05/20/2026
Puppy Training Classes & Socialization
What can I do to socialize & train my puppy?
There are five main socialization windows for puppies. It is important to reach milestones in these windows for the best outcomes for your puppies. Socialization in every stage is so essential. The main socialization window for your puppy is weeks 3-14, which is why it is so essential to take your puppy new places and let them experience new sights, sounds, smells, and other animals in safe and nurturing encounters.
Your vet may say to wait to take your puppy anywhere until their vaccines are finished, but this is a health precaution, it is not in the best interest of your puppy's mental development. You want to make sure you are attending to both needs. Use your own wisdom and find safe non-dog places to take your puppy. A good compromise is to avoid grass/dirt in public places and to avoid places with other dogs until all vaccines are given. As a side-note, don't ever let your puppy go nose to nose with an unknown dog, for both health and behavior reasons. These notations aside, make it a priority to take your puppy to clean paved areas.
Puppies need to see and encounter people of different voice octaves/accents, skin colors, genders, and ages. They need to see people on scooters, bikes, skateboards, and with walkers. They also need to experience good encounters with other well behaved dogs (that you know the owners of and you know are fully vaccinated). They need to be taken to the noisy city, down different streets, and establish a secure bond with their people. You do not want negative experiences during this early windows.
Curiosity Period (5 to 7 weeks)
This stage is one of many reasons why you want to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. This is when they learn to accept people and they will get develop a large degree of their trust and confidence.
Behavioral Refinement (7 to 9 weeks)
Focus should be on good habits, learning boundaries, and understanding the rules of their new life. They are seeking to please during this window. Give them opportunities for success!
Fear Imprint (8 to 11 weeks)
During this time puppies are more sensitive to fear and may startle more easily. Negative experiences can have lasting effects. Your job is to make sure things are introduced slowly and safely and that they trust you as their leader.
Environmental Awareness (9 to 12 weeks)
Weeks 10-12 is the Prime Socialization Window & when motor skills are developing fast. They want to learn about their world and you want to make sure you set them up for confidence in their surroundings. They can feel through the leash if you are uneasy, nervous, or questioning. You need to "expect" that your pup will be confident and take a new encounter well --if you are afraid of how they will react, they will not react well & you just reinforced an anxious mindset in your pup. If you are a strong leader, they will follow suit. You also need to make sure they develop confidence alone so establish "alone time" where they self-soothe in the crate or a nice quiet place.
Seniority Classification (13 to 16 weeks)
This is a stage where puppies can start testing dominance and leadership. You should never allow a puppy to lead the show, decide what street you walk on, or what activity you are doing. Do not let them be the boss. They are also teething during this time and you should never allow them to bite on teeth on you. You are not their toy or their playmate. You are their pack leader. Make sure you practice taking their toys and food away and that they learn to respect and submit to what you want --and then praise them for it. It is also good practice to make sure these things are practiced with ALL family members so that all family members are seen as the pack leader.
If direction or set goals are needed for families, AKC provides several AKC titles that you can work towards and also make friends along the way. These titles, once completed and submitted, will go at the end of your dog's registration name and you will receive a certificate to hang on the wall or post. The first one is an AKC VIRTUAL HOME MANNERS TITLE (VHM). In this title you have 10 milestones based on the dog's age. You may see the virtual checklist here, which consists of handling, grooming, sit, down, come, food manners, doorbell manners, go to place, bonding with your dog, leash walking, and exercise.
The second title that a family can work towards is AKC STAR PUPPY. For this title, families and their puppy will attend 6 weekly in person classes with a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator. In this class they will work towards puppy manners in public with people and dogs. There is a list of 20 things that the person and puppy will learn to do as a team.
The third title that families can work towards is the CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC) award. This program strives to train the candidate to become a polite member of society and serve as an example of a well-behaved pet in public. There is a list of 10 things that dogs should be able to accomplish to be accepted in public settings. Some of the higher order things including accepting strangers, crowds, holding a stay command 20 foot away & coming when called, ignoring the presence of other dogs in public, not being distracted, and handling separation from its owner.
Attending to these socialization windows, making good experiences, and setting goals with your puppy is the sure way of success. Whether you strive after AKC Titles or just practice these things at home, you will develop a better companion and a lifelong bond with your dog. Just like at work, in the military, at church, or in any group setting, teamwork makes the dream work. You are the leader and your dog will follow you, make sure you are leading right. Any behavior is correctable if you are leading with authority, a kind hand, and consistency.
(Picture of one of our pups in puppy school).
