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7 weeks! Ideas for socialization?
I’m doing my best to prepare Bliss’ puppies for real life…
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Introducing a variety of people: Puppies meet individuals of different ages, appearances, and energy levels in controlled, positive interactions.
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Providing novel experiences: Puppies encounter safe challenges like obstacles, puzzles, toys, and careful outings to expand their comfort zone.
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Gradual exposure to new sounds: Sounds like vacuums, car rides, or fireworks during meals & play with an eye on body language, to prevent overwhelm.
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Frequent, gentle handling: Regular touch builds trust and helps puppies become comfortable with human interaction.
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Pairing care routines with rewards: Activities like nail trimming & brushing are paired with treats to create positive associations.
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Including social interactions with friendly adult dogs: Gentle, communicative adult dogs teach important social skills through supervised play.
And more…. the reality is, nothing prepares them for EVERYTHING they’ll ever see, but the goal is resilience to novelty…
What gaps have you noticed in socialization for dogs you work with? Do you have a checklist you like for new puppy owners?
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22 Replies
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Seven weeks, already?!!!
Are you ready to start all over again? Bliss and Tripp need a romantic getaway after the last 7 weeks! ????
I think one common theme I have seen in socialization gaps is; spring/summer puppies never being exposed to winter clothes attire. I suppose this work the opposite way, too but the dogs I have seen were seemingly fearful of the bulk, added layers, hats, hidden faces etc. Along with hidden faces, Halloween costumes were missed, too!
One piece of advice that I offer for a “checklist” is broad….. think back at all you have done, all the places you have gone and any situations that caught you off guard in the last 3 years and, try to gently expose your puppy to. There are likely situations your new puppy will be exposed to at one time or another. Chances are, you had people over, had on winter/summer clothing, shaved, dried your hair, cleaned the house, car rides, smoke alarm went off, dropped water on the floor and scared yourself etc.
It gets people thinking!
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That is fantastic advice, @jenz !
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Thank you!
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Such amazing advice here! I love everything people have said so far! One thing sometimes people can forget is the dark. So outside when it gets dark. I feel like it’s normal for everyone to snuggle up and go to bed. Along with dark noises can seem different too. Catherine- you are doing such a a maxing job already! Lucky pups and lucky people to have such a head start!
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Great thought with the dark! Dogs, like humans can have a different perception and emotional responses in the dark.
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You are so right, @pawsup – we are out in the dark at night and early mornings, complete with flashlight making weird shadows, and they’re pretty impervious to it now. I think they get a lot of courage being together too… it will be a different story when they are on their own, with their new families!
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Great ideas! This morning I found myself ringing the front doorbell which is COMPLETELY different than an audio track, the puppies told me. (A few ran and hid, the first time!) I rang it and tossed treats for probably 20 reps. By the end they were just “meh”. I think one “missing piece” to the socialization puzzle is this, exactly… what to do when the puppy gets spooked by something.
DROP EVERYTHING ELSE AND FOCUS ON FIXING IT IN THAT MOMENT!
If it is at all possible, I immediately create the same scenario and we work through it until the puppy has confidence. It is not always possible… sometimes the scary thing is overwhelming or has moved on. If that’s the case, I tone it down or go looking for the next most similar thing. I never, ever just “leave it” and hope for the best.
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Yes, the unpredictable makes it challenging for sure. I think that is where we need to be prepared at all times to do our best to turn negatives into positives; carry and scatter those treats!
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Exactly. Ah – I think I’m going to include a treat pouch in my puppy go-home goodie bag!
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@catherine ????
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@catherine , I love your comment about dropping everything and addressing the issue that just popped up. That very thing has happened in two different puppy lessons I had this past week, and I literally stopped whatever I was doing or saying to help the puppy process whatever stimulus set them off, explaining as I was doing it so the pet parent could appreciate the importance of the moment.
Do you find Aussies to be on the sound-sensitive side? I often hear that mentioned about herding breeds.
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Exactly, @virginiad – dropping everything to show the puppy in that very moment that they can relax, leaving them with a feeling of “oh, I’m okay” is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing. I think pet owners often miss that.
Yep Aussies are somewhat sound sensitive (not as sensitive as English Shepherds or Shelties, in my experience) – I find it is genetic; Bliss has been pretty solid, but still, I am creating new sounds for habituation all the time for these puppies. If they can sleep through air-raid sirens and children playground noises, I’ve done my job. ????
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Gorgeous.
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Truly a beautiful array of different stimuli and people! How about just watching someone on a skateboard? A delivery man from UPS or Amazon? Those crazy electric bikes or a loud muscle car revving its engine?
Totally agree about the different attire for the seasons. I LOVE the umbrella work you did. I have had a few adult dogs freak out when I open mine for walks in the rain.
Also, just viewing different animals like bunnies, squirrels, cats, birds…I guess taking them to a pet store to view the different animals there? Not sure if they’d even be interested, but maybe taking them in the stroller to a farm where horses and cows and llamas are…?
You are giving them the BEST start!!! What amazing little pups they are.
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@catherine Can you show us a video clip of their cutenesses soon? ????
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Oh, and flags blowing, a random plastic bag flapping in the wind and balloons!
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Check, check, check! Great ideas, @bernerlabreclectus
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Here you go, Paula!
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THANK YOU!!! I love to binge watch your adorable Aussie family! Bliss & Magic are amazing! Oh my, I did not mean to be a bossy boss, btw. I’m just truly thinking of all the things that dog clients dogs have been spooked by when I have walked them over the years.????
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No you aren’t at all “bossy boss!” I was just excited to see the bag flying across the yard today so grabbed the video for you. haha! I need to find skateboards & bikes… although they did see kids on bikes at the park last week (from their stroller!) but skateboards are a whole ‘nuther story.
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Ha! I love it. Thank you for not thinking I’m bossy. It’s nice to find props in your own yard. The girls were so good and I’m glad the puppies didn’t get hold of that bag…I love that you said, “Don’t try this at home”…????. Thanks again for the clip! It’s so fun to watch!
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Yeah, a plastic bag isn’t the best tug toy! haha – oops! Unintentional fallout.
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