4 Effective Ways to Socialize Your Puppy
If you are bringing your puppy home and you’re overwhelmed with everything you must accomplish, you aren’t alone! Many of our clients seemed overwhelmed about where to start, so here are some quick tips to ensure you feel confident and comfortable socializing with your new puppy. We also have a more in-depth article you can find HERE.
Socialize Your Puppy at Home
Many people think of puppy socialization as taking your pup to the dog park and letting them meet as many people and dogs as possible. Hard stop. That approach will most likely overwhelm your puppy and isn’t setting them up for success.
Socialization takes time and planning, but it does not have to be complex, complicated, or detrimental to your puppy’s social skills. Instead of bringing your puppy out into the world, start socialization in your home.
You can expose your puppy to different surfaces, noises, and experiences by using everyday items you have lying around.
Search Youtube for noises like playgrounds, construction, traffic, and a dog barking.
Before your puppy arrives, record the sound your vacuum, dishwasher, and washing machine make and play those at low volumes for easy desensitization.
Utilize items like cookie sheets, aluminum foil, cardboard, and even bubble wrap to introduce your pup to walk on different surfaces.
Wear different outfits with accessories like hats, sunglasses, jackets, umbrellas, and bags.
Invite people over for quiet play times and introductions.
Expose Your Dog To Grooming and Equipment
Grooming should be frequent with every dog, regardless of their coat type. Grooming and body handling can help you notice any health changes. Acclimating your dog to being brushed, nail trims and dremel, and body handling will make it more accessible during their puppy vet visits and if they go to the groomer.
Practice rubbing your pup’s ears, paws, and belly when resting near you.
Brushing your pup with a soft brush while using a snuffle mat or Lickmat can create a positive experience for them.
Nail care is often a challenge clients express to us during training sessions. Get ahead of it by handling the clippers by your pup’s paws and trimming your pup’s nails every couple of days. Start with positive paw rubs first if they don’t like their paws touched.
Expose your pup to actions like looking in their ears and eyes, feeling their belly, and gently lifting their tail. These are all actions done in a physical exam at the vet.
Most pups are not exposed to wearing a collar, leash, or harness before you bring them home.
Getting your pup used to wear this equipment will make walks and outings so much easier.
Start with getting your dog acclimated to wearing a collar. Make sure you take the collar off when they aren’t supervised! You can put the collar on and then play with your pup, so they don’t overthink it.
Have playtime sessions and walk around the house with your pup wearing their leash and collar, dragging the leash behind them. I like using a four or 6-foot nylon leash from Lupine so it can be replaced, even if chewed!
Introduce the harness. Lure your pup into the headpiece using a piece of food and giving the food when their head is in the harness. Practice several times during training, so your puppy anticipates a treat after they have their harness on!
Socialize Your Puppy on Quick Outings
Puppies don’t need to head to the brewery or go on a long hike their first time out of the house. Instead, consider carrying them around a dog-friendly store like home improvement stores, Joann’s, and HomeGoods.
Carrying your puppy during their first outings allows you to support them if they feel nervous. Looking at the human world from the ground can be scary for many puppies!
Always bring high-value treats and have a plan to exit if you notice your puppy is overwhelmed or uncomfortable.
Here are some ideas:
Short car rides
Riding through the drive through
Waiting in the car while someone else goes inside for an errand
Walking through the home improvement store on a quiet day
Watching a school bus stop from afar (be at a far enough distance so your pup won’t be startled by the air brakes!)
Being held while walking through a playground on the weekend.
Socialize Your Pup to Make Them Feel Safe
Socialization isn’t about exposing your pup to everything on a checklist and rushing through it. Socialization is about preparing your puppy for the life they will live with you.
If your pup is a shy, timid dude who would rather stay home and snuggle, don’t focus on taking him to busy parks. Instead, focus on making him comfortable when people come to your house.
Do you have a pup you’ll be walking around with many other people and dogs? Pick a bench or lay down a big blanket out of the way where your pup can hang out and observe the comings and goings outside a coffee shop, park, or shopping center.
What to do if your pup shows signs of fear:
If your puppy is on the ground, lower down to their level or pick them up
Move away from the exposure that made them uncomfortable
Practice training like a hand target, saying their name and getting a piece of food, or finding scattered food.
If your pup recovers quickly and shows interest, you can follow their lead and allow more investigation.
If your pup continues to show fear or discomfort, continue supporting them and move on to something else. You can make a plan for more positive exposure in the future.
The bottom line with socialization is to socialize the pup in front of you and for your lifestyle, make each exposure positive and comfortable, and make sure you focus on quality over quantity.
