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Socialization
Socialization is a familiar buzzword, but most people only understand the surface of what dog behavior professionals are trying to communicate when they use this term.
What is socialization?
Socialization refers to how we think about setting our dogs up to cope with all aspects of the environment they will need to negotiate throughout their lives. Yes, they need positive experiences with various people and dogs, but they also need to learn to cope with being handled by the vet and groomer, negotiate different surfaces, tolerate sudden scary noises, and problem-solve how to get what they want when presented with new objects or situations. Frustration, challenge, and problem-solving with a positive outcome are important aspects of any socialization plan.
Why do I need to know about socialization?
Socialization is a lifelong process, starting with the primary socialization period before 16 weeks (puppies will be most receptive to new experiences at this time). We can’t expose them to every single thing they will experience as adults, but we can teach them to be polite with social partners, stay calm when they aren’t sure what something is, and work out how to interact appropriately with their environment. A good puppy class will help you kickstart the skills you need to go out into the world and set your puppy up for success.