Quiz 10. Socialising your puppy.
In the wild, canines need to know their place in the pack, how to cooperate, and how to avoid misunderstandings. A complex body language is essential. The canine puppies learn those signals from the older dogs.
In cities, puppies still need to know those signals to avoid isolation, misunderstandings and trouble. However, they don’t get much of a chance to learn or practise those signals: they’re not in the park for long, they’re often not meeting other dogs, and they’re often on a leash. So, where do they learn those signals?
Fortunately, those signals are innate, but those puppies still need reminders from older dogs. It's our job to make that happen.
What does having ‘a socialised dog’ mean?
If your dog knows how to behave with dogs, people, and unusual noises, both of you will benefit.
An adult dog uses body language to say:
A dog says countless things with nearly all parts of its body. Take the time to understand a dog’s language and you can avoid problems.
Is it important to socialise my dog?
Spend the time early and you will both reap the benefits for years to come.
When should we begin socialising our puppy?
Begin when it’s weeks old or as soon as you get it. Those first months can shape the behaviour of your dog for the rest of its life.
After your puppy gains confidence and coordination, regularly introduce it to:
Do this, and as your puppy grows older, nothing will faze it. Maintain that socialisation for the rest of its life.
Regularly examine your puppy to prepare it for vet examinations and procedures.
It’s important that your dog enjoys these examinations, otherwise you will create problems. Plus, your dog will feel loved.
Regularly:
Get your puppy used to you taking its food, bone or toy from it. If your puppy protests, firmly say "Drop it". When it drops the item, reward it with praise and a treat. Then return the item.
Can an older dog socialise a new puppy?
It takes a village to socialise a puppy.
It’s good to socialise your puppy with lots of dogs.
If your dog is not yet socialised and you encounter a pack of dogs in the park, leave, even if they are all friendly and harmless. One or two dogs at a time is best.
Even though your eight-week old puppy’s vaccinations are not yet complete, it needs to be with well-adjusted dogs that have been fully vaccinated.
There will still be a risk that your puppy could catch something, but the risk is worth it. To get a well-balanced dog you both need to start early.
Your puppy should not visit a dog park until it is fully vaccinated.
Wait until two weeks after your puppy has been fully vaccinated before taking it to a dog park. Even better: check that advice with your vet.
Your puppy should also be protected from fleas, ticks and worms.
A good quality puppy school can help socialise your dog provided:
Observe at least two sessions to ensure your puppy enjoys the experience. Also, make sure it gets plenty of experiences elsewhere.
When you walk your dog let it socialise with other dogs:
If there are no off-leash parks nearby, having it on a leash is the next best option.
If your dog is bullied, or is not enjoying the encounter, calmly intervene and take it elsewhere.
On a walk a dog needs to get used to:
Don't let these things scare your dog; that's counter-productive. And avoid all crowds until your dog is thoroughly used to people.
Socialisation occurs incrementally.
Don’t traumatise your dog by ‘throwing it in the deep end’. Begin small and work up. If your dog looks frightened, calmly leave.
Another good way to socialise your dog is to:
When you give your dog heaps of love, you benefit as much as it does. One day you will look back and see how important it was for both of you.
My dog is frightened by unexpected loud noises. What can I do?
Eventually your dog will show no concern about the noise. You might need a few refresher lessons coming up to firework season.
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You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
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You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
That's a good score for a difficult quiz!
(Though this quiz isn't that difficult.)
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
