Socialization. What your puppy learns about people and his environment now will stay with him for the rest of his life. From his fourth to twelfth week a puppy acquires almost all of his adult sensory, motor and learning abilities. The more loving interaction you establish now, the stronger the bond your dog will have with you later. Plan to spend at least two periods a day playing with your puppy. Use playtime to teach your puppy the basic training commands. As soon as your veterinarian says it's safe, you should also begin exposing your puppy to as much of the outside world as possible. Introduce him to the sights and sounds of your neighborhood. Let him meet other people and dogs, being careful to choose dogs that you know to be gentle. Puppies may be predisposed to developing phobias between 8 and 11 weeks of age. During this time you may want to be cautious when exposing your puppy to particularly stressful experiences, like large crowds and unusually loud noises. If he does become frightened for whatever reason, reassure him in a cheerful voice and pass it off quickly. Keep in mind, your puppy will sense feelings from you, so keep your response fairly matter-of-fact.

Elaine's Poodleville