What is puppy socialization and why is it so important?
When you teach a child to swim, you start by dipping his toes in the water, not throwing him into the deep end. Gradual preparation is also important for puppies as they learn to navigate new experiences. Karen Sueda is a Veterinary Behaviorist at the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. She says, “puppies go through a socialization period; it’s actually a window of opportunity where puppies are a lot more open and easily influenced, so to speak, about all those experiences that they’re going to encounter later in life.” When baby Bingo is between four and fourteen weeks of age, familiarize him with the objects, people, and places that he’ll encounter later in life. This prep phase will help him avoid developing fear and anxiety as an adult. – Dr.
