Puppy Socialization

Early puppy socialization experiences are vital if you want your puppy to enjoy a lifetime of confident, friendly communication with the world around him.

Puppy socialization helps build confident, friendly puppies who mature into well-behaved, calm and sociable dogs.

To give you a good idea about how to socialize a puppy, we've put together a list of the different kinds of people, places and objects to include when you begin to socialize a puppy.

Puppy Socialization - People

Dogs aren't very good at generalization, and so won't necessarily recognize a very tall man with a hat as being of the same species as a short lady wearing a dress!

Someone who looks different to the other people your puppy is used to seeing, may be seen as threatening or scary.

Make sure Fido has positive experiences with all of these:

• Children (including toddlers & babies if possible)


• Teenagers and young adults


• Adults


• Elderly


• Handicapped (people using wheelchairs, canes and walkers too)


• Tall people


• Short people


• Men with beards/mustache/facial hair


• People wearing hats


• People with different color skin/complexion


• Men with deep voices


• Women & children with high voices


• Women/girls with flowing skirts

Puppy Socialization - Places

If Fido only ever spends time in your home or yard, a trip to Petsmart (or even to the veterinarian's office) can be scary for him.

Once your puppy has had all his puppy vaccinations , try to make a trip to one of the following places (or any others you can think up) a regular part of your puppy socialization program :

• The Park -
  Try a daily walk to your local park, or your nearest dog park if your pup has a reliable recall (ie. 'comes' when called).

  You can even 'kill two birds with one stone', by sitting on the ground or on a bench near where children are playing. Feed Fido tasty treats while he watches the kids run and play, and hears their shouts and squeals. This will help him build positive feelings about being around children.



• The Beach -
  If you have a dog-friendly beach near you, it can be a great addition to your list of outings.

  The feel of the water and sand (be careful when it's really hot though, as little Fido can easily burn the pads of his feet on hot sand) and the sound of the waves and seagulls, are all new and interesting to him.



• The Forest/Woods -
  Try a short hike through your local woodlands, nature park or nature reserve. The sounds of the birds, twigs snapping and all the fascinating scents will keep Fido enthralled.




• Local Sports Event -
  You probably don't want to try a big football game, but a trip to the local youth soccer fields or baseball diamond is a great way to socialize your puppy.

  The talking, cheering, shouting and all the action on the field, provide a great opportunity for puppy socialization.

There's not enough room here to list all the places you can visit when you're wondering how to socialize a puppy, but the list below has a few good ideas to get you started.

Also, use your imagination and make the most of your particular environment. Great chances for puppy socialization also exist in the following places -

• Veterinarian's office


• Local farm or stables


• Street fair


• Outdoor cafe or coffee shop


• Superstore parking lot


• Doggy Day Care


• Dog Obedience School


• Pet supply store


• Drive-thru


• Skateboard park

Puppy Socialization - Things

Some you'll find in your own home or yard, others you'll need to go out looking for!:

• Noisy or moving appliances (eg. vacuum, washing machine, blender etc.)


• Stairs and steps


• Television & radio


• Cars, trucks & amp; buses


• Riding IN a car, truck or bus!


• Police/Ambulance/Fire-engine sirens


• Bicycles


• Skateboards and/or roller skates


• Long grass


• Gravel paths


• Elevators


• Wheelchairs, canes & walkers


• Wind & rain


• Rivers, creeks and the ocean

Your puppy's socialization program is limited only by your imagination and environment.

Have fun thinking of all the exciting things you can do with your puppy, and be sure to give her plenty of treats and praise whenever she reacts with confidence in a new situation, or when faced with new people or objects.

...one final thought

• Be prepared! -
  Always take some clean water and a bowl when you're taking little Fido to the park, beach or wherever. Have a spare leash on hand, and be sure that he's wearing his dog id tags too.


• Be responsible! -
  Also have on hand a 'baggie and scooper' of some sort to clean up any little messes your pooch may make. Dog owners need to be responsible citizens and not leave any trash or 'poop' in public places. Non-dog-owning people (and other dog owners) don't want their environment spoiled by carelessness.


• Be aware! -
  If you own a guardian breed, or one subject to breed-specific-legislation it's important to remember that your dog is an ambassador for it's breed. A well mannered, well socialized dog with a responsible owner can do much to improve the public perception of individual dog breeds.

Above all, we hope this checklist helps you to have fun with your puppy!

Socialization exercises are a great way to build and strengthen the relationship between you and your puppy, and your hard work will be rewarded when your pup matures into a confident, happy adult that you're proud to be seen with!

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