Social Paw-ty.

Socializing dogs isn't just about teaching them to get along with other dogs; it's about exposing them to various environments, people, animals, and situations from an early age. This exposure helps them develop confidence, learn appropriate behavior, and prevent fear-based aggression later in life. A well-socialized dog is more likely to be relaxed, adaptable, and able to handle new experiences without stress.

The ideal time to begin socializing your dog is during their critical socialization period, which typically occurs between 3 weeks and 14 weeks of age. During this time, puppies are most receptive to new experiences and are forming lifelong impressions about what is safe and what is not. Since we got Milo in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was difficult to expose him to different environments due to stay-at-home orders, limited business hours, and a slew of other factors. We were able to take him on field trips to home improvement stores, which are great places to introduce dogs to a lot of people, sounds, and smells. When the weather was nice, we took him for walks in the park or around the neighborhood. Luckily my sister also has a dog so we were able to set up play dates with her dog so Milo could learn how to interact with other dogs.

Milo (10 weeks) with his dog cousin, Stardust.

It's also very important to get your dog used to being handled by different people and groomed early on. This includes touching their paws, ears, and mouth, as well as brushing and bathing. This helps prevent fear or aggression during vet visits or grooming appointments.

A well-socialized dog is confident in various situations and environments. They engage in play with other dogs and are not overly fearful or aggressive. They exhibit curiosity about new people, animals, and surroundings. Socialization is an ongoing process. Milo still tries to blend into the corner at the vet, or is overly excited going to the park but we are constantly trying to expose him to different situations so that he can learn and grow from them. Now go grab your leash and take your doggo out to explore the world!