From their waggling behinds to their sheer exuberance as they take in the world around them, puppies provide smiles, laughter, and fun for our families. If you have been or are the pet parent to a new little bundle of fur, you may well be aware that puppies also require a lot of time and energy with house training, positive reinforcement, and socialization.
Of course, there are many benefits for us pet owners when we choose to provide the right training to our new pups, such as avoiding accidents, keeping chewing to a minimum, and redirecting the hyperactivity. But, training, socialization, and behavioral cues for a wide variety of situations also protect your pet from injury, accident, escape, or aggression.
As with all training, puppy socialization allows your pet to become used to or adjust to being around a wide variety of situations, people, and settings. This exposure makes it possible for your pet to feel more relaxed and confident around other people and animals.
Identify Problem Behaviors and Correct Them Early
While we appreciate and even chuckle at some “puppy behaviors”, those behaviors that seem endearing now can easily become big problems in an adult dog. In fact, behavioral issues are the number one cause of pet relinquishment to shelters and subsequent euthanasia in the United States.
Puppies learn important lessons, such as bite inhibition, through interaction and play. Because puppies are at a developmental stage that primes them for adsorbing information and adjusting to cues, it’s important to start their training sessions between 10 to 12 weeks of age. This allows them to learn through interaction, reinforcement, and the social play of their fellow puppies.
Once your puppy has been screened and is receiving his or her vaccinations, the risks associated with contagious diseases diminish. While there is always the chance of your puppy contracting an illness, the benefits of early positive training on the lifelong wellness of your pet exceed the minimal risks associated with socialization.
The Advantages of Professional Advice and Oversight
There are an overwhelming number of pet training and socialization options out there, many of them relying on volume and advertising. Unfortunately, not all training programs offer the same quality or approach.
One of the more important benefits of working with your veterinary team is the individual attention your pet will receive from someone who knows the specific health and behavior history of your dog. By selecting a known professional service, you give your puppy the added advantage of having his or her history of vaccinations and preventatives, and even personality, understood and considered before classes begin.
Billings Animal Family Hospital is proud to offer guidance, support, and exemplary services in socialization and positive training classes. Our puppy training classes provide “playtime” for your little one while teaching basic obedience and socialization.
Unlike discount training classes, we provide a full spectrum of services and have resources to address special issues or needs, such as behavior modification in older or more challenging dogs. The benefits of using an accredited, professional veterinary medical clinic for your puppy’s training include:
In addition, we are happy to provide you with some informative videos and resources to help you become the best, most informed pet parent possible. If you would like to sign up for our next Puppy Socialization Class, please give us a call today. We look forward to working with you and your puppy!
