(SHORT VERSION)
When the litter of puppies are around five weeks of age, you start socializing
them by taking each individual puppy out and hold them. You talk to them
and rub them all over their bodies. The reason behind waiting 'til five
weeks is because up until that age most puppies just are not very aware
of anything except their mother. The puppies are mature enough then to
take the attention we humans put on them.
Do this for five minutes a day. Everyday. By the time they are six
weeks old they really look forward to all the attention.
By handling each puppy in this way, you can tell if there is one that
needs a little more individual care. Not all puppies are outgoing. Once
in awhile you will find one that stays to the back of the rest of the puppies.
That is the one who needs more handling and attention.
There is no big secret to puppy socialization, just your time.
At six weeks, after they have had their vaccination, you can bring all
of the litter out to play. I usually do this on my kitchen floor. I sit
on the floor and play with them. They love it.
This is, also, the time that you introduce them to other people and
other pets (dogs, cats, etc.) that will reside in their environment.
When the puppies are eight to ten weeks old, it is the time to take
your puppies out and about. Introduce them to different places and people.
They need to learn that there is nothing to fear from other people or
places. They should see lots of different people so they never get a fear
of strangers.
Get them use to going into the car and for a drive. The ride does not
have to be long, around the block, or if you live in the country like I
do, up the road and back. You don't want them to associate going in the
car only when they go to see the vet. They have to feel that this is a
fun thing to do.
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