Everyday things can be scary if your puppy has never seen them before.
There is a ‘sensitive period’ for every puppy, between 8 – 16 weeks of age. During this time, they learn to accept things around them as normal, they are nothing to worry about. This period is the best time to help your new puppy socialize with other dogs, animals and people, and start learning basic training
HOW TO SOCIALIZE YOUR PUPPY?
- Try to expose your puppy to as many different situations and individuals (in the future: download our Puppy App) as possible during this period. Later, your puppy may find it more difficult to cope with unknown situations.
- Expose them regularly, but not to too many at a time.
- Make all encounters enjoyable. Reward quiet reaction to each exposure with treats and warm voice.
- Introduce new objects at a distance. Give strangers (e.g. friends coming to visit you at home) tasty treats and a toy so the puppy learns that visitors have fun stuff and it is an enjoyable interaction.
- If your puppy seems anxious or fearful, give more space and freedom to approach in their own time.
- Common signs to look out for checking if they are not comfortable are ears back, cowering, tucked in tail, licking lips, yawning. Signs that your puppy feels ok are a relaxed tail and face or a playful posture. Read our tips to become an expert in reading your puppy body language.
- Using ADAPTIL Junior during this critical life stage helps your puppy keep positive during these encounters. It has been proven to help them learn faster and develop into well-trained adult dogs
Puppy Classes
- Puppy classes are a great way to encourage your puppy to learn and develop into a confident, outgoing dog in all circumstances.
- Puppy schools are designed for pups 8 to 16 weeks old.
- They are a fun way to bond with your puppy during its most important developmental period.