The First Three MonthsPuppy socialization, week by week

He is still deciding what counts as normal

Puppy socialization means calmly introducing your puppy to people, animals, sounds, surfaces and places while he is young enough to accept them as ordinary. The most important stretch is the first three months of life. Start the day he comes home, keep each meeting short and pleasant, and let him set the pace.

How long is the puppy socialization window?

UC Davis describes the early weeks as the age when puppies are most accepting, less cautious and very curious about their environment. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior describes the first three months as the period when sociability outweighs fear.

VCA Animal Hospitals places the window at 3 to 16 weeks; the UC Davis veterinary school gives approximately 3 to 14 weeks. Plan early socialization before 12 weeks, which the Louisiana SPCA identifies as the most critical period; it says the window is closing by five months.

UC Davis notes that socialization can happen at any age, but it is a slower process for an older dog than for a puppy under 14 weeks.

Fear periods look like everything going backwards

At some point a puppy who was fine with the vacuum is suddenly not fine with the vacuum.

The AKC notes that most dogs go through fear periods around 8 to 11 weeks and again between 6 and 14 months. They are normal and they pass.

The AKC advises against forcing a puppy to engage with things that scare him. If a moment is clearly too much, UC Davis advises moving the puppy away so he is not overwhelmed and does not link the experience with fear.

Our guide to dog body language shows how to read the eyes, ears, mouth and tail.

Puppy socialization checklists and how to use them

Use the Louisiana SPCA checklist to cover sights and noises, places, objects and flooring, and meeting animals. Go through it and mark the experiences your puppy has not had yet.

The AKC advises against doing too much, too fast, and warns that starting with a huge party or a very busy public place can be overwhelming. Its advice is to begin with a few family members, then slowly add one stranger, then two.

Puppy's first night and first week

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends letting puppies take naps in safe places such as crates or puppy pens, and says crates should serve as comfort or play areas. For a bed of his own, see our dog beds.

Our crate training schedule gives the limit for each age.

For house-training in the same weeks, see our puppy potty training guide.

Socializing before the vaccine course finishes

Do not wait until his shots are done to start. VCA explains why: by the time a puppy has finished his vaccination series, his sensitive period for socialization will be over.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior considers it the standard of care for puppies to be socialized before they are fully vaccinated, and says puppy classes can start as early as 7 to 8 weeks. According to UC Davis, the risk of serious behavior problems from poor socialization is far greater than the risk of infectious disease.

UC Davis advises letting your puppy meet only dogs you know are healthy, well behaved and vaccinated. Arrange playdates with those dogs at a friend's house, choose a class that checks vaccinations, and take him in the car when you run errands. Ask your vet where your puppy can go safely, given the disease risk in your area.

After three months

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior calls the first three months the most important socialization period, and encourages owners to keep socializing their puppies after that milestone. If your dog came to you older, or missed this stretch, the AKC says you can still help him associate new or fearful situations with positive experiences; see our dog socialization training guide.

Questions people ask

At what age should I socialize my puppy?

Start as soon as he comes home. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior calls the first three months the most important socialization period, and puppy classes can start as early as 7 to 8 weeks. VCA Animal Hospitals gives 3 to 16 weeks as the ideal window.

Is 20 weeks too late to socialize a puppy?

It is past the 3 to 16 weeks VCA gives as the ideal window, but it is not too late. VCA says that even past 16 weeks it is important to continue providing regular social interactions. Go slower, keep meetings short and calm, start with small steps and only move on when he is comfortable.

Can I socialize my puppy before he is fully vaccinated?

Yes, carefully. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior considers early socialization the standard of care, and UC Davis advises meeting only dogs you know are healthy and vaccinated. Avoid places where unknown dogs gather, and ask your vet about the disease risk where you live.

When do puppies go through fear periods?

Watch for the fear periods. The AKC places the first around 8 to 11 weeks and says puppies may be more concerned about new objects or experiences during them. They are normal and they pass; keep things calm and do not force him toward what scares him.