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The Importance of Early Socialization for Puppies
Bringing home a new puppy to the family is an exciting and memorable time! There are many things to do, like potty training, obedience training, introducing your puppy to friends and family, veterinarian visits, and lots of snuggles and puppy playtime! It can be a lot, but it's important not to let things like socialization slip through the cracks. One of the most important things you can do with your puppy during the first few weeks they are home is socialization.
Properly socializing your puppy is critical to ensure they live a healthy and happy life. During socialization, you will expose your puppy to new sights, sounds, smells, people, and experiences. Doing so will desensitize them to things that might cause fear or unwanted behavior. One of the best ways to effectively socialize your puppy is in puppy socialization classes. Dog Training Elite offers guided classes for puppies that introduce them to other dogs and people in a safe and clean environment. To learn more, schedule a free training demo today!
When to Socialize Your Puppy
Socialization for dogs should be happening throughout their lifetime. Still, getting a good start as early as possible is always best. Socialization for puppies starts at just three weeks old as they begin to engage with their littermates and the world around them. The "sensitive period of socialization," when puppies are primed and ready to try new things, is from 3–14 weeks of age. Because puppies can go to new homes at around eight weeks old, you only have a small window to get that necessary socialization done.
You can start Dog Training Elite puppy socialization classes as soon as you bring your puppy home at eight weeks old! Our classes are puppy safe and provide an excellent opportunity for your puppy to meet new dogs and people and have new experiences outside your home.
What Does Puppy Socialization Look Like?
Puppy socialization is not about teaching new commands or obedience but creating a positive experience around new stimuli. Puppy socialization can look like taking them around your neighborhood, letting them hear and smell things at their own pace, and offering plenty of positive reinforcement and soft treats. It can also look like introducing them to a friend's healthy dog in a safe place and allowing them to greet the dog and learn about social cues and behavior from them, all while offering treats and praise.
Our puppy socialization classes teach your puppy that even if something is new, it can be safe and fun to explore! We create opportunities for your puppy to safely meet new dogs, smell new things, hear new sounds, walk on different surfaces, and meet new friendly people. Socialization is all about removing fear and entering new situations with curiosity. We do this by ensuring they are in a safe environment and offering plenty of positive reinforcement and puppy treats.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Dallin, was awesome!!! Very knowledgeable and helpful!!!💜— Karee Marinos
Posted October 2nd 2024
Our boys love Jeff and the entire team at dog training elite! We started the boys with their puppy program and obedience classes. Our 2 year old malinois is currently in the personal protection program and our 2 year old English bulldog is working on completing the therapy dog certification. We highly recommend them.— Morgan rowley
Posted October 2nd 2024
Dallin is amazing! Has an emergency amount of knowledge and answered all the questions I and my family had to ask with a great response.— Ronald Taylor
Posted October 1st 2024
These guys are wonderful and I am so grateful to have them training my sweet girl right now. I've had a lot of extra requests and they've taken care of my needs above and beyond thus far. I expect to continue to work with them on an ongoing basis and other our other dog soon!! Thumbs up for Jake, McCall, and Oakley as well as Jeff, who did some home training with us earlier this year!! Laura Uhle— Laura Uhle
Posted October 1st 2024
If you’re willing to do your part, this team is amazing! We’re working with Dallin, and our dog adores him! Every lesson is life-changing for our dog and the whole family!— Laura Lyle
Posted September 30th 2024
McCall is so amazing! She really listens to what I’m saying and works so well with making sure not only my Service Animal Henry is understanding but that I as the handler is understanding as well. Love you McCall!— Aubrey Slack
Posted September 28th 2024
Dallin was professional in explaining the available programs -- without any pressure to "buy-up." I recently brought a 4y and 4m old Berner into my home. They exhibited their full range to him -- vocalization, jumpy, calm, puppy biting, and their need for attention. My animals quickly showed they were comfortable with him -- and he with them. We are looking forward to engaging in the 2w camp program!! Our vet is also delighted we have decided on this company/this program as a great fit!— Rachel Parent
Posted September 27th 2024
We love our home sessions with Dallin. We learn so much each visit.— Rosanne Gerrard
Posted September 25th 2024
They take the time to develop a plan for you and your dog, i would highly recommend them for service dog training— Joseph Lombard (Rebel dog paws)
Posted September 24th 2024
Great direction for me and a fun and structured atmosphere during training for my dog Phoenix!— tracy brickner
Posted September 24th 2024
These trainers are masters at their craft! With their techniques and training our dog enjoys more freedom and the ability to go camping, hiking or whatever adventure comes our way.— Ryan Roudebush
Posted September 23rd 2024
Deidre is fantastic and has brought out a whole new side of our dog. Instructions are clear and tailored to us and how we learn. She has amazing insight into how to clean up our commands and how to fix anything we are struggling with. I'm so grateful that we chose to do this.— Erica Gravity
Posted September 19th 2024
My dog loves her. She is so excted to be here. She knows het job well.— Cherie Zeeman
Posted September 19th 2024
Today was our fourth training session with Elite, I couldn’t be happier. Bailey has trained with both Meaghan and Deidre both trainers have been AWESOME! Every single training session has helped me to be the best leader I can be. Bailey is my first from scratch puppy, I was so concerned that I would do things with her that would lead to bad behaviors that she would have to unlearn and it would be my fault, as soon as we started our training with Elite those fears went away immediately!! With Elites help I am confident we will achieve our goals!! I am so grateful! Bailey is doing so well, I can’t wait until we complete our training and we can go everywhere together! I am really look forward to being able to go through the doors that were closed on me 17 years ago when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I know with Elites help Bailey and I will be ready to explore a whole new world together and that will change my life! Conclusion… If you are looking for assistance training your puppy or dog, without a shred of hesitation I would recommend that you give ELITE the opportunity to help you in the ways they are helping us!! It is an investment with limitless rewards for you and your puppy!!— Kimberly Gagon
Posted September 18th 2024
Kind, experienced, and effective trainers made this a wonderful experience. I noticed an improvement after our first session. Highly recommend!— Chris Davis
Posted September 18th 2024
Where do I begin, this training experience was amazing. I am throughly impressed with the knowledge passed along from the one, the only… Deidre Wilson. Deidre’s energy is amazing and makes learning for my dog and I so much more positive and enjoyable. I will forever recommend Dog Training Elite of Utah County to anyone with a K9 young or old.— HawaiianPrepper
Posted September 18th 2024
This has been the absolute best experience. Deidre was incredible. She made me and my dog feel do comfortable.— Samantha Rasmussen
Posted September 18th 2024
Deidre is so awesome and she is welcoming. I feel safe around her and I trust her!! I feel more strengthened and empowered after her training.— Joshua Jackson
Posted September 17th 2024
Benefits of Early Puppy Socialization Classes
Proper puppy socialization from a young age offers many benefits as dogs grow. Socialization teaches puppies about the world from a place of safety and curiosity instead of fear and anxiety. Doing this allows them to enter any situation confidently, which grants you the freedom to bring them along for the ride as you both experience life.
Starting socialization with your puppy as early as possible will give them the best chance of learning that new things aren't bad or scary. When a puppy is not allowed to desensitize and get comfortable with new sights, sounds and smells, they may become overly fearful and unwilling to try something new, which creates a very small and scary world for them.
Give your puppy the best chance at a happy and exciting life with our Dog Training Elite puppy socialization classes! Our classes will allow them to safely engage with new dogs, people, and experiences so they can grow up to be confident and curious dogs.
Find a class near you today!
