EARLY SOCIALIZATION
Dog socialisation Victoria require early and rich socialization with people, kids, other animals to become confident social adults, but HOW when they haven't had all of their shots yet?
Much study has been done on the critical socialization periods and professionals debate on how to protect the puppy from illness while meeting his need for rich social experiences. It's a reality that puppies are at risk of picking up viruses in the world but "bubble boy" puppies who stay cloistered at home until they are "all done with their shots" can also be at a greater risk of becoming anti-social dogs who can't cope with life.
At a recent seminar, Ian Dunbar DVM, PhD noted that the 'most' critical Puppy socialisation Victoria period starts long before the pup leaves the litter: 3 weeks to 12 weeks - so socialization needs to start with the breeder and continue from there. The books say 7 weeks because that's about the earliest a puppy should leave its litter. Dr. Dunbar's quote is "100 new people by the age of 3 months." That's a lot of people!
Beyond 16 weeks you've missed laying the groundwork for your puppy's social life.
At 5 months they begin to recognize that there are strangers in the world and are about to head into a second fear imprint period in early adolescence - the most difficult time developmentally to socialize. If your veterinarian advises you to wait to begin puppy classes, you will have to find other creative ways to meet your puppy's social needs over the next few critical months.
At the seminar both Ian Dunbar & Jennifer Messer DVM recommended an accelerated vaccination schedule: 3 vaccinations by 3 months and begin puppy classes in a class with other vaccinated puppies at 12 weeks. Prior to being able to attend class, they advised that puppy owners not walk their pups in public parks or around the neighborhood where stray/unvaccinated dogs travel until after the 4th vaccine, but to meet the need for socialization by inviting lots of kind, gentle people of all ages to their home and carry the puppy everywhere: the video store to rent videos, the fringes of a summer soft ball game, the grocery store to sit outside with the puppy on your lap and watch people and carts and kids go by.
Some suggestions:
Wherever there are sights and sounds and smells and humans of a wide variety of ages of while he is still small enough to be carried easily. Places that don't sell food or pets are good choices - video stores, garden centers, office supply stores, yard sales - just don't put your puppy down on the ground where the germs are and don't let him sniff noses with other animals. You want him to meet lots of gentle kids, especially if you don't have any of your own. Many veterinarians advise owners of 'high risk for social issues' breeds (pitbulls, chows, shar peis, heelers, filas, etc) to start classes as early as 10 weeks. Of course, owners must fully realize they are weighing social benefits over health risk.
