Puppy Socialisation - Here's What Your Breeder Should Be Doing BEFORE You Take Your Pup Home!
Puppy Socialisation & Your Breeder
Getting a puppy is becoming a minefield! With desirable breeds becoming more expensive in price and harder to find, more people are falling into the trap of buying from a puppy farm or an unlicensed breeder. The trouble with this is you may end up with a dog that has health conditions or illnesses that may not show for the first few weeks, but it’s also extremely likely your new puppy will not been properly socialised.
Puppies have a 16 week socialisation window which is crucial to their development moving forward. This window usually closes between 12-20 weeks, but in some breeds its as early as 8 weeks so don’t delay! Socialisation isn’t just about meeting other dogs and people, it’s about positively experiencing different scents, sights, textures and sounds. A well educated and responsible breeder will have done most, if not all of these things:-
DAY ONE - The puppies should be bred and raised in a safe, clean family home, in a whelping box or pen. Plenty of vet bedding should be in the box (this is useful for scent swapping later). The puppies should have been handled gently by humans, from day one.
DAY FIVE - The puppies should be introduced to some different textures like fake grass and rubber matting, there should also be some toys that move or make a sound. The puppies should gradually have noises played to them like fireworks or vacuum noises. The breeder should take written observations of each pup which will eventually be shared with the new owners.
FIVE WEEKS - At 5 weeks the pups should be introduced to the outside world. An outdoor pen with things like ramps, cones, balls and tunnels. Also short car trips to get them use to travelling (safely in a crate).
SIX WEEKS - At 6 weeks the puppies can meet potential guardians. At this point the breeder will share observations about each pup and discuss their personalities. The breeder would also encourage new guardians do scent swapping. (Bring an old t-shirt that smells of you for the puppy to get used to. Take some of the puppy’s vet bed home with you to put in the puppy’s new bed/crate).
EIGHT WEEKS - At 8 weeks the new guardians will take over and the rest is on you! Your breeder should set you up for success by giving you things like a diet sheet, a vet report (they should be micro-chipped and had their first vaccinations) socialisation milestone sheet, vet bed, puppy food, and possibly things like a toy or lickimat. Some breeders have support groups for their clients to keep in touch and share advice.
By this point you should have already done your research on the breed, as well as gained basic knowledge in modern dog training and body language. There’s a great book any potential dog owner should get called ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeazy’ - you can buy it here for just £4. It’s also a good idea to enroll in puppy classes BEFORE you get your dog as they can be booked up weeks or months in advance (especially my top three local ladies!) Make sure to find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement and modern training techniques. If you’re unsure, you can always ask to visit a class before you get your puppy to see if its right for you. Look out for trainers who are patient and have a full bag of treats, and stay away from those who discourage treats and use any form of force!
My top three recommended puppy training classes are with:
Clicking with Canines, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge & the surrounding villages
Pooches Galore, Harrogate
Kat’s Dogs, Harrogate
You can find more info on how to find a reputable breeder here: -
RSPCA - Finding the Right Breeder