Socialization. That word can mean a lot of things. When it comes to dogs, socialization is a process of introducing your puppy to unfamiliar situations, people, and animals in order to help them be at ease out in public.

You might be asking, what is so important about socializing my puppy? Won’t they just learn on their own?

The answer is that they will only learn what you expose them to.

When you take your puppy out to the store, they are not only learning how to handle themselves around people and other animals, but they are learning how to stay calm in the presence of external stressors. A simple trip to the pet store is full of new smells, sights, and sounds. There are unfamiliar people, sometimes young ones who your puppy has never encountered before, and lots of unfamiliar animals. Even the animals that are not currently present but may have marked their territory at the store, your puppy can smell. All of those things can create a sense of overwhelm for a puppy that has never been around it.

But the good news is that is very easy to socialize your puppy.

The best thing you can do is take them everywhere with you. Let them get used to being around new smells and people and animals, without panicking. As you stay calm and guide them through the process with reassurance (and hopefully a few treats), you are signaling to them that this is a safe environment, and that they are safe even when there are unknowns present. Not only that, but it’s better for puppies to be with their owner more often than not, because they don’t do as well left alone. Especially for more intelligent, high-demand breeds, being left alone can create a lot of anxiety and stress for your puppy.

Next time you go out to a pet friendly restaurant, take your pup with you and let them sit on the patio. (Of course, make sure you bring all their necessities such as a portable water bowl) While you’re having an amazing lunch, your puppy will be learning that they are safe out in public with you and getting used to being around unfamiliar places and things.

What are the benefits of this?

A less reactive dog. A less aggressive dog. A dog that is not scared of strangers.

Socializing gives puppies the confidence and skills they need to navigate a big, unfamiliar world as they grow. Puppies who don’t get socialized are fearful and nervous around others, and might be skittish or run away from their owner out in public because they don’t feel safe.

What is the time frame for socializing?

Ideally, a puppy needs to be socialized by the time it is 8 months old. As they get older, their habits will start to set in and they will develop their personality more. If they aren’t socialized, that personality might be skittish or fearful, and it will be harder to correct that than it would be to prevent it in the first place.

That’s not to say it’s too late if your dog has gone longer than that – but it might be an uphill battle. The sooner you start, the better. You might have to take extra precautions or try limited exposure to start with. For example, go to a park where there is plenty of space and not that many people around, and keep them on a leash. Then, once they are more comfortable in that scenario, then try a dog park (that’s not too crowded). Don’t take your puppy to a crowded dog park for their first outing – that is a recipe for overwhelm. Keeping them on a leash will allow you to keep control and also help them understand that they are safe because they are under your care.

Last but not least, make sure to use positive reinforcement – petting, praising, and treats. Always reward behavior that you want to see. When your puppy does well and doesn’t panic out in public, give them praise. Let them know that you are happy with them and that they are safe and doing a good job. It will go a long way to helping comfort them when they might be feeling uncomfortable.

Do you have any questions about how to socialize or train your new puppy? Ask them below!