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LIFESTYLE

Image with thanks to Smart Puppy

Why ALL puppies need socialisation

f we had R1 for every time we’ve Socialisation starts at birth. A good DIFFERENT BREEDS AND
heard the words: “But I have a little breeder (even if this person is your SOCIALISATION
dog. Surely he doesn’t need training?” neighbour whose bitch has had pups in By far the biggest factor in ending up
Iwe would be outrageously wealthy. their home) will take the time to introduce with a dog that suits your needs as an
the pups to different textures, noises, individual or family, is research, research,
The reality is, if you want a dog who is and will handle and interact regularly with research! Finding out about the breed
never exposed to new people or other them. or type of dog you are planning to bring
animals, never goes for walks, never into your household will go a long way
visits the park and is locked up when Wherever possible, inspect the breeder’s in determining whether puppy-parenting
the family eats or when guests come facilities so you can be sure the pups turns out to be the wonderful, enriching
over, then no, your pup doesn’t need were not simply left to their own devices experience you hope it will - or whether
any socialisation. But if you want a well- in the yard, with no human contact for it will bring heartache and frustration
adjusted furry family member who can those first, vitally important weeks in their and possibly end in you re-homing your
be trusted to remain calm in any new development. pup (or another family pet). Socialisation
situation or environment and can share can only do so much. Your pup’s natural
all sorts of experiences with the family Additionally, avoid taking your puppy breed characteristics will always come
without becoming fearful, boisterous, before he or she is 8 weeks old, as into play. You cannot expect a Pit Bull
aggressive or unmanageable, your baby Week 6 – Week 8 is when they start puppy to behave in the same way as
needs Puppy School! learning bite-inhibition and appropriate a Golden Retriever, or your Beagle
play from mom and siblings. This will pup to have the same level of focus on
BREEDER SOCIALISATION be a vital piece of the puzzle in how obedience work as a German Shepherd.
The first 4 to 4,5 months of a pup’s life your pup interacts with human family Take the time to learn about what
are equivalent to the first 7 years of members and other dogs throughout makes your chosen breed tick, what
a child’s life. This time frame is when his life. Single or hand-raised pups, or can reasonably be expected of them
they need to be exposed to as many those who are taken before 6 weeks are in training, what sort of rewards they
new experiences and environments as really on the back paw when it comes to respond to and so forth. This will make
possible, in a positive way. Trying to start learning bite-inhibition and play; they are the socialisation and, later, obedience
this process at 6 months of age may not like children who have been given no training, a much smoother process.
have the same favourable outcome. boundaries. A good puppy school trainer will also
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