AVSAB Posto StattO Pupp Soalzato

The PrimAry And mOST imPOrTAnT

time or pu

ppy socialization is the frst threemonths o lie.

1, 2

During this time puppiesshould be exposed to as many new people,animals, stimuli and environments as can beachieved saely andwithout causing over-stimulation maniestedas excessive ear, with-drawal or avoidancebehavior.

For thisreason, the AmericanVeterinary Societyof Animal Behaviorbelieves that it shouldbe the standard of carefor puppies to receivesuch socializationbefore they are fullyvaccinated.

Because the frstthree months are the period when sociabilityoutweighs ear, this is the primary window o opportunity or puppies to adapt to new people,animals, and experiences. Incomplete or im-proper socialization during this important timecan increase the risk o behavioral problemslater in lie including ear, avoidance, and/oraggression. Behavioral problems are the greatestthreat to the owner-dogbond. In act, behavioralproblems are the num-ber one cause o relin-quishment to shelters.

Behavioral issues, notinectious diseases, arethe number one causeo death or dogs underthree years o age. While puppies’ im-mune systems are stilldeveloping duringthese early months, thecombination o maternalimmunity, primary vac-cination, and appropriate care makes the risko inection relatively small compared to thechance o death rom a behavior problem. Veterinarians specializing in behavior recom-mend that owners take advantage o every saeopportunity to expose young puppies to thegreat variety o stimuli that they will experi-ence in their lives. Enrolling in puppy classesprior to three months o age can be an excellentmeans o improving training, strengthening thehuman-animal bond, and socializing puppiesin an environment where risk o illness can beminimized.

For this reason, the Amer-ican Veterinary Society o Animal Behavior believesthat it should be the stan-dard o care or puppiesto receive such socializa-tion beore they are ully vaccinated.

American Veterinary Societyo Animal Behavior

www.AVSABol.og

In general, puppies can start puppysocialization classes as early as7-8 weeks o age. Puppies shouldreceive a minimum o one set o vac-cines at least 7 days prior to the frst class and a frst deworming. Theyshould be kept up-to-date on vaccinesthroughout the class.