What is the best age to socialize a puppy?
Maynard Robel
2025-07-30 22:30:55
Count answers
: 13
The socialization period in puppies typically lasts from between 6 and 12-to-14 weeks of age. During this time, puppies are learning the norms of the world around them, and they develop attitudes and behaviors they’ll keep as adult dogs. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior says this is when puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli, and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation. Most veterinarians and breeders would put the optimum age to bring home a puppy somewhere between 8-to-10 weeks old. One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond. Socialization of a puppy during this period has a huge effect on the behaviors, confidence, and attachments the dog will have throughout their lifetime.