Socialization - what is the key period for socializing a puppy?

My OH is getting very uptight about the key weeks for socialization for puppies. We are going to collect our puppy in about two weeks time, at which time he will be in eleventh week, he will have been socialized within the confines of the home where he was born, but my OH is reckons that the up will have to be fully socilized by 12 weeks. I tell him not to get to strung up about it, after all its only a recommendation in the books and it isn't always possible. Am I right to be fairly relaxed about this or should I be a bit more concerned.

Is the breeder socialising him? Does she have children/adults coming and going frequently?

When you get him have you considered walking him around town in a backpack on a route that isn't too populated with dogs? (ie. avoid parks until he is fully vaccinated)

Socialisation is important for sure - if you know the local grocer or something, pop down the road with him so he can say hi

We take Fern around in a backpack and he's quite comfortable, he has all kinds of people coming up to say hi and he quite enjoys the attention - we don't let him out in the backpack until we get home, then he can relieve himself in the garden.

They don't have to be long walks each day just 10 mins here and there

Socialisation is very important and will make things easier, but IMO, I wouldn't worry too much about it if it's not possible.

Personally I don't know how big your pup will be at 11 weeks and how wriggly Takara is 10 weeks today and there is NO way we could get her to sit in a back pack

Plus, puppies normally have vaccinations at 8 and 10 weeks and then and only then can they start properly being socialised 2 weeks after vaccinations unless you know lots of dogs with all their boosters

But, I'd say try and get him socialised, it really is the best age and perhaps you can get him booked in with your vet asap.

But, remember, it won't be ideal if he's not socialised but it won't be the end of the world either.

Molo came to us at 10 weeks - and I admit I was worried just like your OH

He had been habitualised to normal domestic sounds, and had been in the car once (for his first vaccination with his breeder as we asked especially) but had never met children (we have a 4 yr old) or experienced anything outside his breeders home.

I planned a habitulisation schedule for him in the first two weeks - I planned a specific experience combined with rest periods/days and we did everything from travelling by bus to meeting sheep I used a backback strapped on my front - and he did wriggle, but was still small enough to manage, most of the time I clipped him in using a harness, just in case

Our vets ran socialisation classes for pups that were between jabs - so that they can begin to meet other people and puppies; some vets also bring a calm adult dog in for the pups to meet as well

I think I may have overdone it: my problem now is that at 16 months old, Molo assumes that anything with legs will play with him or fuss him Nothing phases him, either - he is such a chilled out pooch

Good luck!

Hi Sarah Socialisation is very important and should start as soon as a puppy has got it's senses at four+ weeks..you start by putting things in the bed like loo rolls and sponges , different textures. How the dam treats the litter and the treatment a puppy receives in the first few months of life will set the pattern for its whole life.. The importance of this can't be underestimated. The puppy should be exposed to as many sights and sounds as possible (Carried until vaccinated) and done so in a happy positive way with any signs of fear ignored ...never reinforce fear with sympathy...also take care not to scare the puppy, treat it gently and firmly praising the good behaviour and ignoring the bad.

Great advice as always Mini

How laid back is Fern????
I was going to do that with Takara but thought she'd never stay in the bag. But after reading this thought that I'd try it with her.



Never again .

When I had finally got her to sit in a bag, we got as far as the door and she decided to wriggle, which made the bag come undone.
I had to catch her before she fell out. There's no way I'm taking her out like that - I'd be safer carrying her!

I harnessed Molo in, as he wriggled if he got excited - but its worth persevering - once they goet out and see the "big wide world" they are so busy watching the forget to wriggle in my experience

Try to socialise as much as possible. I carried Loki around with me in my arms 2-3 times a day for as long as I could carry him and I used to stand around outside shops and schools and walk along busy roads for cars, lorries and motorbikes. He also met other animals - horses, cows, a vaccinated dog, cat, people, kids, ducks, birds ...

In one book I've read it suggests all sorts of things like men with beards, motorcyclists with helmets on, babies in prams so just about everything you can think of.

I used to love walking around with him and he used to be fascinated by the world and lick my face. It was hard as he got bigger though and I think MC has a good idea with the backpack.

IMO socialisation is one of the most important things you can do for a puppy.

I spent the first few weeks I had Archie taking him on the bus, train, tube, going to friends houses, meeting new people, dogs, kids, sitting near the hospital so he would get used to the sound of sirens, etc.

I now have a dog I can take anywhere, who is not phased by anything!
We took him to the countryside for a few days this week, slept in B&Bs and he was good as gold

The only thing we missed out on was meeting large animals, and he barked himself silly when he saw horses this week for the first time We have now managed to calm him so that he does not bar, but is still scared. Imagine though, if he had barked at a skittish horse who was being ridden we might have caused an accident

Yep. Socialisation is important