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Puppy Socialization

How to Socialize A Puppy – Made Easy

When you think about puppy training, what comes to mind might be how to teach them where to go to the bathroom; or how to teach them to sit and stay on command; or maybe how not to jump on people. But at the top of everyone’s list should be how to socialize a puppy. This is because a well socialized pup is so much easier to train. When a puppy is not properly socialized they tend to be fearful. That fear causes them to be less focused on you and more focused on what they are afraid of. This makes training very difficult.

However, if you have ever looked at some of the puppy socialization checklists, the process can feel a bit overwhelming. I know I was. But it doesn’t have to be. Join us as we show you easy steps to follow to socialize your puppy.

What is Puppy Socialization?

Puppy socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to everyday events in a calm and secure environment. The reason you want to do this, is to teach your puppy not to be afraid.

An example of this would be a vacuum. You and me know it is not something to be afraid of. But that loud sound can be very frightening to a puppy that doesn’t know what it is. This is where you come in. It’s your job to turn the scary things in life into non scary things.

Puppy Training Made Easy How to Socialize a Puppy

When Can You Start to Socialize a Puppy?

The puppy socialization process starts with their first ride in your car as you bring them home. That very first experience with your new puppy is teaching them what you are like and what it is like to go for a car ride with you. If they have a pleasant experience and continue to have pleasant experiences in the car, they will learn to love the car. However if it’s a traumatic experience your puppy might hate car rides for the rest of their life. But no pressure.

The reality is puppy socialization starts before your puppy comes to live with you. They begin to learn about the world through interactions with their previous family, the puppy’s mom and their litter mates. Hopefully what they have learned before living with you was positive. But even if it wasn’t, at 7 or 8 weeks old they are still young enough to overcome any bad experiences they may have had. You just need to give them lots of good ones.

Limited Time to Socialize a Puppy

The time you have to socialize your puppy is not unlimited. Puppies are most open to new things prior to 3 months old. Sometime between 3 and 4 months old your puppy will naturally start to become weary of the unknown.  But that doesn’t mean you should stop socializing them after 4 months old. A dog that has been taught to be confident will continue to be open to new things for life.

Health Concerns

Although it’s important to socialize a puppy early, it’s equally important not to expose them to deadly diseases before they are fully vaccinated. You can safely socialize your puppy in your home assuming there are no other non-vaccinated dogs.   Start the process by introducing them to all the sights and sounds that make your home a home. But do it slowly. Too much too soon can be overwhelming to a small pup that was just taken from the only home they knew.

First on the list should be the members of their new family and any other animals in the house. Next show them where they will sleep and eat.  Keep your puppy close to the family as much as possible so they can see and hear everything that is happening.

Arlo – Petfinder.com

Taking it outside

Socializing your puppy outside of your home has its risks. But the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that you start to socialize a puppy in safe places outside of your home once a puppy has received their first set of vaccinations and deworming at around 7 to 8 weeks old. But make sure it is a safe place. Pet stores and dog parks are not safe places for young puppies. For safe places to socialize your puppy check out our post, 5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize a Puppy

How to Socialize a Puppy  

As I mentioned above the process of socializing your puppy can be overwhelming if you try to do everything on the checklist before your puppy reaches 4 months old. Plus some of the items on the list may not even be necessary. An example of this is taking your puppy to a pet store. It is not necessary that your puppy go to a pet store. Any type of outing that involves people and other animals should suffice. In fact a pet store is not a safe place to take a puppy that has not been fully vaccinated, yet it was found on multiple checklists.

I strongly suggest that you use a checklist as a guide to help you think of all the things they should be exposed to. But you should prioritize what is most important to you and start there.

How to Introduce a Puppy to Something New

The most important thing to remember is to make sure the experience is a good one. One bad experience will last a lifetime. Also you do not need to make a big deal out of every new experience your puppy has. Your Puppy will learn that the sound of clanging pots and pans are just the normal sounds of making dinner without a special introduction. Same thing goes for noisy kids or any other sounds they will encounter in everyday life. As long as the puppy is not hurt they will learn that these noises are just the way things are when living with a family.

For new things that frighten your puppy, give them a treat to distract them the next time they are exposed to it. That way they will begin to association the event with something good.  This trick should work for new experiences but may not work if the puppy has already developed a fear of the event.

Exercise 1: Introducing Something New

As I mentioned above most puppies are afraid of the vacuum due to the loud noise they make. So it is your job to show your pup that the vacuum will not hurt them. Here are simple steps to teach your puppy not to be afraid of the vacuum.

  • Start the process by leaving the vacuum on the floor where they can see and smell it.
  • Don’t force them to go near the vacuum. When they are ready, they will explore it on their own.
  • After they are done smelling it, turn it on. Make sure they are a safe distance from it. Since they will not expect the loud noise, turning it on right next to them will frighten them.
  • Vacuum the room like normal while the puppy is close by. Try not to get too close to them. You don’t want them to think the vacuum is chasing them. They will most likely be afraid but curious at the same time.
  • While you are vacuuming throw some treats around the room you are vacuuming in. Keep the vacuum away from the treats.
  • Do not engage in your puppy while you are vacuuming.
  • Repeat this process each time you need to vacuum.

Over time your puppy will become use to the vacuum. They may even start to like it if they get treats every time it comes out.

The Goal is to Build Confidence

It’s impossible to introduce your puppy to everything they may encounter in life in their first few months. Therefore your goal is to teach your pup to be comfortable with new experiences. A puppy that is taught not to be afraid will grow up to be a confident dog. This also means teaching them how to react when they encounter something new.

Remember you are their greatest teacher. As a puppy they will learn to count on you to keep them safe. They will also learn how to react to things based on how you react. If you remain calm your puppy will also feel calm.

You may not realize this but your dog can pick up on subtle clues when you are feeling stress. Although well known by dog lovers this knowledge was re-affirmed by a recent study in Sweden. They compared the stress levels in dogs to their owners by measuring the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in their hair. They found that there was a strong correlation between the dog’s long-term cortisol levels and their owners.

Socialization Process

The socialization process can be broken down into four main parts: Handling; Sounds; Interactions; and Experiences. We will take a look at each one and give easy ways to accomplish them.

Handling

Bella

Handling refers to touching your pup in places they may not like. Places like their paws, ears, tail and mouth. It also means to be able to restrain them calmly when needed. Typically puppies don’t like to be handled. They want their freedom.

However learning to be handled is a very important life skill for dogs. A puppy that is not taught to be comfortable with being handled will make a difficult patient in the veterinarian’s office. It also will be difficult and dangerous to cut their nails or to groom them. Puppies that are not taught to be handled may become aggressive as an adult when someone tries to touch them.

Exercise 2: Handling

It’s easy to teach your puppy to become comfortable with handling. Try to do this exercise every day for the first month. Then do it a few times a month until they are an adult. It works best after some playtime or exercise, right before they are ready for a nap.

  • Start by sitting on the floor next to your puppy.
  • Pick them up and gently lay them on their back in your lap. Be careful of their back when you flip them. You want to make sure your puppy feels comfortable and secure. They will probably try to flip over but don’t let them. Talk calmly to your puppy and pet them to help relax them.
  • Once they have relaxed in your lap, start to touch them in different places. I provided a list below of places to touch them but don’t do everything every time you do this exercise. Pick a couple of spots to focus on each time.
  • Remember this is supposed to be a positive experience. Stop if your puppy is really struggling and try again later.
  • If your puppy really doesn’t like this exercise try giving them a treat to distract them.
  • If possible have other people you know and trust to perform the exercise as well. That way they will learn to be handled by a variety of people.

Handing Socialization List

  • Gently touch paws
  • Gently squeeze paws
  • Hold paws
  • Touch nails
  • Push back hair around nails
  • Touch bottom of feet in between their pads
  • Touch their face
  • Open eyelids
  • Touch their legs, belly and backs
  • Cradle puppy in your arms
  • Brush their teeth
  • Examine mouth and gums
  • Place your fingers in mouth
  • Touch nose
  • Check ears
  • Gently touch tail
  • Gently grab the skin
  • Hold puppy tightly
  • Hug puppy
  • Wipe puppy with towel
  • Grab their collar
  • Practice putting on collar or harness
  • Gently brush puppy with soft brush

Sounds

Many dogs are afraid of loud sounds like the vacuum, fireworks or thunderstorms. For sounds you can control like the vacuum follow the steps above on ‘How to Introduce your Puppy to Something New’. But for sounds that you cannot control, like thunder, you either need to wait for a storm to happen or you can use a YouTube video that play the sounds. I personally did not find the videos affective because it lacked the vibrations you feel in real storms. However if you have top of the line speakers you may be able to get the same effect as a real storm.

Sirens are another scary sound that might be hard to introduce them to. However, some volunteer firehouses have an open house for the community. You could attend one with your pup and ask if they will play the sirens.

How to socialize a puppy

Exercise 3: Thunderstorms

  • To introduce your puppy to the sounds of thunder keep a watch on the weather forecast to see when the next storm might be.
  • Then try to make arrangements so you are with your puppy at the time of the storm.
  • Gather a few toys and treats your puppy really likes before the storm hits.
  • When the storm starts to become loud, watch your puppy to see if they notice the sound.
  • Remember at this age they will react the same way you do. If you ignore the storm chances are so will they.
  • You want to distract your puppy from the sound as much as possible.
    • Play a game of tug or fetch
    • Work on some simple commands like sit and stay. Remember to reward them with their favorite treat to keep their focus.
    • Play the Go Find game. In the Go Find game you scatter small pieces of their favorite treat around the room for them to go find.
  • Do Not make a big deal of them being scared or of the sound. You need to act as you always do.

Sounds Socialization List

  • Fireworks
  • Doorbell
  • Smoke alarm
  • Car honking
  • Fire engine
  • Motorcycle
  • Yard tools (mower, leaf blower, etc.)
  • Baby crying
  • Thunderstorms
  • Grooming clippers
  • Kitchen appliances
  • Pots and pans
  • Vacuum Cleaner
  • Truck backing up
  • Traffic noise

Our Story

Since Bella was born in December she was over 6 months old the first time she heard fireworks. Even though the sound was new she was confident enough that she did not over react when she heard them.

Interactions

Interactions means meeting new people, dogs, or other animals.   Make sure you introduce your pup to a wide range of people and animals.   This includes a groomer if you have a dog that will need to be groomed.

An easy way to introduce your puppy to other dogs is to take them to a Puppy Socials.  Puppy socials allow you to introduce your pup to other puppies in a safe environment.   Look for a puppy social that is run by an experienced dog trainer. They should require proof of up-to-date vaccinations and deworming.   Not only will your pup get to meet and play with other puppies, you get the benefit of a trainer who can help you understand what normal play is versus aggressive play.  To learn more about Puppy Socials read Puppy Social – What to Expect.

Exercise 4: Interactions with People

An easy and safe way to introduce your puppy to new people is to do it in your home.

  • Invite people you know to come over and meet your new puppy. We invited the neighborhood kids to come over.
  • Keep the invite to only one or two people at a time
  • Allow the puppy to sniff the newcomers
  • Most puppies love to meet new people but if your puppy appears scared asked your guess to ignore them
  • Make sure your puppy has a safe place they can retreat to if they want
  • As you interact with your guess your puppy will follow your lead and start to relax around them.
  • When your puppy is ready to meet them they will move closer to your guest.
  • Remember the experience needs to be positive so don’t invite people who do not like dogs.
  • Ask people to wear different clothing (Hats, glasses dark coat, etc.)

Interactions Socialization List

Try to introduce your puppy to a wide range to people and animals. But don’t worry if you miss one or two. If your puppy has had a good experience with most people they will assume all people are good. Most issues with dogs not liking certain types of people come from a bad experience they had with that type of person.

  • Women
  • Men
  • People of all ethnicities
  • Children
  • Elderly
  • People with a cane or walker
  • Toddlers
  • Men in uniform
  • Other well behaved dogs
    • Large dogs
    • Small dogs
  • Cats
  • Any other animals they might reasonably encounter

Experiences

Experiences can be anything your dog may encounter in their life.  Things like going swimming or having a bicyclist past by. Think about how you plan to include your dog in your activities, than slowly introduce them to it. Start out with a less stressful experience like wearing a collar and walking on a leash. When they have mastered that you can move on to a more stressful situation like walking on the sidewalk on a busy street. 

An easy way to provide a vartiety of experiences in a safe environment is to go to Puppy Kindergarten. In Puppy Kindergarten, your pup will learn basic commands like sit, stay and come. In addition they will meet new people and their pups. They will also be exposed to things like being handled by a trainer or playing on different surfaces. Look for a puppy kindergarten that requires proof of vaccines and deworming. If they don’t require proof, look for another place.

Exercise 5: Practice Being Alone

Puppies are social creatures that want to be with us all the time. If it was up to them they would stay by our side always. But for most of us that is not possible. Since being alone is not something most puppies want, they need to be taught that being alone is ok. Our next exercise shows you how.

  • It’s important that your start off slow with this process. It will take weeks before your puppy will accept that he needs to be left alone sometimes.
  • Start when your puppy is young by placing them in their crate with a special treat or SAFE toy.
  • Make the crate comfortable with something to lie on and a shirt or blanket that smells like you.
  • Leave the room for a couple of minutes. At least until your puppy realizes you have left.
  • Come back in the room
  • Do not make a big deal of leaving or coming back
  • If your puppy is crying do not let them out of the crate. Wait in the room until they have stopped crying and then let them out.
  • Continue this exercise daily increasing the time.
  • This exercise will teach your pup that you will always come back.

Once you have increased the time to a half hour try leaving your home for short periods of time. Remember to always give them a treat.

Experiences Socialization List

It’s impossible to come up with a comprehensive list of experiences. The most important thing to think about is what your life is like now and what you plan to be dong in the next 15 years. Then try to include your puppy in as many of those experiences as you can early on.

  • Car rides
  • Umbrellas
  • City traffic
  • Walking on a busy sidewalk
  • Water/Swimming
  • Parking lots
  • Going inside building
  • Automated doors
  • Bicycles
  • Roller Blades/Skates
  • Strollers
  • Someone running
  • Beach

Here are 5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize your Puppy before they are four months old.

Where NOT to Socialize a Puppy

There are certain places you should never take your puppy before they are fully vaccinated. This includes any places where an unvaccinated dog might go. Places like pet stores or dog parks at not safe. If you must bring your puppy into a pet store carry them around.

Don’t Overdo It

Remember not to overdo it. When you socialize your puppy take it slow. Give your puppy time to rest in between new experiences. It is also important to make sure they have a safe place they can retreat to when they start to become over whelmed. Too much too soon can cause your puppy to become over stimulated and stressed.

The purpose of puppy socialization is to help your pup feel confident with the world around them.  A confident, at ease dog will be easy to control and a pleasure to be with.

Common Socialization Mistakes

Sometimes, even though we have the best of intentions, we still make mistakes during the socialization process.  Here are 10 common puppy socialization mistakes you don’t want to make.

For More on How to Socialize a Puppy

Puppy Socialization Basics - Gray puppy

Puppy Socialization Basics – What You Need to Know to Get Started

The dogs pictured in this post are a sample of the wonderful dogs that can be found on Petfinder.com (including our own Bella). I strongly suggest that you check out Petfinder.com the next time you are looking for a dog.

Puppy Socialization Mistakes

Puppy Socialization Mistakes

The benefits of a well socialized dog are endless. Puppies that are properly socialized are easier to train and a joy to be around.  They typically do not have the fear or aggression issues that are associated with dogs that have not been properly socialized. This in turn makes it easier for us to share our lives with them.  For these reasons we want to make sure we socialize our dogs properly.  But sometimes, even though we have the best of intentions, we still make mistakes during the socialization process.   I sure know I have. Here are 10 common puppy socialization mistakes people make.

Puppy Socialization Mistakes

10 Common Puppy Socialization Mistakes:

1. You stop socializing your puppy

Socializing your dog is a lifetime event. Just because they are no longer in the critical early socialization period, doesn’t mean you should stop socializing them.   We made this mistake with our current dog.  

Gray and white sitting puppy with wet hair looking sad.

From the time we brought her home at 9 weeks old until about 4 months old we made sure to bring her on car rides that did not include going to the veterinarian. We took her to fun places like the park or to our kid’s baseball games.  But over time the car rides stopped being a focus. What we didn’t realize at the time was that while the weather was cold the only time she went for a ride was to go to the groomers.  Not a favorite place for her.  This caused her to associate the car rides with unpleasant events.  This in turn caused her to cry whenever she was in the car.   

It took a lot of car rides and patience, but we were able to retrain her so she did not associate the car with something that was unpleasant.  As a poodle mix she will still visit the groomer, but we make sure it is not the only reason she goes for a ride.

Not sure how to get started with socializing your puppy? Check out our post on How to Socialize A Puppy – Made Easy

2.  Changing the tone of your voice

This is another one of the puppy socialization mistakes I am guilty of making. Speaking in a higher pitched calming voice worked for my kids so why not my fur babies?  That high pitched cooing voice you use with the kids tells your puppy that something has changed. With dogs, change is not good. It tells them they need to be on guard as they try to figure out why you are acting different.  Instead try to remain as clam as possible and speak to them in your normal voice. The goal of introducing your pup to new experiences is to show them that “new” is no big deal.  

In addition to speaking in your normal voice, you need to relax your body. If you become tense during an encounter with something new, your pup will follow your lead.  

In a recent study Swedish researchers compared the stress levels in dogs to their owners. They did this by measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the hairs of both the dogs and their owners.  It was found that there was a strong correlation between the dogs long-term stress levels and their owners.

3. Bring your puppy to a dog park

Dog parks are not a place you want to bring your puppy. There are many dangers lurking in a dog park that you cannot see. Since young puppies are not fully vaccinated they are vulnerable to picking up diseases in the park.   Canine diseases can be transmitted either through direct contact with a sick dog, through animal feces or picked up through the soil and water bowls.  Did you know that Canine Parvovirus can live in contaminated soil for a very long time?  Even if there is no other dogs at the dog park you still run the risk of your dog getting sick.

To learn more about the risk of disease at dog parks, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s page on Dogs’ Social Lives and Disease Risks – Tips for Canine and Human Safety

In addition to the risk of disease, you risk your puppy getting hurt by another dog. Larger dogs may look at a small puppy running around and view them as prey.  Even dogs with the best recall might ignore their owners when the hunt is on.

In dog parks you often cannot control the situation.  We took our adult dog to the dog park once.  It was a very bad experience. Once she was loose in the park, she was mobbed by a pack of dogs.  They were mostly friendly, but being surrounded by dogs was overwhelming for her.  Plus there were a few dogs that wanted to show their dominant by nipping at her. The other dog owners did nothing to help. Remember when you socialize your puppy you want to make sure all the experiences are positive.

For more information about the dangers of Dog Parks read; Dog Park Concerns and Tips on How to Protect your Dog

4. Taking your puppy to any kind of pet store

Pet Stores have some of the same issues as dog parks.  You won’t know if the other dogs there are aggressive or if they might be sick. Although you shouldn’t have to worry about loose dogs roaming the store, it is still possible for an aggressive dog to lunge at your puppy as they walk by.  It is also not uncommon to see a store employee cleaning up after an accident.  Remember, canine diseases can last a long time and are hard to kill.

If must bring your puppy to a pet supply store you should carry him at all times.  I recommend never taking your puppy into a place that sells puppies.  To understand why read the Humane Society of US investigation of puppy stores: HSUS undercover investigation reveals more sick, dead puppies at Petland stores

5. Taking your puppy from their mother too soon

Some breeders will allow you to take your puppy home at 6 weeks old. This is generally not recommended.  According to the AKC article What Is the Best Age to Send Puppies to Their New Homes?, “most veterinarians and breeders agree that 7-to-8 weeks of age is the prime time for a puppy to meet its new family.”  Prior to this age your puppy’s first teachers should be their mother and littermates. It’s at this time that puppies are learning to be dogs. Through play they learn what is acceptable and what is not. This includes learning impulse control and bite inhibition through feedback from their mother and siblings.

6. Overwhelm your puppy

One of the common puppy socialization mistakes is trying to do too much too fast.  I know, because I have been there. We received a puppy socialization checklist at our first puppy kindergarten class. It must have had 50 or more recommendations of things we should expose our puppy to.  Just looking at the list was overwhelming to me. It’s natural to want to combine a few items on the list. However, it’s more important that each experience is a positive one, even if you don’t accomplish everything on the list.

In my post 5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize your Puppy, I mentioned how we invited our neighbors over to meet our puppy. When doing this we always made sure it was only one or two people at a time.  If we invited the whole neighborhood over to meet her at the same time, she would most likely become over stimulated by all the attention.  You need to make sure every encounter is a safe and comfortable one. Also it is very important that your puppy has a way to retreat if they are feeling overwhelmed.  

7. Socialize them outside of the house too soon.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends that you wait until at least 7 days after your puppy has received their first round of vaccines and a first deworming before you begin to socialize them outside of your home.  The first round of vaccines and deworming generally happen at around 7-8 weeks of age.  However these are general guidelines. You should ask your veterinarian when it is safe for your puppy to go to public places.   Puppies that are taken out in public before their first round of vaccines run the risk of picking up a disease.   Puppies should then be kept up to date on all vaccines going forward.

8. Start the socialization process too late

Because of health concerns some people wait until their puppy is fully vaccinated at 4 months old.  If you wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated you will miss out on the critical socialization period. This is the period where sociability outweighs fear. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that “the most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life.”

9. Restraining your pup while introducing something new

This is one of the puppy socialization mistakes I see most often.  The typical scenario is when two puppies meet for the first time.  The puppies are pulling on their leash to get closer and the owners are pulling them in the opposite direction.  While this might make sense to do with your older dog, restraining your puppy while they are investigating someone or something new will signal to them that this is something to be afraid of.

Try not to restrain your puppy when you introduce them to something or someone. As long as you know the situation is safe, give your pup a chance to explore without restraining them.

10. You wing it

Every time you introduce your puppy to something or someone new you should be in control of the situation.  Do your research.  You should know what to expect ahead of time.  Some things you should think about when deciding to take your puppy out to socialize them are:  

  • How might the puppy react?
  • Will there be a lot of people there?
  • Will it be overwhelming for your puppy?
  • It is safe?
  • Will there be other dogs?
  • Is there a safe place for them to retreat?

Taking your puppy out somewhere and hoping for the best is not the right way to safely socialize your pup.

These 10 mistakes are not the only puppy socialization mistakes one can make, but it is a good start.  

For more information on puppy training, check out these posts:

  • 10 Secrets to Easy Puppy Training
  • How to Stop a Puppy from Biting
  • Crate Training – Made Easy
  • Pet Insurance – 8 Things You Should Know

5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize your Puppy

Socializing your puppy before they turn 4 months old will lead to a confident and well behaved dog. This is because a well socialized pup is so much easier to train. When a puppy is not properly socialized they tend to be fearful. That fear causes them to be less focused on you and more focused on what they are afraid of. This makes training very difficult. But you need to socialize them in a safe manner before they are fully vaccinated. Join us as we review 5 safe and easy ways to socialize your puppy.

If you are unfamiliar with puppy socialization, or why you should socialize your puppy a good place to start is to read the How to Socialize A Puppy – Made Easy

5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize your Puppy

1. Join a Puppy Social

Puppy socials are a great, easy and safe way to expose your young puppy to other dogs, people and experiences.   Many dog trainers will offer puppy socials for their clients.  Unlike puppy kindergarten or dog training, puppy socials do not provide training.  The main purpose of a puppy social is to give puppy owners a safe place to bring their puppy to play with other puppies.  

In addition to providing a safe place for puppies to meet and play, a good puppy social should offer other experiences like obstacles to play on, toys to share and different surfaces to explore.  

The puppy social should have enough trained staff to watch over the puppies and handle any issue that may arise. Puppies should be separated based on size and energy level to avoid injury.

Also there should be a requirement to provide proof of up-to-date vaccines and deworming before attending a social.   If you find a puppy social that does not have this requirement, look elsewhere.

What to Look For in a Puppy Social:

  • Requires proof of up-to-date vaccines and deworming
  • Located in a clean environment, with safety features and an easy to clean floor
  • Separates puppies by size and energy levels
  • Has adequate trained supervision

To learn more about what to expect at a Puppy Socialization class and to read about our own experience taking our puppy to a class go to Puppy Social- What to expect

2. Setup a Puppy Play Date

If you are unable to go to a puppy social you can create your own.  Invite a couple of friends and their pups for an hour of free play in a fenced in backyard. All puppies should be healthy and up-to-date with their vaccines and deworming.

Make sure all the dogs have a good temperament and are none aggressive.  Larger dogs may view smaller puppies as prey so you should try to invite the same sized dogs to the party. Also try to keep the dog’s ages close.  An older dog probably would not like a bunch of young puppies running around and jumping on them.

If you don’t have access to a safe, fenced-in backyard, an unfinished basement can work.  Remember to take a water break and then a bathroom break halfway through the time allotted to limit the potential accidents.

All dog owners should stay for the romp to make sure their pup behaves.  Any aggressive dogs should be removed from the area.

To break up the excitement and to give the puppies a chance to rest you can sprinkle plain cheerios around for them to find.   This should not be done around any dog that has shown food aggression.

Tip: Do not meet at a dog park. Dog parks hold many dangers for young puppies. To learn more about the dangers of dog parks and how you can protect your dog read: Dog Park Concerns and Tips on How to Protect your Dog

3. Go For a Ride

Whether it is a trip to the vet or a family vacation unless you live in a city (and never leave) most dogs will need to get used to going for a car ride.  Despite the many pictures of happy dogs with their heads sticking out the window of a moving car, enjoying a car ride is a learned reaction. It is also one of the safer socialization activities you can expose your young pup too, as long as you don’t take them out of the car.    

Because many puppies can experience motion sickness, it is best to start taking short trips and built up to longer ones.   It is also important to make the trips fun.  If the only time they go for a ride is to go to the vet to be poked they will associate a ride in the car with pain and discomfort.

To make the trip more enjoyable have someone sit with the puppy so they don’t feel isolated.  The puppy should be secured in the middle seat with either a car restraint or a carrier for their safety and yours.  Give your puppy a favorite toy that they only get on car rides to take their mind off of the motion of the car. You can also play soothing music.  But don’t coddle your puppy.   A trip in the car should be viewed as no big deal.   

A Word on Motion Sickness

As I mentioned before puppies are prone to motion sickness, but according to the VCA “Many puppies will “outgrow” motion sickness by the time they’re about 1 year old.” To reduce the risk of motion sickness you should:

  • Wait several hours after eating before going for a ride.
  • Secure the puppy in the middle of the car where they can look forward
  • Take short trips and gradually move up to longer ones
  • Keep the car cool
  • Open the windows to reduce the pressure on your pup’s ears

When you are able to move up to longer rides remember to bring water and stop often if they are prone to get sick.

4. Have a Meet and Greet

Having a meet and greet in your home is a great way for your puppy to meet a variety of people in a safe environment. Setting up times for people to come over and meet your new puppy is an easy way to socialize them.

When we brought Bella home it didn’t take long for the neighborhood kids to start coming over to meet our new puppy.   We limited their visits to one at a time and no longer than a ½ hour at a time.  This allowed Bella to meet children of all different ages, looks and personalities in the comfort of her own home.  

We also invited our adult neighbors and our extended family members to come visit our newest addition.  When people came over we asked that they remove their shoes and wash their hands before going near her to reduce the risk of Bella picking up a disease from the outside. As with the kids, we only allowed one or two adults to meet her at a time. Too many people can overwhelm a young puppy.

In addition to the in house meet and greets we would carry Bella out with us each morning to wait for the school bus to come.  The kids loved the opportunity to pet her soft fur and get puppy kisses. 

5. Puppy Kindergarten

Puppy kindergarten is more than just a dog training class for puppies.  A good puppy kindergarten will provide time for puppies to mingle and play together. Plus experienced trainers will further your pup’s socialization by introducing them to new experiences through role playing.

For more information on Puppy Socialization:

  • Puppy Socialization Basics
  • Puppy Socialization Mistakes

Puppy Socialization Basics

Why Puppy Socialization is So Important

If you have or are planning to get a new puppy, you may have heard that the key to a happy, well-adjusted, well behaved dog is to socialize them properly as a puppy.  The reason for this is that puppy socialization teaches your puppy about the world around them. Through interactions with other living and non living things, they will learn what is safe and what is not. It also teaches your puppy how they should react to commmon situations. A puppy that has not been socialized properly may grow up to be fearful of the unknown

To give you an idea of just how important it is to socialize your puppy the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior issued a position statement on the subject.  In AVSAB’s Position Statement on Puppy Socialization, it states that “it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated”.  They go on to say that “early and adequate socialization and programs of positive training can go a long way to preventing behavior problems”. Studies have shown that behavior problems are caused by poor socialization and is the number 1 reason dogs are surrendered to shelters. It is also the primary cause of death for dogs under three years of age. 

Having had a dog that was not properly socialized as a puppy, I can attest that it does cause you and your dog hardships for their entire life.

Our Story

After having a rescue dog with many behavioral and medical issues we decided that our next dog would not be a rescue. This time we were going to look for a reputable local breeder.    But we really didn’t know what breed of dog we wanted, so we decided to look at puppy stores just to see what was available.  This of course, was a mistake.

Molly

Molly was the cutest, little tail wagging puppy I had ever seen.   She was a 2 month old friendly English Springer Spaniel that just wanted to play.  When we took her to a room to play with her she was so excited that she was literally sliding up the walls. I told my husband that she was too hyper for us (actually I told him the dog was crazy) and that we shouldn’t buy from a puppy store, but he was falling for her.   I convinced him not buy her and left the store.

But he couldn’t stop thinking about her and two months later he stopped by the store to find that she was still there.  After hearing that she was going to be put down, we decided to buy her at a steeply discount price.  

At this point Molly had been living in the store for two months.  Since she was a puppy mill puppy, I assume she was born in a crate and lived in one until she was shipped thousands of miles to the store.  

We knew puppy mill puppies could have medical issues, what we didn’t know at the time was that living in that environment for so long, severely affected her social skills. 

Social Skills

Soon after bringing her home we started noticing Molly’s lack of social awareness.  Since she was four months old and fully vaccinated we were free to take her out for walks to the local park. We had a friend that lived near the park that we would visit on the way.   There we would meet up with other dog parents to chat and our pups were free to mingle. But Molly always seemed to annoy the other dogs.   She didn’t notice the social clues they were giving her.  One day, one of the adult dogs snapped at her.  She took notice at the time, but continued to be clueless around other dogs. This lead to her being bit in the park by an older dog who did not appreciate her high energy.  

When she turned 6 months we sent her to doggy day care a few times a week to socialize with other dogs, but just like at the park she didn’t seem to be able to get along with the other dogs.  Again she was bitten. By the time she was 1 year old she started to go on the offense. When she met another dog, she would bite them before they bit her.  This was a problem. 

Afraid of People

Molly was also afraid of people.   She was ok with adults, though she would urinate whenever an adult would pay attention to her, sometimes on their feet.  Children were a different story.  She was afraid to let them near her.  If they got too close she would let out a warning bark.   We were afraid that one day she would bite a child, like she did with dogs.

Over time she learned to trust people and we learned she could not be near other dogs.   Although we were able to correct some of her issues through training, she never completely overcame her fears. I do believe all her issues arose from not being socialized at that critical stage in her life.

What is Puppy Socialization? 

What is Puppy Socialization? Gray puppy with black cat

Socializing your puppy means introducing them to as many new people, places, sounds, and experiences that can be safely achieved without causing overstimulation. The optimal time to socialize your puppy is before they are 3 months old. Sometime between the ages of 3 and 4 months your puppy will naturally start to become weary of the unknown.  Now that doesn’t mean you should stop socializing them after 4 months. It just means they are the most open to new things before 3 months old.

But exposing your pup to new experiences is not enough. You want to teach them how to react when encountering something new.  To do this you must be calm when exposing them to new situations.  You can also use distraction as a way to keep your pup calm. Giving them their favorite treat can turn a frightening experience into a pleasant one.

In a recent study Swedish researchers compared the stress levels in dogs to their owners by measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their hair.  It was found that there was a strong correlation between the dogs long-term stress levels and their owners.

When to Start Socializing

Puppies start the socialization process when they are still with their litter.  They follow clues from their mother regarding the rules of the house and they learn about proper play through interactions with their littermates.   But when you bring your puppy home, you become their primary teacher.

Socialization can begin inside your house as soon as you bring them home.  Introduce them to the other members of your family, to where they will sleep and to their new food bowls.  If you plan to crate train them, you should introduce them to the crate.

For simple steps to get you started on crate training read: Crate Training Made Easy

According to the AVSAB position you can start to socialize them in safe places outside of your home once your puppy has received their first set of vaccinations and deworming at around 7 to 8 weeks old.

How to Socialize a Puppy  

The socialization process can be broken down into main three categories:

Handling

How to socialize a puppy - Black puppy

Handling means getting your pup used to being touched, either by you, family members, the groomer, the veterinarian or other people.  It can be as simple as having new people pet them or a trip to the veterinarian.

When working on handling your pup, think about all the things that might be done to your pup as they grow up. Things like grabbing their ears, looking in their ears, holding their paws, touching their nose, rubbing their tummy and holding them in your lap.

Interactions

Interactions are meeting new people, dogs, or other animals.   Make sure you introduce your pup to a wide range of people and animals.  

Puppy Socials are a great way to introduce your pup to new people and puppies in a safe place.   Most puppy socials are run by professional trainers who require proof that the puppies are up-to-date with their vaccinations and deworming.   Not only will your pup get to meet and play with other puppies, you get the benefit of a trainer who can help you understand what normal play is versus aggressive play.  To learn more about Puppy Socials read Puppy Socialization Classes- What to expect

Experiences

Puppy Socialization Basics - Puppy on blue stand

Experiences can be anything your dog may encounter in their life.  Think about how you plan to include your dog in your activities, than slowly introduce them to it. Start out with a less stressful experience like getting used to wearing a collar and walking on a leash. When they have mastered that you can move on to a more stressful situation like walking on the sidewalk on a busy street. 

A good way to provide experiences in a safe environment is to go to Puppy Kindergarten. In Puppy Kindergarten, your pup will be exposed to different dog owners and their pups. In addition to new people and dogs they will learn basic commands like sit, stay and come. They will also be exposed to things like being handled by a trainer or playing on different surfaces. However, if you find a puppy kindergarten or puppy social that does not require proof of vaccines and deworming look for another place.

Here are 5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize your Puppy before they are four months old.

Don’t Overdo It

White puppy laying down

Remember not to overdo it. Puppy socialization should take place over time with time in between for your puppy to rest and feel safe.  Too much too soon can cause your puppy to become over stimulated and stressed. The main purpose of puppy socialization is to help your pup feel confident with the world around them.  A confident, at ease dog will be easy to control and a pleasure to be with.

Sometimes, even though we have the best of intentions, we still make mistakes during the socialization process.   I sure know I have. Here are 10 common puppy socialization mistakes you don’t want to make.

To learn more about puppy socialization and training read:

  • Puppy Socials- What to expect
  • Crate Training Made Easy
  • How to Stop Your Puppy’s Destructive Chewing
  • 5 Safe and Easy Ways to Socialize your Puppy
  • Puppy Socialization Mistakes

Puppy Social – What to Expect

Why Take a Puppy to a Puppy Social?

Taking your puppy to a well-run puppy social fills a need every puppy has, to be introduced to their world at a young age. The first three months in your puppies life is a critical time. This is the time that puppies are most open to new experiences.  After this time period your puppy will naturally begin to develop fears of the unknown. 

Puppy Social

But there is a catch.  It is essential that you do not expose your young puppy to germs that can be harmful to them before they are fully vaccinated. This makes the task of exposing your puppy to all the sights and sounds of everyday life including interacting with other dogs difficult.  To fill this need many dog trainers are now offering puppy socials.  

The key to a happy, well-adjusted, well behaved dog is to socialize them properly as a puppy.  The reason for this is that puppy socialization teaches your puppy how to be comfortable in our world. To learn more about Puppy Socialization and what you need to know to get started read: Puppy Socialization Basics

What Happens at a Puppy Socialization Class?

A puppy socialization class is a safe supervised place where puppies younger than 5 months old can run and play with other puppies. The Puppy Social we attended consisted of 45 minutes of playtime with other puppies plus time with toys and fun obstacles. The trainer-supervised play sessions guaranteed safe play opportunities for all the puppies while teaching us what normal puppy behavior looked like. 

Puppy Socials - What to expect. Young puppy at a puppy social with a ball.

What to Look for When Choosing a Puppy Social?

When deciding on which Puppy Social you should attend look for the following features to help ensure it is a fun and safe place for your puppy:

  • Required age limits –Dogs should be close in age for safety.
  • Require proof of up-to-date vaccines and deworming before allowing puppies to participate. 
  • Supervision – Make sure there is adequate knowledgeable supervision to deal with any issues that may arise. 
  • Look for a social that limits the number of participants
  • A well run puppy social will divide the dogs by size and temperament. 

My Dog’s Got Class Dog Training

We chose the My Dog’s Got Class Dog Training – Puppy Social for our 13 week old puppy Bella because of the great reviews, convenient location and required proof of age appropriate vaccines.  They were also recommended by our veterinarian who resides at the same location.

Sign-up

Signing up for the puppy social was easy to do.  Once we created a profile, we signed-up for the class on line.  Payment could be made either on-line or at the start of the class.

Room set up

After walking through the front door we entered into a small foyer with low wooden gates.  We were instructed to unleash Bella and then open the gates to let her into the main area. This safety feature was to prevent other dogs from rushing to her, possibly overwhelming her, while we were trying to take her leash off.   

Once inside, the large room was divided between large and small breed puppies. Since there were twice as many small breed puppies they had twice the room to run around.  Both sides of the room had different tactile objects like tunnels and Fit Paws balance equipment to run around, jump on and play with.   The puppy owners were asked to sit off to the side and not interfere with the puppies, while the trainers that were stationed on both sides kept watch making sure the dogs played in a safe, polite manner.

New friends

Puppy Socialization - new friends

For Bella this was the first time since she was brought home at 9 weeks old that she had a chance to play with other dogs.  It was clear that she did not know how to play properly with other dogs.  She was more aggressive then the other puppies. We were assured by the trainer that she would settle down after awhile once she found her place.  

At one point she was playing too rough with a Bernice Mountain puppy who was much larger than her and the tables were turned. Bella became the one running away, scared, but it taught her a valuable lesson.  If you want someone to play nicely with you, you need to play nice too. 

Break time

The dogs were given water after about 20 minutes of running. Then it was time to bring them outside for a bathroom break.  Just outside the entrance was a fenced in yard for the dogs to use. There are also waste bags to clean up after them.  Once the puppies were done with their business they went back inside to run and play some more.

Cheerio time

From time to time the trainers would throw out cheerios for the puppies. This was done to encourage breaks in the activity, especially when some of the puppies started to get too excited.  My daughter and a couple of other young girls were asked to help toss the cheerios as a way to familiarized the puppies to young children.

End of Puppy Socialization Classes

During the second half of play time Bella was calmer and tired.  She became less interested in the other dogs and more interested in the tennis balls and cheerios. You can see her here hoarding tennis balls. We think it was a great experience for her. 

For more Puppy Training

  • Puppy Socialization Basics
  • Crate Training Made Easy
  • Puppy Proofing Your Home – 10 Silent Dangers
  • What You Need for a New Puppy

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Happyoodles is a free resource that offers real life experiences and researched information on finding and caring for your perfect pup.

We publish dog stories, dog news, tips and product buying advice for dog parents.

Happyoodles is owned and operated by two dog lovers and one cute pup named Bella, a poodle mix we rescued from a shelter.

 

Recent Posts

  • 2021 Annual Pet Bloggers Journey
  • Pet Cemeteries: A practical guide to burying your dog
  • DIY Dog Christmas Ornament: Easy, No-Sew, Recycled
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  • The Perfect Dog Christmas Sweater for 2020

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