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    • 200 Absolutely Essential Puppy Socialization Experiences
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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.

People

Children 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

Situations

Restraint
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

Places

Agility/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

Surfaces

Grass
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

Sounds

Loud 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

Animals

Big 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

Toys

Tennis 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 From

Metal Bowl
Plastic Bowl
Kong
Marrow Bone
Treat Cube/Ball
Paper Plate
Plate
Glass
Grass
Dirt
Concrete
Wood

Puppy Pen Enrichment

Mirrors
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 Socialization

Bath
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 Training

Relax 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
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