The importance of the early socialization
The base of a balanced adulthood
You can hear many times that the early socialization is really important, but what does it mean? Why is it important in a puppy’s life? How does it affect the dog’s behavior as an adult? When does the socialization start?
Socialization is the process during which the dog gets to know the environment around it. For a newborn puppy, everything is new, so they must learn the important things of the life, like a newborn baby.
The socialization has several sections, and it’s very important that the puppies are stimulated by the breeder from the birth.
The first 6 weeks
This first, and very early section starts from the birth and it lasts until 6 weeks of age. This very early and sensitive section determines the dog’s future life.
In this section, the breeder’s main task is to establish the puppy’s trust in people. We can achieve this by holding the puppies a lot and talking to them from the very first moment. Even so, if the puppies hear isn’t perfect in the first weeks. We progressively start to get them used to the noises, it is the most ideal if they can grow up in an environment where basic household noises are present from the first moment. As the weeks pass, the breeder have more and more tasks, since the puppies not only have to be acclimated to people, noises, i.e. life, but also to create the foundataions for the puppies to be cooperative during daily care . (nail trimming, bathing, combing, etc.)
In addition, maternal attachment is a non-negligible part of this stage, since they are linked to their mother from birth. This dependence gradually fades over the weeks, but their mother first teaches the cubs the rules of behavior within the pack, including how to play with each other. It’s very important that the mother dog is with the puppies at this stage. Of course, providing the mother with adequate rest and recharge time.
Six and eight weeks of age
By this time, the central nervous system is fully developed, so the puppies will start exploring the world without fear and the breeder should take advantage of this. From this time onwards, they need a larger playground where they can explore different textures (grass, concrete, sand, carpet), unstable ground (a tiny ball), a play tunnel (where they can go in despite it being dark and moving) or even a crate full of bottles that rattle and clink. It’s all developmental play that prepares kids for a future life in the city.
Eight and twelve weeks of age
Ideally, the puppy is already with the owner. This is when the bond between the puppy and its new family is most easily formed. But there’s no need to panic if a puppy over 12 weeks old joins the family. If the socialization continues with the breeder during this period (until the puppy finds a new owner), the puppy easily insert to the new family. However, we must know that how the breeder made the socialization at this period.
The socialization of the puppy starts with the breeder, but it is equally important that the prospective owner follows the breeder’s advice and continues the socialization that has been started.
Why?
Because a well-socialised puppy will settle easily and without problems into a new family and become a well-balanced adult dog that behaves well in all situations. Breeder and owner have a common goal: to ensure a happy life for the dog!