Remember way back in kindergarten you were taught to "socialize" with other kids? You know, how to share, and ask nicely, get along with others, and be quiet when you were told. We have to teach our puppies the same thing. How to get along and play nicely. They learn a lot from their litter mates on how to get along with other Gordons, but we also need to socialize them with humans. From the time your litter is 2 weeks old, they should be exposed to human touch and sound on a daily basis. Twice or three times, is even better. At about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks they start to play with each other. At 4 weeks they are on their feet nice and steady and starting to really wrestle with their litter mates. Socialize them with your family and friends. It's great to allow kids to play with them, but an adult should always supervise for the safety of the kids, as well as the puppies. Remember, the puppies are babies also. After our puppies are about 3 days old, we handle them 2 or 3 times a day. I nuzzle them under my chin, stroke them, and even talk to them. I wash my hands before I handle them and after I handle them. Socializing your Gordon is important for good behavior in the home and the field.
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