The world is vast and wondrous to a young puppy. Everything is new, and each day brings fresh sights, sound and smells. A pup’s first six months are the prime time for her to learn about the world, and during those early months, durable impressions and beliefs grow. One of the most important things you can do to ensure your Golden pup grows into a calm and well-behaved dog is help her form pleasant, positive associations with new situations while she’s still young. This vital task is known as socialization, which is about building self-confidence and social skills.
Unexplored territory can seem scary, so don’t overwhelm your Golden puppy. Keep outings short, no more than an hour long at first, so your pup won’t become over stimulated and exhausted. Exhaustion is not conducive to developing confidence.