Puppy socialization is critical for a dog’s healthy development, but what happens if there is a highly contagious respiratory illness being passed around the dog community? Emily and Libby address this current situation by re-airing this episode so you can make a good decision by weighing the costs and benefits of puppy socialization, and how to have healthy play with other puppies amidst illness. Some topics discussed are:

• The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are the "critical window" for socialization 

• What proper socialization is, and is not

• Why exposure alone is not socialization 

• Practical ways to help puppies form positive associations with the world around them

• What flooding is and why it’s problematic

• The dilemma of too much vs. too little exposure

• How rescues and shelters can work with adolescent dogs who missed socialization

This is a wonderful conversation for anyone working with puppies on a regular basis or new adopters.

For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com

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Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. Our webmaster is Nadia Magallon of Rewarding Dog Training.

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