{"id":1095,"date":"2020-05-28T14:49:24","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T18:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=1095"},"modified":"2020-05-28T14:49:24","modified_gmt":"2020-05-28T18:49:24","slug":"a-six-foot-bubble-puppy-socialization-in-the-age-of-social-distancing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/a-six-foot-bubble-puppy-socialization-in-the-age-of-social-distancing\/","title":{"rendered":"A Six-Foot Bubble: Puppy Socialization in the Age of Social Distancing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether you adopted a puppy before stay-at-home orders came through, or you made the decision shortly thereafter, we applaud you. Never before have puppy owners been able to spend so much time with their adoptees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite having tons of fun together at home, you know you have a responsibility to introduce your puppy to the outside world. The problem with that is, of course, social distancing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your impressionable, curious, and eager puppy has a lot to learn, and with this special edition of puppy socialization, you can help them get there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Who Would Have Thought?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many shelters around the country recently celebrated their empty kennels. With so many people staying at home, last minute fosters and adoptions were finalized. The results have been amazing, as pets found themselves in the care of round the clock home owners, and people found instant companionship during an otherwise isolating and lonely time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in the long run, limited exposure to the outside world can have significant drawbacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Puppy Socialization Does<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Puppy socialization builds a foundation for a dog to learn that it\u2019s okay to experience new things. Without it, your puppy may enter adulthood potentially unsure of the world around them. Giving them positive, rewarding opportunities is the key to long term confidence and peace of mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Move Ahead<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A puppy\u2019s brain grows about 80% between 4 weeks of age and 4 months. Around their seventh week, puppies enter the secondary socialization period. They are open to new experiences and have little fear. This period lasts until a puppy is about 12 weeks old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Distancing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your puppy may want to meet everyone they see, but there\u2019s no guarantee that\u2019s safe to do or something remotely welcomed by strangers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t go out in public with your dog (if permitted). As long as you are safely distanced from strangers and other animals<\/a> you can still provide your puppy with the opportunity to build new skills. Since you\u2019ll want to minimize direct contact with anyone outside your household, this could also introduce basic obedience training<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n