It’s something special when you bring in a new puppy into your home. Along with the joy comes the responsibility and commitment of taking care of your new furry pal, the new member of your family. And among the most important things to do as you welcome them into your family and home is — Socialization. Introducing your puppy to a variety of people, animals, places, and experiences at a young age can help them grow up as confident, happy, and well-behaved adult dogs.
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Content:
- When Can Puppies Be Around Other Dogs
- Can Puppies Be Around Other Dogs
- When Can A Puppy Be Around Other Dogs
- Signs of a Poorly Socialized Dog
- Puppy Socialization Checklist
- Can I Carry My Puppy Outside Before Vaccination
- FAQs
- Conclusion
When Can Puppies Be Around Other Dogs
Socializing your puppy is best to be started from week 3 til 4 months of age, the prime being the first 3 months. According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), the first three months is when a puppy’s sociability dominates their fear, making it an opportune time for socialization. During this time, puppies have more chances to gain new experiences without being too fearful.
Can Puppies Be Around Other Dogs
Pet parents may have reservations about exposing their puppy to adult dogs too early. However, waiting too long can cause problems down the line, especially when pets will be added in the household in the future. There are some vets that advise pet owners to wait till after a puppy finishes all vaccines, but that can reach upto 4 months. Note that time is faster when it comes to our furry pals, so the opportunity for them to learn socialization may be missed when waiting too long.
When Can A Puppy Be Around Other Dogs
For puppies to learn how to socialize, letting them play with other dogs would help a lot. Make sure, however, that the other dogs that they interact with have been vaccinated. But when can you start letting your puppy meet other dogs? The answer is as soon as they’ve been weaned, usually starting at 3 weeks. In fact, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) believes that puppies who are socialized before being fully vaccinated should be the standard of care for puppies.
If you have other dogs in the same household, ensure that their vaccinations are updated. That way, your puppy can enjoy socializing and playing with them. At the same time, they get to guide your puppy as to how things work. On the other hand, if your puppy is your only pet, consider playdates with family or friends’ dogs who have been fully vaccinated, and those dogs that you know are good with other animals. Playdates are recommended in secure spaces such as your home or theirs. Do note that some dogs can be territorial, so careful monitoring and guidance is important. When with other dogs, keep your puppy on a leash as a safety gear, even when indoors.
Puppies can have loads and loads of energy. Because of this, there’s a possibility of them getting out of the house by accident or running and exploring every nook and cranny of your house. Having a tracker such as Petcube GPS Tracker may come in handy. It has live location tracking, light and sound alerts, virtual fences, among other features. Because puppies are still vulnerable, keeping an eye on them and knowing where they are is essential.
Signs of a Poorly Socialized Dog
When dogs are poorly socialized, they are more likely to have behavioral problems such as aggression, fear, and avoidance down the line, says AVSAB. The fact is, behavioral problems are the greatest threat between the relationship of owners and their dogs. It is even the number one reason why some dogs are relinquished to shelters. Also, it is the number 1 cause of death in dogs under 3 years old.
Because puppies are still in the stage of development, learning, and experiencing new things, it is much more imortant to monitor them. A high quality pet camera like the Petcube Cam comes in handy in monitoring your puppy 24/7. Its features include a 1080p full HD live-streaming video, 110-degree wide angle view, and 8x zoom for the details. That way, you’ll be able to detect if your puppy is behaving out of the ordinary, or if they’re exhibiting any symptoms of possible sickness.
Puppy Socialization Checklist
Below are puppy socialization classes to help you take note of your puppy’s behavior.
People
Animals
Puppy Handling
Noises
House
Places
Transportation
Privacy
Can I Carry My Puppy Outside Before Vaccination
“I took my puppy outside before vaccinations. Is that safe?” Technically you can carry your puppy outside even if they haven’t been fully vaccinated yet.
However, it’s better to keep them in secure spaces first where you control who they get to interact with and what they may encounter until they have been fully vaccinated to avoid exposure to disease.
All puppies can get into accidents and emergencies. But because puppies are more vulnerable, the risk is higher for such circumstances to happen. Securing your pet with an insurance or insurance alternative such as Petcube’s Pet Emergency Fund assures you that your pet will be treated and given the care that they need in times of emergency. At the same time, you get to focus on your pet’s treatment rather than worrying about paying the bills. Pets are accepted regardless of age, breed, and medical history. And every year, you get $3000 for pet emergencies of upto 6 pets. A 24/7 online vet service is also accessible in every subscription of the Pet Emergency Fund.
FAQs
Is it too late to socialize my dog?
While the earlier the better when it comes to socialization in dogs, it’s never too late to begin.
How to socialize a dog who is afraid of other dogs?
If your puppy is afraid of other dogs, don’t force her if she is showing signs of discomfort. Instead, slowly introduce new experiences to prevent your puppy from getting too overwhelmed.
Conclusion
Socialization is an important part of developing a dog’s behavior. The earlier they are able to socialize, the better chances of them being confident and well-behaved.
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