The Puppy's Rules Of Twelve
By Margaret Hughes, Positive Paws Dog Training.
Puppies are the most willing to try new things before they turn 20 weeks old. The following socialization guideline emphasizes this by having you expose your pup to a variety of things in that first critical time period. Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include lots of praise. Slow down, decrease distance, and reassure if your puppy is scared. Increased variety is the important aspect, not increased intensity. You will continue to expose your puppy to several new things throughout the time you raise them, building on the strong foundation you provide at this young age.
By the time your puppy is 20 weeks old, it should have:
Puppies are the most willing to try new things before they turn 20 weeks old. The following socialization guideline emphasizes this by having you expose your pup to a variety of things in that first critical time period. Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include lots of praise. Slow down, decrease distance, and reassure if your puppy is scared. Increased variety is the important aspect, not increased intensity. You will continue to expose your puppy to several new things throughout the time you raise them, building on the strong foundation you provide at this young age.
By the time your puppy is 20 weeks old, it should have:
- Experienced 12 different surfaces: wood, woodchips, carpet, tile, cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud puddles, pea gravel, grates, a table (vet visits), etc.
- Been introduced to 12 different objects: toys, balls (big, small), funny sounding toys, metal items, balloons, etc.
- Experienced 12 different locations: front yard, other people’s homes, school yard, lake, river, basement, elevator, car, moving car, laundry room, kennel, etc.
- Met and played with 12 new people (outside the family): children, adults, elderly adults, people in wheelchairs, walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, uniforms, etc.
- Exposed to 12 different noises (ALWAYS keep things fun and watch the puppy’s comfort level- we don’t want the puppy scared): garage door opening, doorbell, phone ringing, children playing, crying baby, big trucks, motorcycles, skateboards, washing machine, clapping, lawnmowers, etc.
- Exposed to 12 fast-moving objects (don’t allow them to chase!): skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, running people, running cats, running squirrels, running horses, running cows, etc.
- Experienced 12 different challenges: climb on/in/off/around a box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, go in and out a doorway with a step, go through an electric sliding door, climb over a log, go into a bathtub (and bath), get in and out of a car, etc.
- Handled 12 different ways each week for 12 weeks: held under someone’s arm (football hold), hold on floor, held between owner’s legs, handle head, look in ears, look in mouth, look between toes, take temperature, held like a baby, file toenails, etc.
- Been left alone safely (in crate) away from family and other animals (5-45 minutes) 12 times a week.
- Been left alone safely (in crate) near family members (5-45 minutes) 12 times a week.