Socialising a puppy

Socialising is the process by which a puppy learns that people, other animals and the ordinary sights and sounds of the world are safe. What a puppy experiences in its first months shapes its behaviour for life, and fear that takes root then is hard to undo.

The sensitive period

From about three weeks of age until around twelve to fourteen weeks, puppies approach new things with curiosity more than caution. After that, wariness of the unfamiliar increases. A puppy that has met little during those weeks is more likely to grow into a fearful adult, and fear is the commonest cause of aggression.

Much of this period is spent with the breeder, which is one reason to choose a puppy raised in a home, handled daily and used to household noise, and not one reared in a shed or kennel block; see finding a puppy or rescue dog.

Before vaccinations are complete

The sensitive period overlaps with the weeks before a puppy is fully vaccinated. The two needs are reconciled by carrying the puppy to see the world without putting it down where unvaccinated dogs may have been:

• carrying it along streets, past traffic, shops and schools;
• sitting with it on a bench or at a station;
• short car journeys;
• visits from a variety of people at home;
• meeting healthy, vaccinated, calm adult dogs in a private garden;
• a well-run puppy class, which most vets consider safe after the first vaccination.

What to introduce

• People of different ages and appearances: children, older people, people with beards, hats, glasses, high-visibility clothing, walking sticks, pushchairs and wheelchairs.
• Animals: calm dogs of different sizes, cats, and livestock and horses at a distance.
• Places and surfaces: pavements, grass, gravel, stairs, lifts, slippery floors, the veterinary surgery for a friendly visit.
• Sounds: the vacuum cleaner, washing machine, doorbell, traffic, and recordings of fireworks and thunder played quietly.
• Handling: paws, ears, mouth and tail touched gently; brushing; wearing a collar and harness.
• Being alone for short periods.

How to do it

The aim is good experiences, not as many experiences as possible. New things are introduced one at a time, at a distance the puppy is comfortable with, and paired with food or play. The puppy is allowed to approach and retreat as it chooses. If it shows fear, by cowering, tucking its tail or trying to get away, the distance is increased and the introduction made easier next time. Forcing a frightened puppy to stay close does harm.

Play with other puppies teaches a dog to control its bite and read other dogs, but it needs supervising so that no puppy is bullied.

After the puppy stage

Socialising continues through adolescence, when many dogs go through a second fearful phase at around six to fourteen months. Adult dogs that missed out early can improve with patient, gradual work, though they may never be as relaxed as a well-socialised dog; a qualified behaviourist can help.