Socialisation for pre-vaccination puppies

Puppies require adequate socialisation to become well-rounded, confident adult dogs. Puppies who do not receive adequate socialisation are more likely to develop behavioural issues as they mature (McEvoy et al., 2022).

A study of patient records from veterinary practices in England from 2009 to 2014 found that undesirable behaviours, particularly aggression, are a proportionally high risk factor for euthanasia in young dogs under three years of age (Boyd et al., 2018). So, a lack of socialisation poses a significant welfare issue for dogs, owners and, potentially, veterinary staff.

The role of the veterinary professional

A puppy’s socialisation period starts when they are around three to four weeks old and gradually tapers off at around 12 to 14 weeks (Scott and Fuller, 1965). If owners receive sound advice from a reputable source when they first bring home their puppy (usually around eight weeks of age), there is a window of opportunity of approximately four to six weeks before the socialisation period ends.

This window overlaps a period of vulnerability to disease occurring before vaccinations are complete. Depending on the vaccination protocol, or if vaccinations are delayed or restarted due to illness, some puppies may not be fully immunised until after the socialisation period has ended. It is the author’s experience that owners are rarely advised on ways to appropriately and safely socialise their puppy during this period. They are also often unaware that they can, and should, be doing so.

If owners receive sound advice from a reputable source when they first bring home their puppy […] there is a window of opportunity of approximately four to six weeks before the socialisation period ends

The veterinary team is often the first port of call for new puppy owners seeking advice relating to their pet’s physical and emotional health and well-being. Many owners do not seek the advice of a trainer until their puppy is fully vaccinated and ready to attend training classes. This means the veterinary team is perfectly placed to advise new puppy owners regarding appropriate socialisation solutions that keep the puppy at minimal risk during this period of vulnerability to disease.

What is socialisation?

The canine socialisation period is a sensitive period in a puppy’s life when they learn what is safe and what is potentially unsafe. During this period, connections rapidly form in the brain, and negative associations may trigger a stress response. Equally, if a puppy receives no exposure to a situation at all, connections cannot form, so the puppy will likely perceive the situation as scary (Hekman, 2023).

The more a puppy learns to associate novelty with positive outcomes, eg fun things in life such as treats or play, the more likely they are to embrace exposure to new situations in the future. This means they will be less likely to be worried or concerned about experiences they have not previously encountered.

The more a puppy learns to associate novelty with positive outcomes […] the more likely they are to embrace exposure to new situations in the future

Socialisation programmes

An adequate socialisation programme should introduce puppies to the sounds, sights, smells, environments and social interactions they are likely to encounter as adults (Scott and Fuller, 1965). Crucially, these experiences should be perceived as positive by the puppy.

But what does this mean in reality? Firstly, keeping a puppy in the house and not exposing them to the outside world until after the age of 12 weeks will likely lead to the development of fear responses and behavioural issues later down the line. Secondly, exposure to novelties at a level that is worrying for the puppy can lead to the development of fear responses, so socialisation experiences should be tailored to the individual.

Keeping a puppy in the house and not exposing them to the outside world until after the age of 12 weeks will likely lead to the development of fear responses and behavioural issues

So, what simple advice can be given to owners by the veterinary team to ensure their puppy is getting adequate and appropriate socialisation during the latter stages of this sensitive period (8 to 14 weeks) and before they are fully vaccinated?

Exposure to novelty at home

Exposure to different sounds

Many dogs show signs of worry caused by sounds such as fireworks and thunder – this is often due to a lack of appropriate exposure at a young age. Playing sounds to young puppies while they enjoy their favourite activities, eg playing with toys or eating dinner, can help combat this.

Owners can use sound CDs, apps or free online programmes that include noises such as gunfire, babies crying, children playing/screaming and traffic noises.

Meeting a variety of people

Puppies may not be able to be taken on walks pre-vaccination, but they can safely meet new people in the home. Puppies need to learn about a variety of different people, all the while taking care not to overwhelm them.

Owners can also be encouraged to dress up and make themselves appear different by wearing hats, glasses, bike helmets, hoodies, umbrellas, etc. Anything that makes them look unusual and different as they greet their puppy, play with them or give them treats can help create positive associations with unusual situations.

Exposure to new scents

A dog’s world revolves around scent, and exposure to new scents is a great way to provide mental stimulation and novel enrichment – so bring the outside inside!

Has the owner got a friend with a cat? Can they ask to borrow a blanket the cat has rested on for their puppy to sniff? When the post arrives, they might allow their puppy to sniff and investigate the packing from any deliveries, and, likewise, when shopping is brought home.

A dog’s world revolves around scent, and exposure to new scents is a great way to provide mental stimulation and novel enrichment – so bring the outside inside

Walking on different textures

Exposing the puppy to a variety of textures it’s likely to encounter builds confidence and gets them used to feeling unusual textures underfoot. Carpet, rugs, laminate flooring, tile and grass, as well as more novel and unusual textures such as sand, AstroTurf, bubble wrap, tin foil or a yoga mat, are great examples.

Novel activities

Owners can be encouraged to consider ways to create novel activities, for example placing items that make a noise when they move inside a tub with treats scattered throughout. As the puppy forages for treats, the items move around and make noise. This teaches the puppy that investigating unusual situations will lead to a reward.

Many household items can be used as food dispensers that make noise, move in unusual ways and provide alternative textures to traditional rubber or plastic food toys. Examples include cardboard boxes, toilet roll inner tubes or empty drinks bottles.

Safe exposure to the outside world

Carrying puppy

Pre-vaccinations, puppies may be at risk if placed on the floor, but they can still experience the world from the safety of their owner’s arms. If owners prefer, they may consider using a carry bag/papoose instead, although it is important that the puppy is introduced to this carefully and does not find this stressful.

Beneficial socialisation experiences can include (but are not limited to):

• Carrying the puppy around local walking locations, eg woods, beaches, heathland or by the road, thus exposing them to different environments and traffic 
• Sitting at a dog-friendly pub or café 
• Visiting a garden centre or the local pet shop
• Going to the veterinary practice for some treats

In the car

Another way for owners to get puppies out and about safely is by taking them to places in the car. Owners can park up somewhere so that their puppy can sit in the boot and watch the world go by. This might be at a supermarket (watching lots of people and trolleys pass by), near the local train station to listen to the trains or perhaps going to the local playing fields when children are playing football. 

Again, to ensure a positive experience, it is crucial that the puppy is happy and relaxed in the car and does not perceive this as stressful. Furthermore, owners should be advised that puppies tire easily, so it is important that these experiences and encounters are kept short and sweet, with plenty of time to rest.

Socialising with other dogs

Puppies learn canine social skills from other dogs, so encounters with other well-socialised adult dogs can help them develop into confident and robust individuals.

Owners should be encouraged to let their puppies interact with fully vaccinated dogs in a private garden to reduce the risks as much as possible. Once again, the importance of ceasing interactions if they become overwhelming should be highlighted. A bad experience with another dog during this developmental stage can often be worse than a lack of exposure. 

Seeking preventative advice and support

We need to normalise puppy owners seeking advice from appropriately qualified professionals in the early stages of development rather than waiting for when things start to go wrong, not least because following preventative advice is easier than dealing with a problem once it has arisen. It also requires less demand on owners’ time and financial and emotional resources.

We need to normalise puppy owners seeking advice from appropriately qualified professionals in the early stages of development rather than waiting for when things start to go wrong

Advice should be provided by someone trained to understand the developmental needs of young puppies, who understands how to read canine body language appropriately and who is able to convey these messages to owners in a way that is easy to understand. Unfortunately, it is easy for owners to receive poor and sometimes damaging advice from individuals as the dog training and behaviour industry currently remains unregulated. The veterinary team can help puppy owners seek appropriate advice by referring to trainers and behaviourists who have been assessed to a high standard of knowledge, understanding and practical skill.

Attending well-run training and socialisation classes can be exceptionally helpful, but owners often require advice on how to appropriately socialise and ensure those experiences are positive much earlier. Nowadays, however, many training and behaviour practitioners have the ability to go to the owner’s home or provide advice via Zoom.