That cute little puppy got you chasing your tail? We'll help you survive (and enjoy) puppyhood and help you grow your pup into the well-behaved adult companion you look forward to.
Basic Manners Get your pup focused and following your directions. Problem Solving Make short work of house training, stop puppy from using you - and your furniture - as chew toys, and more. Problem Prevention Ensure your pup grows into a dog you can truly enjoy - friendly, relaxed, well-behaved, and fun! |
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The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing over-stimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the AVSAB believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.
Because the first three months are the period when sociability outweighs fear, this is the primary window of opportunity for puppies to adapt to new people, animals and experiences. Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Behavioral problems are the greatest threat to the owner-dog bond. In fact, behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age.
While puppies' immune systems are still developing during these early months, the combination of maternal immunity, primary vaccination, and appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to the chance of death from a behavioral problem.
Veterinarians specializing in behavior recommend that owners take advantage of every safe opportunity to expose young puppies to the great variety of stimuli that they will experience in their lives. Enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the human-animal bond, and socializing puppies in an environment where risk of illness can be minimized.
Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccinations at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccinations throughout the class.