Is it ever too late to socialize a dog?
Maggie Casper
2025-06-03 02:13:44
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If my pup is 6 months or older and I don’t feel like I’ve properly socialized my pup, am I too late? It’s not too late but it’s important for you to be careful with your socialization strategy. If we’re talking about dogs over 6-7 months you’ve missed the critical time period when puppies are most impressionable because, even though they’re still young, your pup is starting to move into adolescence. It’s about shifting from quantity of socialization to quality; if your pup doesn’t like socializing with certain breeds, don’t force it and just allow them to socialize with other pups. Socializing doesn’t necessarily mean interaction: Don’t force interactions after a dog is 7-8 months if they’re still hesitant to be social. Ideally socializing your puppy when they’re still within the impressionable stage is best but you’re not necessarily too late either.
Braxton Runolfsdottir
2025-05-29 23:18:16
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Fortunately, the oft-repeated adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” isn’t true. Dogs are naturally curious animals who are always learning and excited to absorb new experiences. According to VCA Animal Hospital, older dogs are often easier to train because of their greater ability to concentrate. Since they’re not as easily distracted as younger canines, they can focus for longer periods and learn new routines more quickly. So while it’s best for your furry pal to learn social skills early on, it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Socializing a mature dog is also possible, but will require some practice and training to help build your pup’s confidence. Remember that slow and steady wins the adult dog socialization race. It may take more time, but older dogs can learn new tricks and shed old habits.
Jacynthe Bogisich
2025-05-17 17:01:06
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Is it ever too late to socialize a dog.
We were wondering if it will be a bit too late to socialize him at 13 weeks.
We’ve read that the socialization period closes 12 weeks so we are wondering if we should pick him up asap.
Otto Bogisich
2025-05-17 16:32:16
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Generally, the earlier you begin to socialize a dog, the better. We believe, though it may be a bit more challenging with an older dog, it’s never too late. Socializing an older dog is much like training a younger dog, but usually with more patience and encouragement required. You will find you’re most successful when you don’t overwhelm your pet with an overload of training or try to move too quickly. Always stay positive. It’s never too late to socialize an adult dog. The most important things to remember are to go at your dog’s pace and keep things positive. If your adult dog lacks experience in the world around you, take him outside and begin exploring.
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