If, through careful consideration, you decided to bring a new puppy into your home and family this holiday season, congratulations! The holidays provide unparalleled opportunities to introduce your new pet not only to the sights, smells, and sounds of your home, but also to introduce him to different experiences that, however small at the moment, can make a big difference in the long-term wellbeing of your dog.
If you haven’t heard yet, all puppies go through various stages – some more fun than others. Most puppies are brought home at about 8 weeks (the beginning of a period known as their “second fear imprint period.”) This time is very important in the overall development of a dog. There is a common misconception that this period (which lasts 2-4 weeks or so) is a period of fearfulness. It’s actually more accurate to look at this period as a time where various situations, social and otherwise, will be imprinted on the dog and will determine much of how they view the world. Will they move forward with confidence or fear?
As we’ve discussed in past blog posts, great socialization in dogs has far less to do with getting your dog to like different situations, and much more to do with getting your dog to learn to ignore, brush off, or work through new and different circumstances. Like just about all things with your new dog, how successfully they emerge from this period as a confident and curious creature is in most ways up to you. There are things you can do now during this short timeframe that will help you to create the dog you want for the next 10-15 years. The dog that would say:
– “Thunder and lightening? No problem.”
– “Fireworks? Whatever.”
– “Unstable surfaces? Not worried about it.”
During this time, the goal is to minimize your dog’s stress – not to get the most out of your vacation time. Above all else, remember this: We ALWAYS want to set our puppies up for success during this period. In other words, keep things simple and fun. If you have any doubt that your dog will fail or not enjoy what you’re about to do with it…leave it be. He’ll be ready soon enough.
Now probably isn’t the time to take him to a party, however much you may want to show him off. He doesn’t need (nor does he want) to get kisses from everyone in your office or on your block. (Remember, his immune system is still developing and he doesn’t have all of his shots yet!) That said, now is a great time to get a variety of friends (men, women, adults, children, and people of different ethnicities) to pet him:
– one at a time
– slowly and respectfully
– when he’s clearly in the mood for interaction
Now also isn’t the time to take him shopping at The Home Depot or to return gifts at Macy’s. Yes, he should be introduced to many new/different sights and sounds, but this NEEDS to be done in a way that YOU control. This is perhaps the best part of getting a puppy during the holidays:
– Use wrapping paper and boxes left over from gifts as different (perhaps slightly less stable) surfaces and textures for your pup to explore and play around.
– Take advantage of crowd noises from The Rose Bowl and other games to begin introducing him to loud sounds. Exposure to such sounds now will actually help with things like thunder and fireworks later.
– Use party favors and accessories such as hats, banners, and noise makers to show him that such things are not scary. In other words, show him the whistle but blow it softly and always in a way that doesn’t scare him – no surprises.
– Expose him to gatherings and parties from a distance. Have people ignore the puppy when he is out during gatherings. Let him see that small crowds (3-10 people) aren’t scary and that walking near or through them isn’t a problem at all. This, of course, takes some management – especially of people who likely don’t understand that your goal is to build confidence in your puppy.
During this period, the general rules are:
– Set him up for success. Do not push him into fearful situations. He needs to emerge from this period nothing but successful. Avoid his threshold for fear, and he’ll more than likely grow into the confident dog you desire him to be.
– As always, do not coddle your dog. When you step on this toe and he squeals, telling him “it’s okay” and petting him actually tells him, “yes, you should be scared.” What works to comfort babies and children doesn’t have the same effect on puppies. He’s looking to you as a fearless leader, not a comforting coddler. Tough love is your friend here.
– Whatever you’re doing, end on a positive note. If something does happen that causes a fear stimulus, turn it around and make it into something fun. By working him through tough moments, he’ll learn that he can handle whatever is thrown his way.
Eight to twelve weeks old is a fascinating and hugely important time for your puppy. Even if you adopted an older dog for Christmas, these rules apply to you as well. While older dogs are beyond the imprinting period, bonding them to you and your family through consistently successful and fun interactions will make all the difference over the first several weeks with your dog.