200 Absolutely Essential Puppy Socialization Experiences
A young puppy has so much potential and starting off from scratch means you have the opportunity to make impressions on her that will last for the rest of her life. Your dog's early experiences will shape her personality, how she sees the world around her and how she deals with stress. A well thought out socialization plan can help you raise a dog that you can take anywhere with anyone with a happy wag of her tail. Poor socialization can leave you with a fearful, reactive dog that can't cope with being outside of her home environment. Give your puppy the best possible start by making sure she has early, safe and POSITIVE experiences with a variety of people, places, surfaces, sounds and temperatures.
Never force your pup to approach anyone or anything, let her explore on her terms, quietly praising and encouraging her when she boldly approaches by herself. When your puppy seems uncertain take her away from the thing that is causing her stress until you have a happy puppy again. Then encourage her to approach at her own rate again, such as having a 'scary' person kneel down to the side and not look at the puppy while holding out a treat for her. Maybe if she's uncertain about water get in the water yourself and play with a toy, making it seem like great fun, when she joins you, even a little, play with her and tell her how brave she is!
Keep in mind you're not trying to overwhelm your puppy with new experiences - quantity is not better than quality! Make sure your puppy is confident, well rested and having a good time whenever you introduce her to something new. Don't overdo it either! Puppies get tired very quickly, and most importantly give your dog lots of downtime after a new experience to recuperate and reflect on what she's been exposed to in a safe, quiet place.
Never force your pup to approach anyone or anything, let her explore on her terms, quietly praising and encouraging her when she boldly approaches by herself. When your puppy seems uncertain take her away from the thing that is causing her stress until you have a happy puppy again. Then encourage her to approach at her own rate again, such as having a 'scary' person kneel down to the side and not look at the puppy while holding out a treat for her. Maybe if she's uncertain about water get in the water yourself and play with a toy, making it seem like great fun, when she joins you, even a little, play with her and tell her how brave she is!
Keep in mind you're not trying to overwhelm your puppy with new experiences - quantity is not better than quality! Make sure your puppy is confident, well rested and having a good time whenever you introduce her to something new. Don't overdo it either! Puppies get tired very quickly, and most importantly give your dog lots of downtime after a new experience to recuperate and reflect on what she's been exposed to in a safe, quiet place.
PeopleChildren under 5
Children 5-10 Children 10-15 Children 15-20 Tall Large Short Coats (bulky or long) Masks All ethnicities Old Mentally Handicapped Hats Umbrellas Packages Running Bicycling Skateboarding Screaming Wrestling Throwing Things Shouting Singing Crowds Sidewalks Wheelchairs Walkers Shopping Carts Baby strollers |
SituationsRestraint
Grabbing Holding Tail Holding/Inspecting Ears Hugging Holding Paws and Nails Looming Over Patting Head Grabbing Collar Nail Trims Brushing Turning on Side Looking at Teeth Temperature Taking Picture Taking Flash Picking Up Stretching Massaging On Lap On Back Dark Windy Raining Bathtubs In Car In Truck Restrained in Car Elevators Automatic Doors Riding in Shopping Carts/Wheelbarrows On Tables/High Surfaces Tippy Boards |
PlacesAgility/Obedience/
Flyball Trial Hardware Store Pet Store Grocery Store Downtown College Playground School Retirement Center Grooming Facility Dog Park Doggie Daycare Puppy Kindergarten Hiking Field Beach Shopping Centers Big City Neighbors' Houses Friends' Houses Hotel Flea Market Parking lots |
SurfacesGrass
Concrete Bark Metal Grate Wood Uneven Plastic Hard Plastic sheet Loud Soft Sand Wet Slippery Warm Cold Ladder Shallow water Deep water Inclines Slides Tippy Board Stairs Tile Mud |
SoundsLoud Constant
Loud Variable Mechanical Loud Natural Loud Hairdryers Coffee grinders Dremel tool Vacuums Showers Traffic Honking Waterfall Shopping Carts Hammering Construction Vehicles Screaming/Laughing Children Barking Dogs Cheering/Applauding People Loud Music Beeping Babies Dropping Pans Lawn Mowers Garage Door |
AnimalsBig Dogs
Small Dogs Hairy Dogs White Dogs Black Dogs Cropped/Docked Dogs Wrestling Dogs Chasing Dogs Cranky Dogs Friendly Dogs Playful Dogs Serious Dogs Friendly Cats Unfriendly Cats Birds Rodents Ferrets Rats Lizards Rabbits Horses Livestock |
ToysTennis Balls
Rubber Balls Boomer Ball Moving Toys Fleece Tug Moo Tug Fleece Toys Stuffed Toys Food Stuffed Toys Kongs Marrow Bones Treat Cube Treat Ball Nylabones Frisbee - hard Frisbee - soft Rope Toys Fishing Pole Toys Riot Stick Cardboard Box 2 Liter Bottles Flashing Ball Leash Squeak Toy Giggle Toy Mouse Squeak Toy |
Eaten FromMetal Bowl
Plastic Bowl Kong Marrow Bone Treat Cube/Ball Paper Plate Plate Glass Grass Dirt Concrete Wood |
Puppy Pen EnrichmentMirrors
Balloons Pinwheels Adventure Box Hanging/Rattling/Tugging Items Noise Bottles Rattles Slide Ramps Beach Ball Hula Hoop Helium Balloons Metal Article Cardboard Boxes Swing Tippy Board Mouse Squeak Toy Tug Toys Soft Toys Grate Floor Baby pool Ball Pool Crates Tarp Rides/Games Paper Bags Bobbing Toys |
Breeder SocializationBath
Blower Dryer Hose Stairs Car Rides Collar Leash Brushing Door Slamming Cheering/Applauding 100 People (Old, young, big, small, etc) Hats, coats, canes, walker, wheelchair, sunglasses, masks, wigs, odd gaits Umbrella Wheelbarrow Rides Trash Cans Plastic Bag Fluffing Shaken blankets Tarp in the wind Tractor Rides Car Rides Cars, Trucks, Buses, Semis Construction Equipment Restrained Recalls TV/Movies/Music Day and Night Fans with Streamers Garage Door Opening Honking Dremel Gunshot Singing Rattle Cans Brooms Flags in the Wind Toweled Off Skateboards Bicycles Beeping Musical Instruments Car Wash Agility Barking Dogs Scent Introduction Tables/Heights Toenail Trims Clickers Restraint All Over Exams Livestock/Horses Knocking Doorbells Crowds Stroller Lawn mower Eaten from metal, plastic, paper, glass, kong, bones, treat balls, dirt,grass, concrete, wood Tunnels |
Breeder TrainingRelax for Restraint
All Over Examination Toenail Trims Intro to Leash Quiet in Pen Crate Training Beginning Housetraining Sit Before Petting Come When Called Lie Down Bite Inhibition |
