Socialization begins at birth, and continues throughout a dog's life. When a puppy is born, we breeders are rubbing the puppy and checking it over. We will continue to handle and manipulate the pup several times every day. Contact with humans becomes critical for that puppy - the feel, the smell, the sound, the sight of people.
Puppies pass through several developmental phases. Initial socialization begins in the litter. At this early age, puppies learn at an incredibly quick pace. As a pack, puppies will gain confidence, and as they mature, each puppy will learn independence. At seven to eight weeks, puppies start to become more independent and ready to explore their environment. This is a very good age to bring your new puppy home. By this age, a well-socialized puppy will have already seen an assortment of things, heard different noises, and taken in different smells, making them very advanced and more adaptable.
When socializing your puppy, you must keep his health needs in mind. Until your dog's vaccinations are complete, he is at risk of catching Parvo, a widespread and deadly disease. You should be extremely careful not to put your puppy down in public places until his shots are complete. Consult your veterinarian for advice about what else may pose a health risk for your puppy.
Like children, puppies need a variety of positive experiences in order to become confident, well adjusted adults. As part of their upbringing, puppies should learn to get along with other dogs, children, and other people, and to accept the many strange sights, sounds, and experiences that are part of everyday life.
The most stable dog is the one who has had a multitude of good first experiences. This dog knows what is normal and what is not. This dog knows humans are good, can be trusted, and will provide food, warmth, and love.