PUPPY DEVELOPMENT • TRAINING INSIGHTS
Why positive experiences matter more than the number of interactions a dog has.
Socialisation is often described as letting a puppy meet as many dogs and people as possible. In practice, healthy early development involves much more than the number of greetings a puppy experiences.
Puppies are learning about different environments, sounds, surfaces, people, animals and everyday events. The quality of those experiences matters. Exposure that is overwhelming or frightening may not produce the confidence owners hoped to encourage.
Your puppy can learn to feel comfortable around other dogs without greeting them. Watching calmly from a suitable distance is valuable too.
The early socialisation period matters, but positive learning continues as dogs grow. Choose experiences that suit your dog and watch for discomfort. The aim is to help them feel secure, rather than expect them to greet everyone.
Further reading: AVSAB position statement on puppy socialisation.
Individualised training and behaviour support
Mizz Pawz provides reward-based dog training and behaviour support across Lanarkshire, with online sessions available across the UK.
