· By Minou Tpain
Author: Denise Partlow
Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas
We have learned socialization is more about exposure and not interaction, but is it important to provide dog-to-dog interaction for your puppy?
Yes, I believe it is but it should be done safely. it is detrimental to your dog’s behavior to expose him to other dogs during the socialization period; which can start as early as three weeks of age.
Most of us don’t have our puppies at that young of an age, that’s why it’s important to choose a breeder that is responsible and is providing this sort of stimuli to your puppy-fortunately, most of them come from a litter with littermates, where dogs will begin to develop appropriate social behaviors.
But once you acquire the dog, typically at around eight weeks of age, it’s important that you continue to provide your puppy with dog interactions. But this doesn’t mean throw your puppy into a daycare or a dog park, in fact you will need to take many precautions.
Find a few dogs that are healthy & have had their immunizations and set up play dates that way. Make sure you are in a clean environment, preferably a home. It’s also important to pay attention to the temperament of the dogs you are choosing as playmates. You’ll want a dog that is cooperative and doesn’t exhibit aggression.
Dogs that are isolated from other dogs during this period, typically are aggressive towards other dogs and can become excessively attached to their humans.
So, yes, it is important your puppy has some dog interaction-but just some. There is no need to set up a playtime with every dog you meet and there is definitely no need to allow your puppy to greet dogs when out for a walk. You just want to provide them with some opportunities to meet and play with their own kind in a safe and controlled setting.
