Puppy Socialization. . . It Happens Sooner Than You Think!
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November 9, 2024
I am seated at my dining room table with a view of the yard, pasture, and woods, I can see our standard poodle Mack (Marquis deLafayette) and Tucker (Friar Tuck of Doodle Patch Farm), riotously digging a deep enough hole to swallow an entire dog’s head and shoulders when peering into. I’m wondering if a burrowing mole is the object of their frenzied excavation. I hope there is a purpose behind their destruction. But I must accept that dogs will be dogs and they are natural, living augers. They do their job well. Both Mack and Tucker are, for the most part, well-behaved dogs. They follow simple obedience commands, walk quietly on a leash, ride quietly in a car, and accept a veterinarian’s probing and care. But they love to dig. We allow them to indulge their bulldozing instincts in isolated areas. Their digging behaviors could be redirected, but scooping dirt is a favorite pastime. So we fill the holes with gravel and they begin again.
Not All Annoying Behaviors Are Bad
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Digging is an annoying behavior. But it may actually be healthy for the canine scoopers. It’s mentally stimulating and excites a prey drive in dogs. (I am grateful when the dogs dig up a mole.) Digging as well as sniffing, pawing, “zoomies,” and barking are behaviors that serve a purpose. So before deciding to train your dog to stop certain behaviors completely, teach your dog the appropriate time and place for each behavior. For example, puppies and adult dogs experience the “Zoomies” or Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs). It’s quite entertaining, but a dog that is darting and dashing can demolish a living room in no time! So when the zoomies hit, we open the door and the dogs sprint to the front yard to continue the chase. We are entertained and the lamps and knickknacks are saved!
Good Dogs are Born AND Made!
Confident, healthy, happy, dogs are delightful. It takes intentional handling and training to help your dog become the dog you’ve dreamed of. Everyone wants a dog that will be a well-mannered, loyal, and affectionate companion that accepts other humans and dogs. Many new puppy owners may think that socialization begins when they bring their puppy home. On the contrary, socialization begins with the breeder. There are developmental opportunities that good breeders recognize to help every puppy be confident, happy, curious, affectionate companions.
Starting with the puppies’ birthday we make sure every puppy has a healthy delivery and is nursing well. Mama is tended to, fed, nurtured, and puppies are kept warm. Puppies are handled gently and intentionally every day from birth. Puppy socialization is a long process involving three phases in just their first eight weeks of life. Our goal is to develop a solid foundation of puppy socialization before pups go home.
Developing a solid foundation of puppy socialization
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Day 3 Begins Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS):
The history of Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) begins with a research program by the U.S. military in the 1970s, known as the “Bio Sensor Program.” This program aimed to improve the performance and resilience of military working dogs through early developmental handling techniques. The program’s architects, military researchers, and behavior specialists were searching for methods to boost the physical and mental resiliency of service dogs, preparing them for high-stress environments and demanding work.
The program’s primary goal was to improve the dogs’ cardiovascular health, stress tolerance, and problem-solving skills. Military researchers discovered that exposing puppies to very mild, controlled stress during a critical developmental window (3-16 days after birth) could help stimulate their neurological development, leading to more adaptable, resilient dogs.
ENS involves five handling exercises that last 3-5 seconds each, designed to stimulate puppies’ neurological systems during a sensitive early period:
- Tactile Stimulation: Gently rubbing the puppy’s paws with a cotton swab.
- Head Held Erect: Holding the puppy vertically (head above tail).
- Head Pointed Down: Holding the puppy vertically with head pointed down.
- Supine Position: Holding the puppy on its back.
- Thermal Stimulation: Placing the puppy on a cool surface briefly.
These exercises mimic mild, manageable stress, which stimulates the puppy’s neurological and physiological systems. The exposure helps the puppy’s body and mind become more adaptable, priming them to respond positively to stressors in their adult life.
1. Results and Broader Adoption of ENS
Research on the Bio Sensor Program showed promising results, such as:
- Improved cardiovascular function
- Stronger adrenal glands
- Greater tolerance for stress
- Enhanced learning and problem-solving skills
Given these positive outcomes, ENS spread beyond military applications and became a common practice among dog breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts. Today, ENS is widely used for puppies and other animals to encourage healthier development, improve stress resilience, and help prepare animals for a variety of environments and roles, from family pets to service animals.
Three weeks is an exciting (albeit messy) time in the life of a puppy! Their eyes are open (although their eyesight is not as refined as it will be), and they can hear. They are starting “solid” foods in the form of puppy mush.
2. Exposure to New Stimuli (3-8 Weeks)
- Once the ENS phase is complete, we begin introducing the puppies to new stimuli.
- Sights and Sounds: Soft household sounds (vacuum, TV, clapping), visual movement (people, other animals, cars).
- Textures and Surfaces: Different flooring materials (carpet, grass, wood), surfaces (stairs, slopes), and even varied terrain outdoors.
- Thresholds: Thresholds are always a challenge for puppies because of the variation of flooring surface. It requires practice to confidently navigate thresholds.
- Gentle Social Interactions: We introduce them to gentle handling by different people (varying ages, appearances, and genders) to ensure they’re comfortable around a range of humans. New puppy owners are encouraged to visit!
3. Environment Exploration (8-12 Weeks)
- This is the ideal time to introduce puppies to new environments in short, positive bursts.
- Controlled Outdoor Experiences: Take puppies on short outings to safe, enclosed outdoor areas, gradually exposing them to new sights, sounds, and other animals.
- Encouraging Problem-Solving: Use simple interactive toys to encourage curiosity and independent thinking.
- Before we send puppies home (7 weeks): Puppies have their first vet visit and take a trip to the photographer.
- Daily errands always involve at least one puppy in the back seat.
4. Ongoing Socialization (12+ Weeks)
- Continue socializing by introducing more complex environments, activities, and obedience training.
- Playdates and Training Classes: Once vaccinated, they can begin meeting other puppies and safe adult dogs in structured settings, which can help with learning appropriate play behavior and impulse control.
- Positive Reinforcement Training: Reinforce good behaviors and social responses with treats, praise, and toys to ensure positive associations with new experiences.
Training a Great Dog Begins Early and Takes Time
While we may not be able to curb a dog’s tendency to dig, or calm a puppy’s zoomies, we will continue to follow our puppy curriculum with fidelity and intentionality so that we may provide a healthy, well-structured, emotionally balanced puppy that will love you for a lifetime!
Videos from current litters at Doodle Patch Farm:
First Puppy Mush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxh4Fk5s9gw
Early Socialization With Novel Sights and Sounds
Early Neurological Stimulation
Doodle Patch Farm is located in SW Ohio about 30 minutes north of Cincinnati near Germantown, Ohio. We are a small ethical breeder specializing in Aussiedoodles, Goldendoodles, mini and standard sized along with AKC registered Cream Golden Retrievers. Please learn more by visiting our website at DoodlePatchFarm.
