If you’ve never owned a dog, the idea of adopting a new puppy can be quite daunting. However, if you’re willing to put in the necessary time and effort, socializing your new puppy can be not only manageable but fun!
Your Puppy at Eight to Twelve Weeks Old
Most rescue agencies, shelters, and breeders will start adopting puppies out when the puppies are around three months old. Before they hit three months old, puppies should be with their mothers; they are still fully dependent on them at this point for food, protection, and warmth. However, in some cases, people will acquire new puppies before this crucial milestone for various reasons. If you find yourself taking care of a puppy that is younger than three months old, be sure to work directly with your veterinarian to keep your puppy healthy.
Puppies at this stage are still extremely fragile and are generally fearful of new situations, animals, and people. It’s also important to remember that puppies at this age have not been vaccinated yet for various dangerous health concerns, like parvovirus, kennel cough, rabies, and distemper. Interacting with other animals that have not been vaccinated can be dangerous, and any public place could be full of germs your puppy isn’t ready to handle yet.
Your Puppy at Twelve to Twenty-Four Weeks Old
After three months of age, puppies are naturally becoming more curious and independent. At this stage, it’s important to start introducing your puppy to as many different types of people, animals, and places as you can. Just remember - when introducing puppies to adult dogs to be sure the adult dogs are both friendly and vaccinated. Be sure to introduce your puppy not just to other dogs, but to other types of animals that will tolerate a puppy. Enlist your friends and their pets if you can! Playdates are a great way to teach your puppy how to interact with other dogs properly and safely.
This is also the stage in which your puppy should be familiarized with lots of different types of people, and take them out to stores, parks, and even to your vet to meet the staff and get your puppy used to the vet’s office. It’s also important to make sure your puppy gets used to walking on all different types of surfaces and show them lots of everyday objects, like bicycles, vacuums, and umbrellas. Try to make every day a new experience for your puppy - the more exposure they get to different types of stimuli now, the easier it will be for them to adjust to new things as an adult.
Positive Reinforcement
When training any animal, positive reinforcement is key. With puppies, this is even more important. Punishment can cause fear and anxiety in puppies, which can lead to behavioral issues in adult dogs. The best way to begin training your new puppy is to give them positive reinforcement in the form of food, treats, or praise, every time they do something that you want them to do.
It’s also very important to help your puppy see all new experiences as positive with these same principles. When you bring your puppy to the pet store and they walk in confidently, they should get a treat and an enthusiastic “Good boy!” to let them know that they are doing what you expect of them. The same goes for when they meet a new person. It’s also a great idea to give new people treats to give to your puppy when they meet, so they will start to view meeting new people as a positive experience. This will help them from feeling fear when interacting with strangers.
The Importance of Routine and Structure
Dogs rely on structure for many reasons. If your dog knows exactly what to expect each day, they can relax - there likely won’t be any surprises in his routine that may stress him out! Try to take your puppy for walks around the same time each day, feed him at the same times each day, and if you are using a crate, put him in his crate at the same time each night. Changes in routine can be very stressful for dogs. If you do need to change your puppy’s routine, be sure to pay extra attention to their reaction. If you feel a change really throws off your puppy’s behavior, it’s a good idea to discuss fear and anxiety with your veterinarian.
Mental Stimulation
Keeping your puppy mentally stimulated is just as important as keeping them physically active. If you find that you’re playing with your puppy and walking him often, but he’s still very active and wired, he could be bored. One fun way to keep his mind active is to create games out of mealtimes. Try using a puzzle feeder! You can also feed your puppy out of a shallow dish with a tennis ball placed on top of the kibble, or feed dry food on a baking sheet instead of a bowl. Soft food can be stuffed into a toy like a Kong, and even frozen for an added challenge! All of these options will force your puppy to think more while eating about how to get to each bite. This also helps your puppy eat more slowly, which is important for digestion.
You can also create games to stimulate your puppy’s other senses. Try spraying dog-safe scents on his toys and then hide them around your home. Your dog will use his natural hunting instincts to sniff them out, which is another great mental exercise! Toys are also very important - but be sure to supervise him with them until you’re sure he won’t chew pieces off and swallow them. As your puppy grows, it’s also a good idea to change out his toys so that none of them are a choking hazard.
