How to Socialize Puppy Before Shots?

Having a new puppy can be exciting, but also scary as you want to make sure they have the best experiences possible while at the same time keeping them safe. One of the most important things you can do for your puppy is to get them socialized. This keeps them from developing potential behavioral problems, but is it safe to socialize your puppy if they haven't had their vaccinations yet?

Puppies can be socialized before receiving their full set of vaccinations with certain precautions. Safe socialization includes handling them often and exposing them to common household noises and other controlled activities. When socializing a puppy, the goal is to build positive associations.

Going forward, we will discuss more in detail how you can help your puppy build these positive associations, socialization techniques, the goals of socializing your puppy, and the dos and don'ts of socializing a puppy that isn't fully vaccinated.

Why is it Important to Socialize Your Puppy?

Socializing your puppy while it is young is arguably one of the best things you can do for them to have a long and enjoyable life. It is recommended that puppies be socialized before their vaccination series is complete at 16 weeks. The American Kennel Club states that,

Socialization is not just making sure that your dog is friendly and comfortable with a variety of things, it also helps dogs remain calm and not get overstimulated when in new places or meeting new people.

I am sure that most of us have been greeted by an over-enthusiastic dog. While it can be cute and heartwarming to see a dog that is so excited to see you, it can turn into a problem if they knock you over. One trainer explains the goal of socialization like this,

What You Should Know About Puppy Vaccines

Just like any other baby, puppies are born with a few defenses and also receive antibodies from their mother's milk through nursing. These antibodies naturally decrease in a puppy's body as they drink less milk, which is why your puppy needs vaccines- to keep the safe no matter what level of antibodies they have from their mother.

Puppy vaccinations are done in a series of injections starting at around 6-8 weeks and lasting until they are 16 weeks old and aren't considered fully vaccinated or protected until they receive all of the necessary boosters.

How Do I Socialize My Puppy Before Vaccinations?

Now that we've covered the background information on socialization and vaccines, let's talk about what you can do to socialize your puppy before their vaccinations.

Before your puppy gets its first vaccine, you can start socializing them within the safety of your home. You can expose your puppy to common household noises and appliances like the vacuum or hairdryer.

While socializing your puppy, make sure that they are comfortable and not forced to interact with the new object or situation, and reward them with plenty of treats so that they know that they are safe and doing well.

Another option for in-house socialization is exposing them to random objects such as hats or Halloween costumes. If the puppy won't be exposed to loud noises like fireworks or thunder, you can make your puppy more comfortable with this by playing YouTube videos with the noises.

After your puppy has received their first round of shots at 7-8 weeks, it can start to widen its social circle. Many pet care businesses offer socialization classes for young puppies from 7-8 weeks old so that they can interact with other puppies in a safe environment. You will need to get your puppy their first shot at least a week before the first class and then keep your puppy up to date on their vaccines throughout the duration of the class.

At this point, you can also start to take your dog to other locations. You don't want to go anywhere that many dogs frequent, such as a pet store, but you can take them to retail or home improvement stores and shopping malls.

In these areas, they will be able to interact with a variety of people and discover new sights and sounds like kiosks, blinking lights, and various sounds. If you are still worried about taking your puppy out, you can keep them safe by taking them out in a sling or a stroller or by carrying them through unsafe areas.

If you don't want to go out, the alternative is to host a party in your home. You can invite friends and neighbors over that are a variety of ages, from older people with walkers to children. Your friends could also bring over their dogs if they are well behaved and fully vaccinated.

What Should My Puppy Be Accustomed to Through Socialization?

By the time they are 16 weeks old, puppies should be accustomed to and have minimal reactions to the following things:

• People running, biking, or skating
• A variety of different surfaces such as gravel, tile, slippery floors, uneven ground, etc.
• People using wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches
• Common household noises and appliances (washer, dryer, vacuum, broom, banging pans)
• Different materials such as plastic or velcro
• A variety of people including children
• Blowing wind
• Lawn mowers
• Umbrellas
• Tents
• Chairs
• Wind
• Rain
• Riding in the car
• Elevators
• Sprinklers and hoses
• Heights
• Other dogs or animals
• Passing traffic

What Should I Avoid Doing Before My Puppy is Vaccinated?

Here is a list of things that you and your puppy should avoid before they are vaccinated:

• Dog parks
• Pet stores
• Stagnant water or puddles
• Feces
• Dogs of unknown vaccine status

These are all areas or things that a puppy should avoid to keep from getting sick before they have built up the proper defenses through their vaccinations.

Cindy J.

Cindy is a prolific writer and online researcher who can't imagine life without dogs. There is scarcely a dog topic she has not researched or written about. Her love for dogs and helping dog parents is evident by the thousands of dogtemperament.com visitors who read her articles monthly. Most of all, each topic Cindy writes on helps forge a stronger bond and understanding between her and her happy Catahoula Leopard Dog Jossie.