A 'one stop source' featuring a wealth of animal health information and advice to help owners and potential owners to make decisions about their pets' healthcare.
The first year is extremely important in a puppy’s life, but the first 4-16 weeks are perhaps the most important. These first weeks can really define the puppy’s behaviour for the rest of its life. Here are some tips on how you can shape your puppy’s dog health future by good socialisation.
Meeting people
Meeting lots of different people is crucial for the puppy’s dog health prospects and ability to interact with other people and animals in general in the future. By taking him to other people’s houses or inviting friends around regularly the puppy will get used to different smells, sounds and behaviours, all hugely important in a dog’s life. Dogs are said to have a sense of smell that is more than a thousand times more sensitive than a human’s, so they largely use their noses to interpret their surroundings. But don’t overwhelm it – remember puppies, like children, need time to rest. And make sure that children are not over rough with your puppy too.
Attending a good puppy training class can be very helpful, but remember that your puppy may not be fully protected from some canine diseases if it has not had its full course of vaccination – speak to your vet for further advice. Some veterinary practices run puppy socialisation classes (puppy parties!) so you can meet other puppy owners and get some useful dog health advice while letting your puppy learn to meet others safely.
By exposing your puppy to a multitude of behaviours and people of all ages it will get used to the variety which in turn will promote friendly and sociable behaviour in the dog as an adult.
Going places
If you think about it, you will probably want to have a dog that you can easily bring out and about with you easily and safely in the future, whether it is on holiday or a walk through a city centre or the countryside. Your puppy should be introduced to lots of different places, from your parents’ house to the pavement to the field around the corner. You can carry it, take it in the car (keep him secure) or take those first short walks on the lead. The puppy will get used to different noises, smells and environments and will help him feel safe wherever you take him in the future. Gradually, he will get used to crowds, the sound of cars and traffic in general, and other noises that he might not be exposed to on a daily basis.
It’s worth seeking advice from your vet as your puppy may not be fully protected from certain diseases if its vaccination course is not complete.
Enjoy it
The most important aspect in promoting good dog health by socialisation is that learning needs to be enjoyable. If healthy, your puppy is probably very energetic and eager to learn anyway, but it’s important to keep encouraging good behaviour with rewards, either in the form of an activity he particularly enjoys or a treat. A good puppy training class is the perfect way for your puppy to learn – and for you to learn just how to properly reinforce good behaviour in a fun way and in a way your puppy will understand. Again, your vet practice might well be able to give good advice.
Pet Health Info provides useful advice on dog health issues and other pet health matters.