As a new puppy parent, socialisation is essential for your pup's development. It's more than about just meeting other dogs - it's about creating diverse, positive experiences that help shape a confident, well-adjusted adult dog.
Puppies have a crucial socialisation window between 4 and 16 weeks of age. During this time, it's vital to expose them to a variety of positive experiences - from different environments to new situations - as these early encounters shape their future responses and behaviours.
Reward-based training methods are great for this, praising your puppy is crucial at this stage as they need to understand right and wrong. Reward them for good behaviour and learning something new, such as a command or a trick.
Introducing your puppy to other people and dogs safely is fundamental to their development. While puppy schools are excellent (typically for puppies 11-18 weeks old), the MorePaws app offers an innovative way to connect with compatible dog owners in your area. This platform helps you find and arrange playdates with compatible pet parents, ensuring your puppy socialises with well-matched companions. Once your vet confirms it's safe based on your puppy's vaccination schedule, you can arrange meet-ups through MorePaws or with friends and family who have vaccinated, friendly dogs.
Your puppy's world is rich with sounds and smells that they need to become familiar with. A well-rounded sensory education helps build their confidence and adaptability:
Sound Exploration: Gradually introduce your puppy to everyday sounds they'll encounter throughout their life. Start with quiet household noises like background music, dishwashers or the TV, then progress to outdoor sounds such as traffic, construction work, and children playing. You can use sound recordings at a low volume, gradually increasing it as your puppy shows comfort, always rewarding calm behaviour.
Scent Adventures: Dogs experience the world primarily through their nose, so create opportunities for safe scent exploration. Set up "sniffari" walks where your puppy can investigate new smells in your garden or home. Introduce them to different natural scents like leaves, grass, and flowers, as well as urban smells they'll encounter on walks. You can even create simple scent games by hiding treats in easy-to-find spots, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Develop your puppy's comfort with handling through gentle touch sessions focusing on ears, feet, mouth, and tail. This preparation is invaluable for both home care and veterinary visits.
Car familiarity is another crucial skill. Start with stationary visits in the vehicle, progressing to short driveway trips. Rewarding your pup in the car will create positive associations with the space.
Throughout all these experiences, maintain a positive, reward-based approach to help your puppy develop into a confident, well-adjusted adult dog. It will require patience but reap the rewards when you have a well behaved companion by your side.
Visit morepaws.co.uk or download the MorePaws app to start connecting with compatible dog owners and build a support network for you and your pup.