Mastering Socialisation
Early Socialisation for Your Finnish Lapphund Puppy
Raising a new Finnish Lapphund puppy is an exciting and rewarding adventure. One of the most important aspects of raising a well-adjusted, confident Lappy is ensuring that they undergo proper socialisation during their early development. Early socialisation helps your puppy develop the skills they need to navigate the world around them, from meeting new people and animals to experiencing different sounds, surfaces, environments and situations. When done correctly, early socialisation can set your puppy up for a lifetime of positive interactions and develops strategies to handle any situation.
This guide will explore the early socialisation strategies for your Finnish Lapphund, incorporating evidence-based methods such as Puppy Culture, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Positive Reinforcement Training. By understanding the importance of these techniques and how to apply them, you’ll ensure your Lapphund grows into a confident, well-rounded adult dog.
This guide will explore the early socialisation strategies for your Finnish Lapphund, incorporating evidence-based methods such as Puppy Culture, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Positive Reinforcement Training. By understanding the importance of these techniques and how to apply them, you’ll ensure your Lapphund grows into a confident, well-rounded adult dog.
WHat is early canine Socialisation?
Early socialisation refers to the process of exposing a dog to a variety of people, animals, environments, sounds, and experiences in a positive, controlled manner. The goal is to help your Finnish Lapphund develop confidence and appropriate behavior in different situations, reducing the likelihood of fear, anxiety, or aggression towards unfamiliar stimuli.
Socialisation is crucial in a Finnish Lapphund's early development period, ideally occurring between 3 weeks and 16 weeks of age during the early socialisation window, but it can be beneficial at any age. It helps your Lappy learn how to interact calmly and appropriately with others, making them more adaptable and well-behaved in public, around other dogs and at home.
Key aspects of canine socialisation training include:
Exposure to different people (of various ages, genders, heights and ethnicities).
Exposure to other dogs and animals (to promote proper canine social behavior).
Experiencing different environments (parks, urban areas, or busy streets).
Handling various stimuli (such as loud noises, different textures, or new objects).
Teaching positive associations with new experiences to build confidence and reduce fear.
A well-socialised dog is generally more relaxed, friendly, and easier to train, and is less likely to develop behavioral problems related to fear or aggression.
Socialisation is crucial in a Finnish Lapphund's early development period, ideally occurring between 3 weeks and 16 weeks of age during the early socialisation window, but it can be beneficial at any age. It helps your Lappy learn how to interact calmly and appropriately with others, making them more adaptable and well-behaved in public, around other dogs and at home.
Key aspects of canine socialisation training include:
Exposure to different people (of various ages, genders, heights and ethnicities).
Exposure to other dogs and animals (to promote proper canine social behavior).
Experiencing different environments (parks, urban areas, or busy streets).
Handling various stimuli (such as loud noises, different textures, or new objects).
Teaching positive associations with new experiences to build confidence and reduce fear.
A well-socialised dog is generally more relaxed, friendly, and easier to train, and is less likely to develop behavioral problems related to fear or aggression.
Why is canine socialisation critical?
Finnish Lapphunds are an intelligent and independent breed known for their gentle temperament and strong instincts. They were historically bred as herding dogs, which means they often have a natural wariness toward strangers and may exhibit strong protective or alert instincts. Socialising your Finnish Lapphund early in life is crucial for preventing the development of fear-based behaviours, anxiety, reactivity or aggression as they grow and develop.
Benefits of Early Socialisation:
Improved Confidence:
Early exposure to new experiences helps build your puppy’s confidence, reducing fear or anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Better Adaptability:
A well-socialised puppy is more adaptable to changes in environment, routine, and people.
Positive Behaviour:
Proper socialisation reduces the likelihood of undesirable behaviours like excessive barking, avoidance or panic, fear snapping, biting, or reactivity toward other dogs and people.
Stronger Bonding:
Socialising your puppy through positive experiences strengthens your relationship and trust with them, enabling them to be more effective in their learning & training.
Benefits of Early Socialisation:
Improved Confidence:
Early exposure to new experiences helps build your puppy’s confidence, reducing fear or anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Better Adaptability:
A well-socialised puppy is more adaptable to changes in environment, routine, and people.
Positive Behaviour:
Proper socialisation reduces the likelihood of undesirable behaviours like excessive barking, avoidance or panic, fear snapping, biting, or reactivity toward other dogs and people.
Stronger Bonding:
Socialising your puppy through positive experiences strengthens your relationship and trust with them, enabling them to be more effective in their learning & training.
UNLEASH THE LOVE
The Socialisation Timeline
The first year of your Finnish Lapphund’s life is a critical period for socialisation. During this time, their brains are highly receptive to learning and forming positive associations. Below is a breakdown of key developmental stages and how to approach socialisation during each phase.
6 to 16 weeks
THE CRITICAL SOCIALISATION WINDOW
The period between 6 and 16 weeks is the most important window for early socialisation. At this age, puppies are in a very receptive phase where their experiences will have a lasting impact on their future behaviour. The focus should be on positive and relaxed encounters with plenty of praise, treats and rewards. Take it slow, and let them build confidence gradually. It's important to focus on controlled and structured experiences during this sensitive period. Avoid overwhelming your puppy with too many new experiences at once. The goal is not to overwhelm your Lappy but to build their confidence through gradual exposure.
Key Recommendations:
Key Recommendations:
- Gentle Handling: Expose your puppy to a variety of safe handling experiences - such as being touched on their paws, ears, and mouth - to help them become comfortable with handling during grooming and veterinary visits. Early practice grooming like getting used to a brush through their fur and slight pressure on their paws and nails.
- Exposure to Surfaces: Expose your puppy to as many different surfaces as you can, including grass, tiles, carpet, sand, uneven surfaces, grates, moving surfaces and much more. Go through them gradually and always reward your puppy with treats and praise for exploring any new surfaces.
- Socialisation with People: Introduce your puppy to a broad range of people (adults, children, people with disabilities, people wearing hats or sunglasses) in a calm, positive and controlled manner. This ensures they grow up comfortable around people of all ages and appearances.
- Exposure to Other Dogs: Arrange safe, positive interactions with well-socialised vaccinated dogs of all ages and breeds. A puppy kindergarten class is an excellent way to get started. Ensure the experiences are fun and non-threatening to prevent any fear-based reactions - let you Lappy participate as much or as little as they want in each interaction.
- Exposure to Objects: Ensure your new puppy is exposed to as many different objects during the critical early socialisation window as you can. Make a checklist and tick them all off as you go! Here are some important ones to get you started: umbrellas, uniforms, hats, sunglasses, vacuums, wheelchairs, crutches, scooters, signs, flags and so much more!
- Exposure to Novel Environments: Introduce your puppy to a wide variety of settings, such as parks, busy urban streets, shopping centers, workplaces, beaches and car rides. Keep experiences positive and low-stress and it always helps if you have an well socialised adult dog with you who they can model from.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): involves brief, controlled stressors that help strengthen your puppy’s nervous system. While it’s typically done in the first few weeks of life by ethical breeders, you can continue applying these principles in the early weeks at home:
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): involves brief, controlled stressors that help strengthen your puppy’s nervous system. While it’s typically done in the first few weeks of life by ethical breeders, you can continue applying these principles in the early weeks at home:
- Tactile Stimulation: Gently massage your puppy’s paws, ears, and mouth to increase comfort with handling.
- Handling Techniques: Pick up your puppy, briefly holding them in different positions (on their back, gently cradled, etc.), which helps them develop tolerance to being in different situations and environments.
- Introducing Novel Sounds: Play sounds such as a vacuum cleaner, doorbells, music, sirens, or traffic noise to build your puppy’s tolerance to different auditory stimuli.
3 to 6 months
Expanding Socialisation
During this stage, your Finnish Lapphund is starting to become more independent, but they’re still very impressionable. Continue to build and develop their socialisation foundation while introducing them to new situations, stimuli and challenges.
- Basic Obedience: Begin introducing basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it.” Positive reinforcement methods (rewarding your puppy with treats, toys, or praise for correct responses) work best for reinforcing good behaviours and building communication.
- Positive Exposure to Other Dogs: As your puppy matures, they may become more selective in their interactions with other dogs. Continue exposing them to a wide variety of friendly, well-socialised dogs to reinforce good canine manners and reduce any tendency toward fear, intolerance or aggression.
- More Complex Environments: Introduce your puppy to busy, stimulating environments such as crowded parks, outdoor cafes, or city streets. Allow your Lapphund to observe from a safe distance and gradually increase the intensity of the experience. Always reward calm behaviour in these situations.
- Experiences: Continue exposing your puppy to a wide variety of people from different walks of life (e.g., people wearing uniforms, riding bicycles, pushing strollers or using mobility aides). Reinforce positive interactions by offering treats and praise.
- Visit New Places: Bring your Lapphund to different places like pet stores, friend’s houses, cafe's and the vet’s office (without needing an appointment) to give them positive associations with new locations.
6 to 12 months
As your Finnish Lapphund enters adolescence, you may notice some behavioural changes, including an increase in independence, boundary testing or slight wariness of new experiences. Most Finnish Lapphunds will experience their second fear period during this time which is completely is normal. You should continue to reinforce socialisation to a wider variety of exposures and continue positive reinforcement techniques to help them become well-adjusted adults.
Socialising with People
Maintain and broaden your positive exposure to a variety of people. Take your Finnish Lapphund to puppy playgroups or pet-friendly events where they can interact with different people in a variety of different structured settings. Focus on good handling by a variety of different people using desensitisation techniques. Desensitise your Lappy to being touched in different ways (ears, paws, teeth, and muzzle). Practice handling gently and reward your dog for remaining calm when in different surroundings with different noises & smells. This is important for future vet visits and grooming and always use positive reinforcement to make handling a rewarding experience.
Maintaining Socialisation with Dogs:
Playdates: Arrange regular playdates with other friendly and well socialised dogs. By now, your puppy should be comfortable interacting with dogs of all sizes and breeds. Look for opportunities for your Lappy to learn more advanced canine social cues, such as the complexities of appropriate play, body language and boundaries.
Group Training Classes: If you haven’t already, enroll your puppy in a group obedience class. This provides a structured environment for learning and reinforces good behaviour with distractions.
Dog Parks: Once your dog is comfortable with other dogs, you can gradually introduce them to dog parks. Observe their body language closely and ensure they learn to read other dogs' body language and teach them to respect other dogs’ personal space. Always ensure that any public off-leash dog parks or public spaces have a good reputation for having friendly dogs and responsible owners.
Exposure to Different Environments
Take your Finnish Lapphund to different environments (busy streets, parks, forests, quiet areas). This exposes them to a wide variety of different sights, sounds, and smells. On walks, vary your route to broaden your range of exposures. Challenge them with new positive experiences - like passing a skateboarder, a cyclist, or hearing loud noises like traffic or construction work. If your Lappy isn’t already used to car rides, take them on frequent trips to build up positive associations. Reward them for calm behavior inside the car and avoid long trips initially to prevent car sickness.
Socialising with People
Maintain and broaden your positive exposure to a variety of people. Take your Finnish Lapphund to puppy playgroups or pet-friendly events where they can interact with different people in a variety of different structured settings. Focus on good handling by a variety of different people using desensitisation techniques. Desensitise your Lappy to being touched in different ways (ears, paws, teeth, and muzzle). Practice handling gently and reward your dog for remaining calm when in different surroundings with different noises & smells. This is important for future vet visits and grooming and always use positive reinforcement to make handling a rewarding experience.
Maintaining Socialisation with Dogs:
Playdates: Arrange regular playdates with other friendly and well socialised dogs. By now, your puppy should be comfortable interacting with dogs of all sizes and breeds. Look for opportunities for your Lappy to learn more advanced canine social cues, such as the complexities of appropriate play, body language and boundaries.
Group Training Classes: If you haven’t already, enroll your puppy in a group obedience class. This provides a structured environment for learning and reinforces good behaviour with distractions.
Dog Parks: Once your dog is comfortable with other dogs, you can gradually introduce them to dog parks. Observe their body language closely and ensure they learn to read other dogs' body language and teach them to respect other dogs’ personal space. Always ensure that any public off-leash dog parks or public spaces have a good reputation for having friendly dogs and responsible owners.
Exposure to Different Environments
Take your Finnish Lapphund to different environments (busy streets, parks, forests, quiet areas). This exposes them to a wide variety of different sights, sounds, and smells. On walks, vary your route to broaden your range of exposures. Challenge them with new positive experiences - like passing a skateboarder, a cyclist, or hearing loud noises like traffic or construction work. If your Lappy isn’t already used to car rides, take them on frequent trips to build up positive associations. Reward them for calm behavior inside the car and avoid long trips initially to prevent car sickness.
Desensitisation to Novel Stimuli
Noise Desensitisation:
Keep exposing your Lapphund to common household noises such as the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, and doorbell. Expand to emergency sires, loudspeakers, bass sounds etc. Play these sounds at a low volume initially and gradually increase the volume as they remain calm. Reward calm behavior with treats. If you live in a noisy area, expose your Lappy to all types of city noises (e.g, traffic, construction, pedestrians) initially from a safe space where they can observe without being overwhelmed.
Novel Objects and Surfaces:
Continue to expose your Lappy to novel objects, such as umbrellas, mowers, bicycles, baby strollers and more. Work through your checklist and try to tick of all the items within their first 12 months. Use positive reinforcement to build positive associations and help them feel safe. Continue to walk your Lappy on different surfaces - grass, gravel, sand, wood floors, grates and tiles. Some dogs are nervous about new textures, so gradual exposure helps build confidence.
Training Basic Obedience in Public Settings
Practice foundational commands like sit, stay, come, leave it, and heel in various environments: outside, at the park, or in busy public places. Reinforce the idea that these commands should be followed regardless of location or distractions. Use food rewards or a favorite toy to keep them motivated, especially when there are high-value distractions (like other dogs or exciting smells).
Reinforce a solid recall with lots of positive reinforcement, especially when your Lappy is off-leash in a safe, enclosed area. Practice calling your Finnish Lapphund to you, rewarding them immediately when they come to you. Start in quiet areas and gradually increase distractions.
Good Socialisation with Animals and Wildlife
Encourage and seek out encounters with a wide variety of other animals. Organise for your Finnish Lapphund to meet other species (cats, horses, sheep, goats, livestock), and a variety of wildlife. Always introduce them slowly and keep them on a leash or a long line to ensure safety during these encounters. Gradually increase the level of exposure and allow them to observe and interact at their own pace, rewarding them for calm and positive behavior.
Regular Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Structured Walks and Playtime:
Finnish Lapphunds are an active breed, so regular exercise is key to their overall well-being and socialisation. Regular walks, hiking, and playing with toys in the yard help keep their energy in check. Mental stimulation is equally important. Puzzle toys, scent work, and training games help keep their minds engaged.
Use Interactive Games:
Games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek (with treats or toys) will keep your Finnish Lapphund’s social skills sharp and their bond with you strong.
Incorporate training into play - ask for a "sit" or "down" before rewarding with a toy or treat.
Preventing Fear-Based Issues
At 6-12 months of age, most Lappies go through their second fear period where they become more cautious, wary or guarded of unfamiliar things. Continue socialising them with positive reinforcement and be patient - avoid pushing them into situations that cause them distress, instead encourage exploration at their own pace. It can be completely normal for your Lappy to suddenly appear afraid of an object or situation they were usually fine with. This is just temporary and doesn't mean they're necessarily developing any specific phobias. Remain consistent and stick to your socialisation routine during the second fear period.
Reinforce good behaviour in new situations and maintain consistent training routines to help your Finnish Lapphund feel more secure and confident. Read our blog article on fear periods in puppy development for more information. If you notice fearful or aggressive tendencies, consider consulting a professional trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques to help with desensitisation and counter-conditioning.
Regular Vet Visits & Grooming Experiences
Routine Vet Visits:
Keep vet visits regular to get your dog used to being handled by professionals in a clinical setting. This helps prevent anxiety during health checks or vaccinations. Take treats and your dog’s favorite toy to the vet to keep the visit a positive experience.
Grooming Sessions:
Introduce grooming tools (brushes, nail clippers) slowly and pair them with positive rewards. Your Lapphund’s thick double coat may require regular grooming, so make it a fun, bonding experience.
conclusion
Socialising your Finnish Lapphund puppy in the first year of life is crucial to their long-term development as a well-behaved, confident adult dog. Early socialisation is a lot of work but also a worthwhile investment for you & your Lappy that will pay off in the form of a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted best friend for years to come. Owners need to be able to navigate the unpredictable nature of a wide variety of situations, exposures, people, animals and other stimuli to ensure their puppy has a positive learning experience. Consistency, kindness, structure and a love of adventure are essential to a successful approach. Put in the effort in your Finnish Lapphund's first year of life and your hard work will most certainly be rewarded.
