Early Puppy Socialization

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By the time a puppy is 12 weeks old, it should have :

(If your puppy is over 12 weeks start right away with this socialization guide.)

* Experienced 12 different surfaces: wood, woodchips, carpet, tile,
cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud, puddles, deep pea
gravel, grates, uneven surfaces, on a table, on a chair, etc......

* Played with 12 different objects: fuzzy toys, big & small balls,
hard toys, funny sounding toys, wooden items, paper or cardboard
items, milk jugs, metal items, car keys, etc.......

* Experienced 12 different locations: front yard (daily), other
people's homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement,
elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian
hospital (stop by sometimes just to say hi & visit, lots of cookies,
no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), etc....

* Met and played with 12 new people (outside of family): include
children, adults (mostly men), elderly adults, people in wheelchairs,
walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, sunglasses, etc�.

* Exposed to 12 different noises (ALWAYS keep positive and watch
puppy's comfort level � we don't want the puppy scared): garage door
opening, doorbell, children playing, babies screaming, big trucks,
Harley motorcycles, skateboards, washing machine, shopping carts
rolling, power boat, clapping, loud singing, pan dropping, horses
neighing, vacuums, lawnmowers, birthday party, etc�

* Exposed to 12 fast moving objects (don't allow to chase):
skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, people
running, cats running, scooters, vacuums, children running, children
playing soccer, squirrels, cats, horses running, cows running, etc�

* Experienced 12 different challenges: climb on, in, off and around a
box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb
over obstacles, play hide & seek, go in and out a doorway with a step
up or down, exposed to an electric sliding door, umbrella, balloons,
walk on a wobbly table (plank of wood with a small rock underneath),
jump over a broom, climb over a log, bathtub (and bath) etc....

* Handled by owner (& family) 12 times a week: hold under arm (like a
football), hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between
owner's legs, hold head, look in ears, mouth, in-between toes, hold
and take temperature (ask veterinarian), hold like a baby, trim toe
nails, hold in lap, etc�

* Eaten from 12 different shaped containers: wobbly bowl, metal,
cardboard box, paper, coffee cup, china, pie plate, plastic, frying
pan, Kong, Treatball, Bustercube, spoon fed, paper bag, etc......

* Eaten in 12 different locations: back yard, front yard, crate,
kitchen, basement, laundry room, bathroom, friend's house, car, school
yard, bathtub, up high (on work bench), under umbrella, etc....

* Played with 12 different puppies (or safe adult dogs) as much as
possible. [This does NOT mean at the dog park.]

* Left alone safely, away from family & other animals (5-45 minutes)
12 times a week.

* Experienced a leash and collar 12 different times in 12 different locations

responsible breeder will have this done before going to a new home.
Early Neurological Stimulation for Newborn Puppies - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html


http://www.puppyprodigies.org/VideoClips.htm#Full%20version%20video

http://www.puppyprodigies.org/

Early Neurological Stimulation for Newborn Puppies - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

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Bump for Andraz

[BucketDiver]

Haha my dog is 15wks and just had his first encounter at a dog park. Then again I got him a week ago! Socializing him a ton. Thanks! Great ideas

[sr41056]

I like it...printed out a copy for a friend.

[brandypup]

Hope it helps.

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bump

[Dawna]

Dillon here. They also should have shredded curtains or drapes, ripped sheets and other bed linens to shreds, ate soap, harrassed their house mate dogs, bellowed at the top of their lungs to annoy peope, tried to jump on the gas pedal while riding in the car, pulled their human's arm out of the socket while walking, and shredded as much of their humans clothing as possible, concentrating on jeans'jackets and shoes! Now go and FEED THE BEAGLE!

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Early puppy socialization classes: Weighing the risks vs. benefits

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recently released a position paper outlining the importance of early puppy socialization, preferably before the puppy reaches 12 to 16 weeks old. Four veterinarians with extensive experience discuss early puppy socialization in a roundtable format.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recently released a position paper ( http://AVSABonline.org/) outlining the importance of early puppy socialization, preferably before the puppy reaches 12 to 16 weeks old. The AVSAB encourages owners to take their pets to puppy classes as early as possible, even before puppies have completed their full vaccination series.
Some veterinarians remain concerned about allowing puppies to commingle before vaccinations are complete. So to further explore the practical and theoretical issues involved, the AVSAB has interviewed four veterinarians who have extensive experience with early puppy socialization. The participants' individual interviews are presented below in a roundtable format.
Early puppy socialization classes: Weighing the risks vs. benefits - Veterinary Medicine

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These days, dogs are at greater risk of euthanasia for behavior problems than of communicable diseases.
One of the leading causes of behavior problems is lack of proper early socialization. Poorly socialized puppies turn into dogs who are afraid of everything new. Some dogs end up shy, others react with aggressive displays towards new people and dogs.
Unfortunately, some veterinarians are still behind the times regarding the risks of early socialization vs. the risk of disease.
Below are articles/letters by veterinary experts discussing the risks of socialization classes vs. full vaccination based on the latest research in health and behavior.

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: Early Socialization
• Early Socialization Classes: Risks vs Benefits
• Purdue University
• Robert K. Anderson DVM, letter to colleagues
• Striving For Puppy Wellness: Are Early Socialization and Infectious Disease Prevention Incompatible?

Since 2001, 4Paws has been offering puppy socialization classes and have had more than 1,500 puppies attend. Our class is held indoors where our floors are sanitized with CleanBreak™ sanitizer, which has been approved by veterinarians for kennel use. The facility is equipped with non-porous floors specially designed for kennel and daycare environments and is thoroughly sanitized before class. The puppy class is the first class of the day to minimize risk of contamination.
While we are not veterinarians and can not guarantee that there is no risk whatsoever, we keep up on the latest recommendations by the experts who suggest that the risk of behavior problems far outweighs the risk of disease.
If you have concerns about bringing your puppy to class before fully vaccinated, please print the links above and discuss with your veterinarian. Ultimately, the decision is yours.
Puppy Vaccinations vs Socialization

DON'T WAIT FOR PUPPY CLASS TO BEGIN SOCIALIZATION!

Even before your puppy has the necessary vaccinations to begin classes, there are safe ways to begin the socialization process. The articles below give ideas on how to provide your puppy with safe, positive socialization.

Early Socialization of Your Puppy
When and How Do I Socialize My Puppy?
Beyond the Dog Park
Socialization Checklist

[Dawna]

All this is making me dizzy! Just FEED THE BEAGLE!!!!