Puppy socialization is crucial in helping puppies grow into well-behaved, happy, and healthy dogs. It involves exposing puppies to various people, animals, environments, and experiences, ensuring they are confident, friendly, and comfortable in a wide range of circumstances, making them easier to train and enjoy as pets. Early socialization reduces the risk of fear, aggression, and anxiety as dogs grow. These problems not only affect their quality of life but can also result in tragic outcomes if not addressed early. Many people are unaware that behaviour problems are the leading cause of death for dogs under three years old.
While some people still believe that socialization should begin after a puppy has completed its vaccination course, this is too late. Research shows that the critical window for socialization is during the first 3 to 14 weeks of life. At this stage, puppies are more receptive to new experiences. Good breeders will already have started the socialization process with gentle handling of puppies and exposure to family members, pets and various household activities. We recommend that once you bring your puppy home you start taking them out 1-2 weeks after the first vaccination they received with the breeder. While there is little risk of exposing them to infectious diseases like parvovirus on the Sunshine Coast, high risk areas like dog parks should be avoided.
At Chancellor Park Veterinary Surgery we have puppy preschool classes run on a Sunday by an experienced behavioural trainer, Sam Martin, of Get Smart Dog Training. These classes offer an excellent opportunity for socialization of puppies.
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