Since the COVID-19 Pandemic started several years ago, there has been a massive increase in the number of new puppies being purchased and adopted. Many families are getting puppies for the first time, thinking that it will be easy to manage since they are home all day. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. In addition, many new puppy owners work from home and are never separated from their puppies.
The problem is that the pandemic puppies are too bonded with their owners. Constant companionship doesn’t necessarily make life less stressful for dogs, though. If all they know is you, much of the world may seem alarming, especially when meeting new people and dogs.
Puppy socialization is the first priority for all new puppies while working on The First 5 Things to Teach Your New Puppy. If a puppy is not properly socialized during the critical period between 4 and 12 weeks old, serious social problems will be embedded into its brain.
HOW TO SOCIALIZE PUPPIES
This is the number one excuse I get from clients: that they don't know how to introduce their puppies to people and other dogs. Check out an article where I wrote socialization ideas for puppies during a pandemic.
I got a 10-week-old Mini Aussie on May 5, 2020; she has been around people and dogs in my neighborhood and doggie daycare daily since then. Needless to say, she has zero behavior issues of any kind at 4 years old.
DO PUPPIES NEED ALL VACCINES TO SOCIALIZE?
NO! Vaccines have nothing to do with socializing your puppy with humans or healthy adult dogs. The recommendation from the vet is primarily to keep your puppy away from contaminated grass in places such as dog parks, where other dogs' feces may compromise the puppy's immune system. Also, you want to watch out for Parvo and other diseases that puppies can easily catch around sick dogs.
Robert K. Anderson DVM, Diplomat, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says, "The risk of a dog dying because of infection with distemper or parvo disease is far less than the much higher risk of a dog dying (euthanasia) because of a behavior problem." You can read the entire article here.
THE SOLUTION
Get your puppy socialized and start obedience training the first day that you bring your puppy home to prevent possible issues with Fear, Anxiety, and Stress.
Use the skills and techniques to prevent dog behavior problems.
Provide your dog with plenty of enrichment in the home.
Consult with a dog trainer BEFORE problems get out of hand.
Related Articles: