Why you should socialize your puppy before they have all their vaccines.

It is important to socialize a puppy even before they are fully vaccinated. Waiting to socialize a puppy until they are older can have negative impacts.

Here's what the sources say about socializing puppies before vaccinations and the impact of waiting:

• The socialization period for puppies is between 3-14 weeks of age. Socialization during this "sensitive period" is key to ensuring a happy, confident, and well-adjusted dog.

• Waiting until a puppy is fully vaccinated (around four months) to socialize can do more harm than good.

• While it is important to avoid contact with sick dogs and places where many dogs go until a puppy is fully vaccinated, it is not necessary to isolate a young puppy.

• You can socialize your puppy with healthy, friendly, and vaccinated dogs.

• Vaccinated puppies attending socialization classes are at no greater risk of parvovirus infection than those that do not attend.

• Breeders should begin the socialization process, with gentle handling, before you even bring the puppy home.

• After bringing a puppy home, owners should continue the socialization process with new sights, sounds, and smells.

• Puppies who are not socialized during their sensitive period may be fearful and aggressive. If they have no experience with different things or people, they can end up afraid of them.

• The socialization window closes at about 12 weeks. While you can still help an older dog get used to new things, they may never be completely comfortable.

• Inadequate socialization is the number one cause of death for dogs under 3 years of age due to behavioral issues, not infectious diseases.

To socialize a puppy, introduce them to different people, social dogs and other animals, sounds, environments, and trips to different locations.