Welcoming Our Two New English Cream Golden Retrievers
September 24, 2025
Everyone loves a calm, well-adjusted dog who responds positively to different people and new environments. An unpredictable anxious pup makes life difficult. How do you turn a timid puppy into a confident canine?
It is important to understand the concept of puppy socialization. Socialization is so much more than your dog interacting with and befriending other dogs. Actual socialization is about exposure and experience: to new people and animals, new places, new sounds, smells, and sensations. The socialization process is vital to a puppy’s development and wellbeing.
The puppy socialization process begins right away. Prioritize early training. Studies and veterinarian research confirm that the first three to four months of a puppy’s life (3-16 weeks) involve the most brain development and cognitive learning. Events and experiences during this period are highly impactful. Direct exposure to children, noisy settings, car rides, other dogs, and many other stimuli is crucial.
Start with basic experiences and introduce new events gradually. When it comes to people interaction, involve a few close family members and friends. Plan short “adventures” that will bring your puppy into contact with new items and sensations. Identify some of the puppy challenging locations in your house or neighborhood. Bring your puppy to each one, starting with the least alarming situation and building up to more intimidating ones.
Learn to read your puppy’s body language/responses and recognize signs of distress. Is your puppy shaking, panting, yawning, or lip licking? Are its ears pulled back? Is she barking aggressively? Maintain a calm response and provide immediate feedback. Remove your dog from a situation if it proves to be too overwhelming. Revisit at another time when your puppy is rested and refocused. Reinforce desirable behavior with specific praise and treats.
Your puppy wants to be with you. Include your dog in as many areas of your life as possible. The more a puppy experiences in your presence and with your support, the more it will accept/adapt to them. This is one of the special aspects of your relationship with your puppy: you get to do things together!
Wind Knoll Goldens appreciates the bonds that we get to build with our dogs. From early puppyhood to maturity, we spend time with each of our dogs. They get to know us, and we get to know them. The puppy socialization process is integrated into our lifestyle. As we work outside, communicate in the office, and attend to all the other chores, we love to involve our growing dogs.
