But that’s not always the right approach. It’s not uncommon for well-meaning owners to book a place at a one-off-and often chaotic “puppy party”-or to head straight to the local dog park.

But if play sessions aren’t managed and introduced carefully, they can do more harm than good. Studies show that a lack of positive interactions during this time can lead to problem behaviors and fearfulness in adult dogs.Īllowing your pup to play with other dogs is a crucial element of proper socialization, and it can also be great fun for them. Puppies have a critical socialization period that starts around three weeks and goes up to between 12 and 14 weeks.