My Unpopular Opinion on Socializing

I have a very unpopular opinion when it comes to socializing and training. Truly I have found that it is more important to find a way to socialize your puppy starting at 8 weeks. Most vets, trainers, and breeders will tell you that you should not socialize your dog until they are 4 months old. I want to explain how this impacts your dog and how it changes their entire personality.

Goldens are extremely social and love to be with humans and animals. They actually need interaction with humans and animals at a much earlier age than other breeds. If a golden is not properly trained and socialized you are going to have several behavior issues. The biggest issue is that it causes separation anxiety and possessive behavior. Your golden will become overly attached to you and then will start to become destructive. They will eat your furniture, walls, baseboards, or anything they can get their mouths on. When a golden becomes overly attached they do not know what to do with themselves when they are alone. There are a lot of additional risks that you have to prepare for but in the end it is worth it to get your pup socialized so they can become the incredible golden that their breed produces.

How do you plan and prepare to socialize your puppy before they are fully vaccinated? Great question! First, you need to train your dog to wear booties. We start training with booties when they are 3 weeks old. We want to make sure that your puppy's nose, mouth, and feet do not touch the ground. So it is important to train your dog by doing leash training at an early age. We start leash desensitization at 8 weeks old. You want to make sure your puppy is confident, happy, and listening while on a leash and collar. Then you can put on their booties, leash, and collar and begin walking your dog in your backyard. Second, you will want to purchase a wagon or something to put your puppy in so that they are safe, secure, and not able to touch, sniff, or lick the floor. Now with your wagon, you can take your puppy to pet-friendly stores. You will want to bring sanitizer, treats, and potty pads. You can keep your puppy in the wagon and allow strangers to pet the puppies or give them treats; as long as they stay sitting and wait patiently. If they lunge or jump you need to correct that behavior. Finally, you will want to take the puppy to the airport and mall. The airport is loud, unpredictable, distracting, and a great place to find families that want to interact with your puppy. We put up a sign that says "Please ask before you pet us!" That way it is clear that people are allowed to pet them and give them treats. This is a great way to work on training, socializing, and distractions. We take the puppies to all of the stores, airports, and malls when they turn 9 weeks old and have had two rounds of vaccines.

I have noticed a huge change in the behaviors of our goldens compared to other goldens from different breeders. Our goldens are confident, patient, kind, gentle, cuddly, smart, and extremely calm. They can sit and wait for pets and treats. They continue to love people and animals and also are bored of all of the distractions because they were introduced to them at such a young age.

I know that the thought of your brand new puppy getting sick is scary but I promise it is worth it. You will have a golden for 10 to 15 years. Your golden must learn early on that you are their safe place but so is their home and they are safe, loved, and secure even if you are not around. As long as you keep your puppy in the wagon or wearing booties you lessen your chances of your puppy getting sick. Trust me your 6-month-old puppy will be so far advanced from another 6-month-old golden that the owner will jokingly ask to trade. Please consider socializing your puppy and getting them out and about. It truly changes their brain chemistry and creates that true golden personality. I promise it will be worth it!