Welcome and thank y'all for being here!
(I live in Texas, in the US, so some of this post may not be applicable in other countries. I don't know the laws about dogs in most states, let alone other countries, but I hope you enjoy this post nonetheless.)
It was been two weeks and two days today, since we brought home our new pug puppy, Willow.
We also have a full grown husky named Odin.
We got him about a year and a half ago; a rescue, rejected and rejected, basically for being a typical husky. But today I'm talking about puppy socialization. Taking in an adult dog will be another day.
I am not an expert on dogs or puppies, but I have a little experience with my own puppies and I have two kids.
(Sometimes the same rules apply for children and puppies.)
Socialization is crucial for a well rounded dog. If you are getting a dog at the puppy stage, socialization is important for their development. If a puppy is well socialized with other dogs, of different sizes, and a variety of people, your puppy can grow to be the type of dog that accepts new comers into the home and will not be aggressive towards other dogs when an adult.
This of course, is not guaranteed even if you socialize it often. Your puppy's personality is a factor that will be a determinant in what dog it will grow into. Breed can also be a factor for personality. Small breeds often have a domineering attitude,
usual due to having to "prove" themselves for self-preservation.
First a little background on my experience with puppies. When I was a child, we had outdoor dogs all the time and we had them all from being a puppy.
Two of our dogs went to live with my uncle on his ranch when they became around a year old; I was around eight. I cannot remember how old I was when my brother and I shouted at my parents to stop and see the chow-lab mix puppies someone was selling at the mall parking lot. We picked a white one and named him Snowball.
He was also an outdoor dog. All our pets were outdoor pets because of my mom; she didn't want pets inside the house.
My twelfth birthday was closing in and I wanted a toy poodle. I had three aunts with poodles and I wanted one of my own. My parents gave in and my mom accepted having a pet inside the house. We found a toy-miniature poodle in a near by city and I had my very own puppy. She was white and I named her Daphnie.
Daphnie slept in my bed with me and I took care of her myself. This was the very first pet that was all my own. I went through house training, loss of puppy teeth, and heat cycles with her. This was before we had the internet in our home, so I had a book I bought about toy poodles [link], and I rented videos about puppies and poodles.
I learned how to speak to her and how to love her without hurting her. Again, she was my very own first puppy. I took care of her until I got married and moved out with my husband. Sadly, we had to leave her at my parents' home because our apartment didn't allow pets. My oldest daughter remembers her still. Daphnie lived to almost be fifteen years old.
Now, I mentioned children and puppies having similar rules and it's true. If you have children, or have sat for children, think of the rules you give them, and they are very similar to rules you give to your puppy. Most of what is listed on the info-graph is similar to how you socialize a small child.
During this time where some states have a mandate to wear a mask at all public spaces, and parks are shutting down again, or still are, you can still find places to socialize your puppy.
I hope this helps you to know how to socialize your puppies, even during these trying times.
Thanks for visiting! See y'all soon!
-Ms Curly Texan
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