Socialization Starts Now
If your puppy is eight weeks old when you've brought him home, you may have as many as five to six weeks before your veterinarian declares him “safe to socialize.” That's because each puppy develops antibodies from vaccinations at a different rate. To be on the safe side, your veterinarian will want you to wait until yours reaches the end of his vaccination series, in case the last shot is the one that stimulates the creation of his antibodies.
These early puppy weeks are still extremely precious as far as your puppy's social development. If the puppy is sequestered in your home and yard and not allowed to meet any people or play with any dogs, he may not be as sociable as he could have been. In fact, he might develop a distinct fear or dislike of other dogs, as well as children, delivery people, boys on bikes, or anyone else unfamiliar.
Puppies are curious, especially dachshunds! Shaping behaviors now can help avoid trouble later.
Tips for Socialization
The way to handle these first few weeks of socialization is covered in much more detail elsewhere, but here are a few tips to get you started:
Take your puppy on daily car rides to pick up kids, run errands, or go through a drive-through.
Arrange play dates with friendly, gentle, fully vaccinated adult dogs.
Go on daily walks around the neighborhood, introducing your puppy to as many people as possible.
Carry your puppy in a soft-sided carrier so he can see the world.
Avoid grassy areas frequented by large numbers of dogs.
Avoid contact with strange puppies until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
Don't coddle a frightened dog — this reaffirms the pup's hunch that whatever it was really was scary. At the same time, don't force your puppy to look at or listen to something that frightens her. Ignore whatever it was, and let your actions teach your dog that it was nothing to worry about.
Sights and Sounds
The process of learning to accept and not be fearful of everyday sights and sounds in the home, neighborhood, as well as out in the community is called habitualization. Many noises will not bother your puppy. Other sounds may interest her initially (after which she will ignore them), or, in the extreme, some sights or sounds may paralyze your dachsie with fear.
You should allow your puppy to investigate the sights and sounds of home and neighborhood at her own speed. (Keep your dachsie on a leash outside, of course.) If she reacts in a terrified or very cautious manner to a particular sight or sound, ignore it. Reward only positive reactions, and ignore all others. Your puppy will soon learn.
