How to Socialize Your New Doodle

Part of healthy puppy development is socializing with other dogs. Your new doodle needs a lot of love and attention and needs time to get to know other dogs. A dog that doesn't get a lot of socialization time can end up having negative interactions with other dogs as adults. Here are some tips to help you start socializing your new doodle in the first 16 weeks.

1. Invite friends and family over and slowly introduce your new pup to new people. Let the puppy smell their hand on their terms, and your friend or family member stays calm and patient while the dog adjusts to a new person.
2. Invite someone over who has a  healthy, vaccinated dog so your new pup can start socializing with other dogs. Playing with other dogs will help them learn boundaries and what is acceptable behavior.
3. Take your pup to friends or family member's homes to introduce your puppy to different environments.
4. Your new pup will learn the most from about 8-16 weeks. During this time, take your puppy on plenty of car rides to help them get used to motion.
5. Start taking your pup on small outings. For the first few weeks, take your puppy in your yard only as they get used to their environment. Once they are acclimated, you can start taking them out around the block. For their first walk, you may need to hold them, so they aren't overwhelmed by too many smells left behind from other dogs in the neighborhood. Over time, they will start adjusting to the smells and eventually will begin marking on walks.

Sign up for Puppy Classes

It is crucial to expose your dog to others as soon as possible. The more exposure they have to other dogs, the easier it will be to learn positive behaviors. Puppy classes are a great way to introduce your new doodle to other dogs, and professional dog trainers typically run them. Trainers have experience handling dogs with different personalities. If your dog does become stressed or overwhelmed, talk with your trainer on what steps you need to take to ensure the training remains positive.

Forcing a puppy that is stressed only makes the training worse. Some signs your pup is stressed include:

• Turning their head in class or when meeting new people or dogs
• Yawning
• They cling to you and try to hide

Meeting Adult Dogs

Initially, your puppy will only be around other puppies, and puppy classes are geared towards learning these behaviors. Puppies eventually need to meet adult dogs, and you can do this at a reasonably young age. Older dogs help younger dogs learn proper interactions. It is essential to socialize them with dogs that you already like and know are well-behaved.

Doodle Tip: Short sessions usually are better for puppies, so try and keep your initial interactions with other dogs brief. Avoid taking your pup to social events like your children's sporting events and crowded parks. 

Schedule Vet Visits

Your vet not only cares about the health of your pup; they have excellent resources for your puppy to live a long, happy life. We recommend scheduling your vet visits as soon as possible and discuss socialization. Some vets are concerned about diseases, which could be prevalent in your area. Before you take your pup out and start socializing, call your veterinarian to make sure it is safe for them. The most important thing you want to do is make sure your pup learns proper social behavior, and that comes from proper introduction to other people, places, and dogs.