Puppy socialisation is a program that exposes your labrador puppy to new experiences beginning at 8 weeks of age. Weeks 8 to 16 of a puppies life are the first ‘imprint period’. A deliberate socialisation program should occur while your puppy is making positive connections and positive associations with their new experiences. Labrador puppies are always observing and always learning. Your goal is to help them focus in every situation, no matter what distractions come their way.
I like to take 8 week old puppies to outdoor coffee shops with slow moving traffic close by. This allows me to control and regulate the new experience for my labrador puppy.
Be aware that ‘trauma’ during the ‘imprint period’ can have a serious impact on the emotional well-being of your puppy. For example, I don’t want them exposed to aggressive dogs. You don’t want your puppy to develop dog to dog and /or dog to people aggression or timidity.
The 3 general areas of exposure should be 1. Other dogs, 2. People, 3. Vehicles & traffic.
With regular expose to these things, your labrador will become confident and relaxed with new experiences.
In a new situation, watch your puppies body language. Calmly withdraw a little from the situation if your dog shows any sign of anxiety or stress. Don’t normalise your puppies anxiety by comforting them. Just calmly draw back a little. This will be your starting point for your next occasion.
Some Labradors can become over-excited, some will be cautious, and others will take everything in their stride. If you are tense, your puppy will be tense. If you are calm then your puppy will be easier to settle. Your dog will take their que from you.
Be sure to praise and reward your puppy as they meet new situations and experiences. Reward them for the behaviours you are wanting to see. Find an excuse to reward them when they calmly meet people, dogs, vehicles & traffic. Don’t push you labrador puppy too far, too soon. And end each session on a positive high.
There is a short window of opportunity during the ‘imprint period’ while your puppy’s inquisitive sociability outweighs fear. During this ‘imprint period’ you should repeatedly expose your labrador puppy to everything you want them accept as an mature dog. Expose your puppy to different people, dogs, vehicles and places.
Between nine months and twelve months, your puppy will again show signs of insecurity and anxiety. You should continue to expose them to things they are not totally comfortable with.
A socialized dog is calm, confident and easy to train. Unsocialisd dogs don’t adjust easily to new experiences or changes in their lives. An unsocialised dog might bark and pull when they meet unfamiliar situations.
There are so many opportunities for your puppy to meet the world in a positive way. And as your puppy matures, your socialisation program shouldn’t stop. Vary and increase your dogs experiences to keep their confidence high.