What is puppy Socialisation?
Socialisation is a term that is often used in dog training books, dog magazines and by breeders and trainers.
In simple terms, “socialisation” refers to the learning process that a puppy must undergo to learn key life skills which ensure that they are happy and confident in their environment, and can communicate effectively within their social group.
What does socialisation actually mean and how will it affect you as a new puppy owner?
We ask a huge amount from our dogs in their role as a companion animal, as not only do they need to understand humans and the human world, they also need to become fluent in the language of humans.
What does it involve?
Socialisation involves having pleasant social interactions with adults, children, vets, adult dogs and other animals, as well as careful exposure to different situations in the environment, like traffic, crowds, travelling in the car, vacuum cleaners and any sights and sounds your dog will have to cope with in life. It is so important that this is done thoroughly and correctly when your puppy is still young enough to happily accept new things.
Every single thing a puppy sees, hears, feels, smells and tastes, every meeting they have and every new thing they discover produces literally trillions of new brain connections in those first 16 weeks, and they will last for life. They are learning what things are a part of their new life and their new family, what is safe and who is in their social group.
Experience is everything
A puppy who is properly reared in their early weeks will be far more likely to grow up confident, calm, more open to learning new things, less likely to respond to new experiences fearfully or aggressively – in short, more likely to become a good family dog.
Up to the first 16 weeks of age, the puppy is also learning who is in their social group, who the people and animals are that form their family, who they are social and friendly with, who they play with and who they are building bonds with. You have to carry on this socialisation to teach your puppy about their new family and what their life with you is going to contain.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you have any specific problems during this time, speak to your breeder or dog trainer – they will advise you how best to overcome them. Problems with puppies are usually easily solved, so ask for advice sooner rather than later. Problems can be harder to rectify in the long run if you don’t correct them by training the desired behaviour.
