Socializing a Puppy

Have you recently adopted a puppy? Congratulations! Your furry pal is bound to keep you smiling with his adorable antics. One thing that is very important for young dogs is socialization. A local San Antonio, TX vet offers some tips on this below. 

What is Socialization?

Socializing is the term for letting baby animals get used to being around people. With dogs, you also want to let Fido explore different environments and interact with other dogs. Socialization is key to helping dogs form an open opinion about the world. Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized are much more likely to be wary and suspicious of new places and faces, and have higher odds of being aggressive. Socializing has to be done while your canine buddy is still very little. By the time that he is about 3 months old, that window of opportunity will begin to close.

Doggy Socialization

It’s also important for Fido to learn how to run with the pack. Having your canine buddy spend time with polite, friendly dogs is the best way to do this. Fido’s buddies will naturally teach him the do’s and don’ts of pack behavior. Doggy daycare is great for this! 

Socializing While Social Distancing

In many cases, socialization happens without much effort. Puppies are adorable! If you walk Fido in a busy park or street, people will probably naturally want to pet him. Another common method is to have people stop over to pet and play with the little guy. Of course, social distancing guidelines make this trickier. Needless to say, this isn’t the best year to take your pet to a crowded park or event. However, you may be able to have a few people over for a small outdoor gathering, such as a barbeque. Just follow local ordinances and best practices, and err on the side of caution. You can also give your dog a variety of experiences by having people video call him. Give your pooch treats and affection while your friends talk to him. It’s better than nothing! Taking your furry buddy to trails will also help. Your pet will still experience changes of scenery, and pick up the scents of other people. 

Do you want to learn more about doggy daycare? Please reach out to us, your local San Antonio, TX vet clinic, for all of your pet’s boarding, daycare, and veterinary care needs.