Desensitization
To put it in its simplest terms, we need to get them used to as many situations as possible while still making them feel comfortable and supported. With puppies this means taking them out for lots of walks being carried in your arms. Why carried around? Because we want to do as much as we can with them even before they have been vaccinated. The best time for a puppy to learn about the world is the first 6 months but the first 3 are vital- and you have missed 2 already if you have an 8 week old puppy. It's not all about meeting people though. Get them used to wearing a collar and lead, they should be on any time they aren't in their crate. Touch all over their legs and body while praising and giving treats. Little exercises like this will make a vet trip far easier for example.
So if you get your puppy as early as possible that means you only have 4 weeks until we hit that 3 month milestone. A rough goal we try to set is for them to meet 100 people in the first 4 weeks with you. That should be in as many different situations as possible, not just at your space. Getting them familiar with pushchairs and wheelchairs now will make life a lot easier when you are walking them later. Coffee shops are fantastic for this as people will want to come and say hello to your puppy. Ask them to approach slowly, and give them a treat to give to your puppy.
During this time we do want them to meet other dogs but it's important we don't force the interaction and cause fear by mistake, as well as being careful of contact with unknown dogs because of their incomplete vaccinations. Your puppy will feel vulnerable as they are young, small and unable to run away as they are bundled up and not on the floor. If they are showing signs of being overwhelmed then add some distance, reassure them it's okay, and let them re-engage when they are ready. Have you ever heard a dog owner whose dog doesn't like a certain kind of dog? The chances are that they had a bad experience when they were at this stage.
What about a rescue?
Rescues you have to take on a case by case basis. They may have only just come from another home rather than a kennel so won't need such a long decompression time. This means you can start desensitising them to their new environment.
We need to always be aware of the 3-3-3 rule though as they may act differently with other dogs/people in the first 3 weeks than 3 months- they may feel they now have something to defend.
With a rescue you don't know the full history of it's best to be safe and take things slowly. If they aren't showing any signs of stress when meeting new challenges then that's fantastic, but it's best to walk before we can run here. One bad experience while you are forming your bond can severely knock the trust you are building. It will be worth it in the end when you have a confident dog that knows that in any situation that comes up they can handle it because they have you. That feeling is priceless.
