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Puppy Socialization and Training
What is puppy socialization?
Puppy socialization is the process of exposing a puppy to novel stimuli during the critical socialization period from 3-13 weeks, in a way that builds positive associations with all of the things a dog will encounter in their everyday lives. During this critical time period, a puppy's brain is learning what is normal and if they do not have many positive exposures to a variety of people, places, animals, and experiences during this time, they are more likely to be fearful, avoidant, suspicious, or aggressive towards new things as adult dogs. If you want your puppy to be a confident, cooperative, and well behaved adult dog, attending a puppy socialization class with a knowledgeable trainer is the best way to do that!
Are puppy classes safe?
Welcoming a new puppy into your life is a special time, and many owners, rightly so, want to protect their new addition and are concerned about the risk of disease. While it’s important to be vigilant and use best practices to prevent disease, it’s also important to understand the very real risks from inadequate or improper socialization, which include fear, anxiety, phobias, avoidance, reactivity, aggression, and behavioral euthanasia. In their position statement on puppy socialization, The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior concludes that “Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age” and that “...it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated". When considering what kinds of activities are safe for a young puppy, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian for guidance. We also invite you to read about our disease prevention practices and reach out with any questions!
