Socializing Your Doodle
SOCIALIZING YOUR DOODLE
Socialization is the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.
WHY IS SOCIALIZATION IMPORTANT?
Did you know, that socialization is one of the most important things you can do with your new puppy? When you think of the word “socialization” the first thing that probably comes to mind is getting them used to meeting and being around other dogs and people, but it is actually much more than that! It is also about teaching them that the world is a safe place and that new experiences, places, sights, and sounds don’t have to be scary. Socializing your puppy should always be a positive experience for your puppy.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SOCIALIZE YOUR DOODLE PUPPY?
Right away! The most critical socialization period for a puppy is from weeks 3-16. This means that you should begin socializing your puppy right away. The more new, sights, sounds, smells, and experiences they have - the better. However, don’t forget that your puppy is not fully vaccinated until they are 16 weeks old meaning you will need to be careful about how and where you do socialize your new pup. One way is by keeping all four off the floor! This means that while you can (and should) take your pup to parks, stores, etc - you should not allow them to walk on the ground of unknown places where unknown dogs may have been.
Wait a minute, you said weeks 3-8, but I don’t get my puppy until he/she is 8 weeks! Yep, that’s right. Socialization should actually begin before your puppy goes home which is why it is so important to choose the right breeder because anyone can say that their puppies are “socialized” or “family raised”, but how exactly are they raised?
HOW WE SOCIALIZE OUR PUPPIES
At Doodles of Oz, we start by doing ENS (early neurological stimulation) and ESI (early scent stimulation) from 3-16 days old. These exercises help puppies have a higher stress tolerance, greater resistance to disease, increased cardiovascular strength, and more!
From weeks 3-8 we continue to socialize our puppies.
We handle them daily and allow others to do the same, touch all over (face, mouth, paws, etc), gently tug ears and tail, rub hand up their back (these help prepare them for grooming appts, vet appts, young children, etc).
We work on sound desensitizing by playing different things on tv as well as different genres of music, introduce them to common household sounds (ie vacuums, doorbells, etc), and by using an app called “Pup School” to play a wide variety of commons sounds such as a baby crying, tractor, storm sounds, trains, planes, sirens, etc.
We also expose our puppies by introducing them to a variety of people. new places (with and without their siblings), other pets, different textures (grass, carpet, grates, etc), car rides, and provide a large selection of toys that are swapped out daily.
HOW DO I SOCIALIZE MY DOODLE PUPPY?
Those first 8 weeks are up and now its your turn to take the reigns and continue socializing your puppy! Remember, just because your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated does not mean that they need to be kept locked inside from the world! They can still go out and about, but remember, keep all four off the floor in areas that have heavy traffic of other dogs. Here are just a few of the many examples of different ways to socialize your puppy!
Let them meet a variety (young, old, tall, short, loud, etc) of new people. You should also introduce them to people wearing glasses, hats, using a walker, in a wheelchair, etc. Aim to have them meet 100 new people by 4 months old.
Take them new places (stores, a friend’s house, vet office, elevator, social gathering, park, etc).
Allow them to observe moving objects (cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers, bikes, wheelchairs, etc)
Sound desensitizing (clapping, baby crying, blender, blow dryer, etc). You can even use your phone or tv to play sounds!
Other animals such as dogs, cats, birds, livestock, etc. Only allow them to meet new dogs that are fully vaccinated and who don’t frequent places where other unknown dogs frequent, such as dog parks.
Continue the handling exercises (gently tug tail and ears, rub back tail to head, cover eyes, touch mouth, etc). All of these things will help prepare them for vet visits, groomers, etc.
Grooming is another big one when owning a doodle. We recommend bathing, brushing, blow drying, nail trimming, etc. Your groomer will love you for it! ;)
