How to Socialize with Dogs
Socializing a dachshund puppy with other dogs puts many owners in a quandary. The critical socialization period for a puppy to continue learning how to behave around other dogs is from eight to twelve weeks. The problem is that your puppy will not be fully vaccinated until fourteen to sixteen weeks. If you have your puppy around other dogs and puppies before she has developed antibodies against several common but deadly diseases, you are putting her life in serious jeopardy.
Some trainers would rather that puppy owners take the risk of infecting their puppies as opposed to keeping these puppies isolated from other canines until the pups are fully vaccinated. These trainers argue that the risk of an isolated puppy becoming an antisocial dog with aggressive tendencies (because it wasn't socialized with other dogs) is greater than the risk of an incompletely vaccinated puppy being exposed and dying from a deadly disease.
The places where your puppy is most likely to come in contact with diseases are places that get heavy dog traffic. These include the floors of training centers, pet stores, grooming shops, and your veterinarian's office, as well as pet-walking areas at rest stops, dog parks, and other such areas. Until your dachshund is fully vaccinated, keep her off these surfaces and away from these areas!
There's a happy medium, however. It is not wise to unnecessarily expose your puppy to dread diseases. Set up doggie play times with friendly adult dogs you know are free of disease and up-to-date on all their vaccinations. Meet in your back yard (or theirs), and allow your puppy to interact and have fun. Set up as many play dates as you can. Just remember that one bad incident — one bite from a strange dog, one attack — may be enough to make your dachshund forever fearful of other dogs. Always make absolutely sure that your puppy's canine acquaintances are gentle, calm dogs.
Dachshunds love to be around their own kind. Socialization is one of the most important elements in helping your dachshund become well adjusted.
As soon as your puppy has the green light from your veterinarian that he has most likely achieved immunity to the diseases in your area, the world is his oyster! Go to your obedience club and take a puppy class. Let your pup meet other friendly puppies and dogs at the pet store, and don't be afraid to set him down on the floors in these areas.
If you adopted an adult dog who is not aggressive to other dogs, you will simply want to continue your dog's socialization skills by allowing her to meet and greet other friendly dogs while on walks (on leash) and in dog parks (off leash). Dachshunds who are aggressive to other dogs will require training, and possibly neutering, if male.
