Puppy Socialization Checklist
Some thoughts:
Some thoughts:
An adult dog’s behavior is a result of his experiences as a puppy as well as genetics. During a puppy’s first 16 weeks of life we find the critical window, and only window, for true socialization. During this time puppy’s are sponges and more accepting of new environments and experiences and, if introduced appropriately and the right time (avoiding any stressful experiences during the fear periods), these exposures will prevent problem behaviors from developing. But it is imperative that the puppy's new owners CONTINUE this socialization and training after "gotcha day" at 12 weeks. (Click here to read more about the ramifications of ignoring a puppy.)
This is why we REQUIRE that every Pickwick Puppy complete an in-person Puppy Kindergarten class within 8 weeks after gotcha day. In fact, the puppy should be signed up and booked, and the class paid for PRIOR to gotcha day. The trainer needs to use positive training technics. We also REQUIRE that owners continue with training and socialization throughout the pug's life. This is ongoing. One short class will not prevent problem behaviors from developing down the line. It's the start to an awesome lifetime of bonding with your pup. It's the start to an awesome adventure because remember, a bored pug is a naughty pug!
A simple walk or 2 each day will not prevent boredom. You have to tire out their little brains with training. Every day. Several times a day. The sessions can be short -- in fact, they need to be short -- but they need to be provided. Yes, you can also train your pug to become a couch potato if that's your goal, but remember that this will take time and won't be possible for many years. If a couch potato is your goal, then get a cat, a stuffed toy, or adopt an older pug.
Remember, raising a puppy will require you to reschedule your life for awhile -- you'll need to be able to have time for the puppy throughout the day ....not just in the morning before work, and evening after work. We actually recommend taking a week off of work when first bringing a puppy home so that you can establish a new routine. We also recommend that the puppy owners hire a pet sitter to work with the puppy in the middle of the day if work will require ignoring the puppy for more than a couple of hours. Not just a potty break, but a training and a snuggle break. This demanding "puppy schedule" will not last forever but problem behavior that results from boredom WILL last forever and all because a puppy did not receive the mental stimulus it needed for just a few months of its life.)
Socialization and training does not create a "cookie cutter" dog. Just as every human thumb print is unique, every puppy has its own, unique personality. Each puppy will have its own unique challenges, quirks, and awesome traits that form its personality. Some puppies will be more outgoing and bold, others will be more thoughtful and reserved. Some will be more chatty, and others will be champions at the furry eyeball. Some will be faster to 100% master (ok, 88%) housetraining. Some will get along with strange dogs with noses better than others. ALL pugs, though, will NEVER be a lab or a golden retriever so if you are expecting a 12 week old pug puppy to . . . .
Adequate and appropriate socialization and training DOES, however, help the puppy become the best version of himself possible. It helps the puppy be able to "bounce back" from all of those surprises life will present. It develops the "so what" factor which is only possible during those first 16 weeks of the critical socialization period.
A few things to keep in mind:
Here is a checklist of some things we do with each puppy before “gotcha day” at 12 weeks. Additionally, there are some suggestions in italics that the new puppy owner might try to do a week after the final (3rd) round of vaccinations.
This is why we REQUIRE that every Pickwick Puppy complete an in-person Puppy Kindergarten class within 8 weeks after gotcha day. In fact, the puppy should be signed up and booked, and the class paid for PRIOR to gotcha day. The trainer needs to use positive training technics. We also REQUIRE that owners continue with training and socialization throughout the pug's life. This is ongoing. One short class will not prevent problem behaviors from developing down the line. It's the start to an awesome lifetime of bonding with your pup. It's the start to an awesome adventure because remember, a bored pug is a naughty pug!
A simple walk or 2 each day will not prevent boredom. You have to tire out their little brains with training. Every day. Several times a day. The sessions can be short -- in fact, they need to be short -- but they need to be provided. Yes, you can also train your pug to become a couch potato if that's your goal, but remember that this will take time and won't be possible for many years. If a couch potato is your goal, then get a cat, a stuffed toy, or adopt an older pug.
Remember, raising a puppy will require you to reschedule your life for awhile -- you'll need to be able to have time for the puppy throughout the day ....not just in the morning before work, and evening after work. We actually recommend taking a week off of work when first bringing a puppy home so that you can establish a new routine. We also recommend that the puppy owners hire a pet sitter to work with the puppy in the middle of the day if work will require ignoring the puppy for more than a couple of hours. Not just a potty break, but a training and a snuggle break. This demanding "puppy schedule" will not last forever but problem behavior that results from boredom WILL last forever and all because a puppy did not receive the mental stimulus it needed for just a few months of its life.)
Socialization and training does not create a "cookie cutter" dog. Just as every human thumb print is unique, every puppy has its own, unique personality. Each puppy will have its own unique challenges, quirks, and awesome traits that form its personality. Some puppies will be more outgoing and bold, others will be more thoughtful and reserved. Some will be more chatty, and others will be champions at the furry eyeball. Some will be faster to 100% master (ok, 88%) housetraining. Some will get along with strange dogs with noses better than others. ALL pugs, though, will NEVER be a lab or a golden retriever so if you are expecting a 12 week old pug puppy to . . . .
- always come when called
- always sit for greetings
- always obey every command eagerly
- always complete every command without balking or delay
Adequate and appropriate socialization and training DOES, however, help the puppy become the best version of himself possible. It helps the puppy be able to "bounce back" from all of those surprises life will present. It develops the "so what" factor which is only possible during those first 16 weeks of the critical socialization period.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Exposure alone is not socialization
- Puppy is the one who determines if an instruction or experience was positive, not the human.
- A puppy should NEVER be forced into an interaction.
- More is not necessarily best. The uniqueness of each experience, and the appropriateness of the experience is more important than the "amount" of experiences. For example, if a puppy met (saw) 300 people of the same age and hair color and sex, that would not be as effective as if it met, interacted with, and had a positive experience with 10, or even just 5, quite diverse people – from toddlers, to seniors, men with beards, to woman with long fingernails. Or 10 trips to Home Depot would not be as effective as 3 trips to 3 different environments (say, a pub, a church, and Home Depot). More is not necessarily better.
Here is a checklist of some things we do with each puppy before “gotcha day” at 12 weeks. Additionally, there are some suggestions in italics that the new puppy owner might try to do a week after the final (3rd) round of vaccinations.
Printable download file:
| socialization_checklist.pdf |
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