Socialization, an important part of choosing a breeder and raising a puppy.
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Socialization is another key piece of the puzzle when it comes to choosing your breeder and raising your puppy.
Puppy Socialization Starts with the Breeder
Puppies
learn from their environments and experiences. It is a breeder’s responsibility to ensure that puppies are exposed to as many different sights, sounds, textures, smells, animals, and people as possible in the first 10-12 weeks of their lives. Exposure should always be carefully controlled to ensure that the experiences are positive and are not placing the puppies at risk.
The
best and easiest way for puppies to be exposed to normal sounds of home
life is for them to be whelped and raised in a home environment.
Ideally, their whelping box and puppy “room” will be in a central location of the home so that the puppies get to experience regular home life while in a safe environment. They get used to the sounds of vacuum cleaners, other animals, people talking, tvs, radios, cooking and smells. They also get exposed to the silence that regularly occurs in a
home at night while the family and other pets are sleeping. Puppies should remain inside the breeder’s home until they are picked up by their families. Puppies who are whelped outdoors or moved outdoors before going home with their new families will not receive the necessary socialization. Breeders who do not keep the puppies in their homes should be avoided.
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| An indoor whelping/puppy play area at Jalynn Kennels in Ontario |
Once the puppies are old enough they should be allowed supervised time out of their puppy room to explore the house. The breeder’s home should be a safe environment with no obvious dangers. If you wouldn’t let your toddler crawl around their home then you definitely should think twice about buying a puppy from them. Objects of all shapes, sizes and sounds should be included in the puppy room and around the house to allow for the pups to learn. Some breeders also create their own “adventure boxes” which includes multiple items that offer different sounds, shapes, textures, and colours to provide a great tactile experience.
Shown in
this video are puppies at Even Keel Newfoundlands in Colorado playing in
their adventure box.
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| Pups explore a vacuum at Even Keel Newfoundlands in Colorado |
Spending time outdoors is also very important so that the puppies learn about the sights, sounds, and smells that exist outside. They should be encouraged to go to the bathroom, play, run around and explore safe areas of the yard. If the weather is nice outside then a baby pool with water in it can be used to expose the puppies to playing in the water. Puppies should always be supervised while outside and should never be left alone for long periods. Puppies should also not be left to sleep outside overnight, regardless of their age or time of year.
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| It's never too early to start water training at Even Keel Newfoundlands in Colorado |
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| Pups going for their first canoe ride at Heartsease Newfoundlands in BC |
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| Early water training at Jalynn Kennels in Ontario |
This great article talks about the different types of socialization that help puppies grow into well-rounded adults https://www.
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| Puppy playtime in the yard at Ashmoor Newfoundlands in Ontario |
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| Outside playtime with mom at Nautica Newfoundlands in Alberta |
Other
animals in the home should also get to spend time with the puppies.
Exposure to other dogs, cats, rabbits, or birds goes a long way to
teaching the puppy how to act appropriately and be ok around animals of
different sizes and types. If the breeder does not have multiple types
of animals that is ok, their families can do this socialization if they
need to once the puppy is home with them.
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| The resident cat patiently allows pups to visit at Kodiak Acres in CT |
This adorable video shows newf pups meeting the resident cat at Vent du Nord Newfoundlands in Saskatchewan. Looks like the cat is the one in charge here!
Breeders
will also have visitors over to interact with the puppies. There is no set rule as to what age visitors are allowed, each breeder has their own preference. The more people the puppies meet the more comfortable they will be with strangers. Children should also be included in the mix of visitors to help the puppies learn that people come in all shapes and sizes.
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| Socialization with children at Ashmoor Newfoundlands in Ontario |
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| Outdoor play and socialization at Nautica Newfoundlands in Alberta |
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| Puppies "Skyping" as part of their socialization experience at Heartsease Newfoundlands in BC |
Early socialization is a critical step towards ensuring that your puppy has the best start in life. If the breeder you are considering does not feel that socialization through living in a home environment is important then we highly recommend selecting a different breeder. Not all breeders are alike and it is important that you ask them about where their puppies are housed and what steps the breeder takes to ensure they are well socialized before going to your home.
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| Wagon of pups at Sea Worthy Newfoundlands in CT |
Stay tuned for the next blog Puppy Socialization Continues – An Owner’s Responsibility
Puppy play time, exploring new textures and experiences at Even Keel Newfoundlands in Colorado.
