are the answers to 5 questions that are most often asked along with some top tips to help you and your puppy...

1. Start simple: Dont complicate things on the first week. Start with simple things like handling exercises and equipment introductions in a low level positive way. You might start with gentle strokes and progress to grooming.

2. Breeder consideration: Research and choose a breeder that has implemented and shown you a clear plan of socialisation from the age of at least 4 weeks.

3. Positive associations need only apply: Provide positive and rewarding experiences that your puppy will enjoy. Socialisation is hinged on this so carry food, think of the type of praise and play you might use.

4. Puppy cues and canine body language: If your puppy is showing signs of worry, fear or anxiety in the face of a type of novelty or exposure calmly lead them away to a place where they seem relaxed and happy again.

5. Take your time: If you have to remove your puppy because they were worried, try again with the experience later on. Build up gradually by keeping them further away the next time so not to overwhelm them. This could around traffic for example where you might just expose them to sounds on YouTube for one day, the smells and distant noise of passing traffic the next.

6. Quality not quantity: Try not to introduce too many new things at once and in just one sitting, day or week. You’re looking for short and positive hits to repeat.

7. Variety is the spice of life: These positive hits should include a variety of smells, noises, people and places or events such as positive alone time. It's not a race (point 5), but keep it mixed up.

8. Build up expectations: It’s easy to create undesirable behaviours at this stage especially around people and dogs. Keep things positive but change up the expectation – not all dogs should be met and not all people predict tasty food and cuddles.

9. Vaccinations: It’s important that your puppy is safe so carry and hold, or manage the environment suitably until they’ve completed a full course of vaccinations.

10. Puppy classes: Ensure the class you pick is being delivered by an accredited ABTC trainer or behaviourist (like me ?!). A well structured and correctly organised class will give your puppy chance to meet and greet other suitable dogs, puppies, people and environments safely.

References

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Bradshaw, J. Normal feline behaviour: . . . and why problem behaviours develop. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2018, 20, 411–421.

Boivin, X., Boissy, A., Nowak, R., Henry, C., Tournadre, H. and Le Neindre, P., 2002. Maternal presence limits the effects of early bottle feeding and petting on lambs’ socialisation to the stockperson. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 77(4), pp.311-328.

Bateson, P., 1979. How do sensitive periods arise and what are they for?. Animal Behaviour, 27, pp.470-486.

Coppinger, R. and Coppinger, L., 2001. Dogs: A startling new understanding of canine origin, behavior & evolution. Simon and Schuster.

Puurunen, J.; Hakanen, E.; Salonen, M.K.; Mikkola, S.; Sulkama, S.; Araujo, C.; Lohi, H. Inadequate socialisation, inactivity, and urban living environment are associated with social fearfulness in pet dogs. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10, 3527.

Morrow, M., Ottobre, J., Ottobre, A., Neville, P., St-Pierre, N., Dreschel, N. and Pate, J.L., 2015. Breed-dependent differences in the onset of fear-related avoidance behaviour in puppies. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 10(4), pp.286-294.).