The 5 animal welfare needs. Puppy socialisation. Things to think about

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1 The 5 animal welfare needs Puppy socialisation Things to think about

How to socialise your puppy and why it is so important Advice for breeders and new owners What is socialisation? Socialisation is one of the most important things you can do for your puppy.

2 How to socialise your puppy and why it is so important Advice for breeders and new owners What is socialisation? Socialisation is one of the most important things you can do for your puppy. It s all about ensuring they meet people and other animals, and experience lots of everyday sights and sounds, especially in their first few weeks of life. This leaflet will tell you why, when and how you should socialise your puppy. Why do it? Socialisation has a big influence on the behaviour and temperament of your puppy that will affect their behaviour for the rest of their life. A well-socialised puppy is more likely to grow up to be a friendly and outgoing dog. If socialisation isn t done properly, they are more likely to be anxious and fearful as adults. Anxiety and fear are often the cause of problem behaviour, such as aggression, so a lack of socialisation can lead to dogs being given to rehoming centres or even being put to sleep. Tragically, this happens to thousands of dogs every year. When should I socialise my puppy? Puppies need to be socialised when they are young because of the way their brain develops. Between the ages of three and eight weeks, a puppy wants to explore and investigate everything that s new. But after these first eight weeks, the brain changes and they are more likely to be nervous and wary of new experiences. So, positive exposure to a range of people, animals, places and experiences is crucial before eight weeks of age. The earlier you start socialisation, the better. In fact, socialisation really starts at the place where your puppy was born so you should only get a puppy from a place where it has been among normal, everyday sights and sounds, such as the vacuum cleaner, TV, hi-fi and washing machine. Your puppy s brain will continue developing after eight weeks of age, so ongoing socialisation is still important. But at this age they will naturally be wary of new people and situations so their first encounters must all be positive.

3 How should I socialise my puppy? Let your puppy gradually meet other pets and experience different things but, before you start, remember these golden rules: Don t puppies need their vaccinations before they can meet other animals? This is an important point. Puppies normally go to their new home when they are around eight weeks old, and they should be vaccinated around the same time. Some puppies can receive their first vaccination earlier, so speak to your vet about this. Meeting other animals is an essential part of socialisation, but your puppy needs to be protected from diseases first. Your puppy s primary vaccination course is made up of two different injections. After the first injection, it may be safe for your puppy to meet other fully vaccinated pets or attend puppy socialisation groups (sometimes called puppy parties ), which are often run by vet practices or training groups. But you should always speak to your vet for advice first and never let your puppy meet unknown or unvaccinated pets until they are fully protected. The experiences must be good ones. If your puppy seems anxious or afraid when they re doing or seeing something new, calmly end what they re doing. Don t try to comfort or reassure your puppy as this will make them think that there was something to be scared about. Just be positive and upbeat and do something different. This is very important because otherwise your puppy can develop fears and phobias. Build up new experiences gradually; for example, go to some quiet local shops before visiting a shopping centre; a quiet road before a busy road etc. When your puppy is calm and relaxed, occasionally offer praise and healthy treats so that the experience is enjoyable. Don t introduce too many new experiences in one day. Three a day is a sensible number, remembering to repeat them as often as possible once your puppy is happy with them. Supervise play with other dogs carefully. Don t let the play get too boisterous. This will be particularly important if you have an older, very tolerant dog in the household.

Socialisation schedule Use the following for guidance on when to start getting your puppy used to different things. 0 weeks Puppies will be with their mother and littermates.

4 Socialisation schedule Use the following for guidance on when to start getting your puppy used to different things. 0 weeks Puppies will be with their mother and littermates. They should be allowed to smell people (both men and women as well as children) from an early age. 3 weeks The breeder should let the puppy see and hear everyday household sights and sounds, such as the TV, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, etc. The puppy should also continue to meet a variety of people. Start grooming and gently examining eyes, ears, paws, and so on, every day. Ask your local veterinary practice when your puppy can be vaccinated.

5 Socialisation schedule 6 weeks Ask whether your vet practice runs puppy socialisation groups (also called puppy parties ) and, if not, ask where the nearest one is. Some puppies will be vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. When the first vaccination has been given, ask how you can safely let your puppy socialise before the second vaccination. If the disease risk is low, your vet may suggest carrying your puppy in your arms outside in order to begin to see the world. Let your puppy meet everyone in the family, including children and other people s children. Don t allow them to pester, or treat your puppy as a toy, but let your puppy enjoy playing and interacting with them. Arrange for visitors of different builds and from different ethnic backgrounds to visit the house. Let your puppy meet other family pets as well as babies, but supervise contact so that they meet each other safely. If you have an older dog, keep them both on a lead if you re not sure how they ll react. Don t let your puppy pester a cat because the puppy s likely to get scratched. Let your puppy get used to being in the car, just while it s stationary with the doors open at first, then start with some short journeys. Offer a small treat when your puppy is calm and relaxed. 6 weeks continued

Socialisation schedule 6 weeks It s important that your puppy gets used to being without you. Leave your puppy for a few minutes at first, e.g. for the time it takes you to make a drink.

6 Socialisation schedule 6 weeks It s important that your puppy gets used to being without you. Leave your puppy for a few minutes at first, e.g. for the time it takes you to make a drink. Then gradually increase the time that they re on their own so that eventually they re happy for you to leave the house for longer periods without them. Socialisation CDs are a great way to get your puppy used to noises that they will hear during their life. Lots of dogs, for example, are terrified of fireworks because they never heard them during their socialisation period. By using a CD you can get your puppy used to noises like this so that they re not scared later. Ask your veterinary practice about these. Start reward-based training, for example, toilet training and coming when called (see PDSA leaflet Training your dog). 8 weeks Puppies are usually transferred to their new owner at eight weeks. Get your puppy from a breeder where they have been living among everyday sights and sounds. Visit

7 Socialisation schedule 9 weeks Let your puppy get used to wearing a collar and lead in your garden. 10 weeks You may be able to take your puppy to have the second vaccination. Ask your vet when your puppy will be safe to start being socialised outside, away from your home. 12 weeks If your vet says it s safe for your puppy to go out and about, gradually build the range of experiences away from your home, e.g. by visiting the local railway station and local shopping areas, seeing farm animals, etc. Remember to stop if your puppy seems scared and not to overwhelm your puppy with too many experiences at a time or with experiences that are too intense. 15 weeks onwards Carry on like this until your puppy s at least a year old, as your puppy s learning will continue during this time. The benefits of good socialisation will stay with your puppy for life.

8 PDSA For pet owners registered at PDSA PetAid hospitals, a range of preventive treatments is sold. This includes, neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, prescription diets, and flea and worm treatments. Leading veterinary charity PDSA funds and provides veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership. The charity operates through a UK-wide network of 50 PetAid hospitals and 380 PetAid practices (contracted private practices). PDSA would like to thank Sarah Heath BVSc DipECVBM-CA CCAB MRCVS for helping to compile this leaflet. For more information on PDSA and its work and to find out how you can help support the charity by fundraising, volunteering or making a donation: Freephone PDSA Head Office, Whitechapel Way, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire TF2 9PQ. The People s Dispensary for Sick Animals 09/13 Job 32092

Adopting a rescue dog

Adopting a rescue dog There are a variety of reasons why a dog may end up in a rescue centre, these may include, a change of circumstances e.g. change in job or home, a partnership splitting up, starting