It’s overwhelming to think about how you’re going to socialize a new dog or puppy.
I created a list of different people, animals, situations, sights, sounds and experiences you may want to introduce to your pup.
It’s a huge list, but it’s not like you have to expose your puppy to everything.
Pick one or two new situations or experiences per week. It will help your puppy tremendously.
Try to think about your lifestyle and the situations you’d like your puppy to be comfortable with ideally.
I liked to take my old dog Ace on boat rides, for example, but this may not be something you plan to do with your dog.
Socialization is about slowly introducing the pup or dog to new things over time in a positive way. Don’t underestimate the power of hot dogs to help create positive associations!
So here’s my list. Please add your suggestions in the comments, because there’s no way I can think of everything myself.
Things to safely introduce to your puppy or new dog
1. introduce your puppy to different types of people
All types of “strangers” in general if you can. Women, men, seniors, teenagers, elementary-aged kids, pre-school kids, toddlers, babies, etc. The key: start taking your puppy for walks early. and make a point to drive to different parks and locations for walks.
2. introduce your puppy to different types of clothing
Sometimes different article of clothing can surprise a dog.
So try to introduce your puppy to people wearing backpacks, different types of hats, big coats, big sunglasses, uniforms, suits, boots, helmets, face masks, etc.
Also think about the different seasons. If you will take your dog out on cross country trails in the winter, they may be started by people on skis or people wearing goggles and face masks.
*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Clicca qui
3. introduce your puppy to bikes, strollers, traffic, etc.
People in wheelchairs, people using crutches or walking with a cane, people pushing strollers, people on bikes or roller blades.
People walking at different speeds – runners, seniors moving stiffly and slowly, kids running and squealing, people running or biking with dogs, etc.
4. get your puppy used to seeing people holding tools
Shovels, rakes, weed-whackers, skis, oars, hiking poles, etc.
5. introduce your puppy to other animals
Cats, kittens, hamsters, ducks, chickens, horses, pet rabbits, any type of animal you think the pup might live with or be around later in life.
6. introduce your puppy to different surfaces
(Thanks for this tip, Colby!) Sand, rocks, gravel, pavement, slippery or shiny floors, wooden walkways, tiles, concrete, dirt, snow, grass, agility equipment.
7. get your puppy used to water
Swimming at the lake, the ocean, the river, plastic kiddie pool, playing with the hose, riding on a boat or floating on a raft, standing on a paddle board or sitting in a kayak, etc.
8. get your puppy used to grooming & handling
Being held or carried, having a bath, getting brushed & having nails trimmed, teeth brushed, having all body parts touched – feet, tail, nails, toes, ears, face, teeth.
9. get your puppy used to riding in the car
Going through a car wash, going through a drive-thru window, driving by lots of pedestrian traffic such as school parking lots, etc. See my friend Dawn’s tips on getting a dog used to the car.
*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Clicca qui
10. introduce your puppy to riding in a boat
Or standing on a dock, fishing or watching boats.
11. introduce your puppy to a lot of other dogs
Dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds on and off leash, including other puppies. I highly recommend obedience or puppy socialization classes.
12. gradually expose your puppy to loud noises
You don’t want to scare your puppy, but I would start introducing your puppy to loud noises from a distance and then slowly move closer over a few weeks. things like trucks, trains, tractors, snowmobiles, motorcycles, school buses, lawnmowers, gun shots, fireworks. Our lab breeder suggests doing a gun intro at around 5-6 months for lab puppies and to do so very gradually, from a distance.
13. expose your puppy to loud indoor noises
Vacuum, blender, loud TV like football games, smoke alarms, musical instruments. Also, just loud people! like friends who yell at the TV during football games.
14. get your puppy used to being in a crowd
Examples could be a softball games, watching people run a 5K, parades, fairs, a gathering of friends, a family reunion, etc.
15. think about places to viSiediti con il tuo cucciolo
Porta il tuo cucciolo in molte nuove aree. Visita luoghi come il veterinario, il toelettatore, l’asilo per cani o le strutture di imbarco, negozi per animali domestici, case di persone diverse.
16. Pianifica nuove esperienze per il tuo cucciolo
Ottieni il tuo cucciolo ad essere lasciato solo con qualcuno di nuovo, come stare con un amico o un parente per alcune ore. Abbi il tuo cucciolo a far portare via i loro giocattoli o cibo, visitare il paese o visitare la città o la periferia.
Se ti piace andare in campeggio, esercitati a creare una tenda in modo che il tuo cucciolo possa vederlo e indagare.
Altre idee di socializzazione dei cuccioli:
Incendi (fumo e fiamme), visitando ristoranti per cani, abituarsi a una porta a pecorina.
Penso di poter andare avanti all’infinito …
Vedi anche i miei post:
Errori di socializzazione dei cani.
Quando posso camminare sul mio cucciolo dopo le vaccinazioni?
Quali sono alcuni importanti esempi di socializzazione dei cuccioli che potresti aggiungere all’elenco?
Fatemi sapere nei commenti!
*Se hai appena ricevuto un nuovo cucciolo, scarica la mia guida di formazione per cuccioli gratuiti. Clicca qui
Lindsay Stordahl è il fondatore di quel Mutt. Scrive di addestramento per cani, esercizio fisico per cani e alimentazione di una dieta cruda sana.
