Start Training and Socializing Your Puppy Right Away!
Don't wait for bad behaviors to start. People often ask if it's too early to train their
puppies when they get them. Puppies have a critical window of socialization that ends at around 16 weeks. This
means that it's important for them to have lots of positive experiences as early as possible with all kinds of people,
including children, men, and strangers, to avoid neophobia, and fearful and aggressive behavior towards humans as they
grow older.
It's
also important for your puppy to be socialized around other dogs, but please do not take your puppy to the dog park where you may expose your puppy to
health hazards and unpredictable dogs. Your puppy needs to play with other puppies, and older dependable dogs that
have excellent dog-dog manners. A bad experience with another dog can have negative consequences
for your puppy.
If
you schedule private
lessons we may be able to arrange for your puppy
to socialize and play with our 5 year old Standard Poodle, Zorro, that has excellent dog manners and is extremely gentle with
little puppies and toy breeds. Our new Standard Poodle, Cindy Lou, who is an adolescent, is also very dog-friendly and
may be able to socialize with your puppy as well. We can also recommend other socialization opportunities.
