Puppyhood is a crucial period for helping your new friend gain confidence and understanding in social scenarios. Many new pet parents believe that socializing their pup means getting them out and about with other dogs - interacting and playing with others to learn how to get along. While this is a huge part of the socialization process, there are many elements of socializing that are not considered and may therefore never be addressed along the way.

Luckily we have Gillian Ridgeway, our resident Nutram OTC dog trainer to give us some tips and tricks. Here are some of her insights on how even the youngest pups learn about the world around them...

Get them started right away

Your puppy’s vaccination schedule is important to consider before introducing them to other dogs. You’ll need to get the go ahead from their veterinarian before venturing too far on a walk. However, there are other ways to accomplish some of the socialization early on. Carrying your pup to noisier areas and allowing strangers to pet your pup lets them experience the outside world from your arms. This is also the ideal time to expose them to various situations and common noises in the home such as vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, and tile floors.

Make a list of ‘things’

Once you get an all clear from the veterinarian, your pup can go exploring! Make a list of things you can expose them to in the world. This aspect involves noise socialization, activity socialization, and general socialization to the bustle of the real world.

This can include meeting children, men with beards, people with walkers or wheelchairs, elevator rides, hiking on a beach, or visiting a garden centre. Make sure that some of your time together is spent in noisier areas of your community. Playing, training, and bringing your pup to these various environments will help them to realize that these settings are okay to feel comfortable in.

Switch up your routine

Socialization for many pups occurs in two primary areas: parks or on sidewalks. At dog parks people typically gather to chat, play with their dogs, and have a few laughs while watching their antics. This behaviour is very similar on sidewalks strolls and involves stop-and-go interactions around the same neighbourhood block. While either of these scenarios may provide your pup with adequate exercise, it doesn’t give them the variety of social exposure needed to be fully socialized. Walking the same route to the same park at the same time and visiting the same dogs each day is not ideal.

Mix things up! Allow your dog to gain new experiences a few times a week to help your pup continue to learn new socialization, trust, and coping skills.

Consider their personality

Each dog is blessed with their own temperament and mannerisms. Some dogs are boisterous, gregarious, and friendly while others are naturally shy and apprehensive. With this in mind, it’s best to start off slowly with all puppies. Start by setting up puppy play dates and invite other puppy parents to your home for a romp together in the yard. Socializing your pup in the comfort of their own backyard will help ease the process.

Set limits

Some dogs play rough with one another, often coupled with barking. If you see a situation that makes you uncomfortable, simply call your pup back to you. If you notice your pup chasing and pestering some of their friends, they also need to be called over for a little time out. Calling your pup over for a cool down period will help them regroup and understand that if their play gets excessive, they will be removed. A ‘cool down’ period is not only good for your dog’s sake, but also for the sake of the other puppies around them. If you’re not sure what normal play looks like or when and where to step in, a puppy class is also a great idea. A professional dog trainer will tell you what to anticipate and help your pup learn the boundaries of play and day-to-day socialization.

Socialization needs to be worked on from puppyhood right on through to adulthood. Considering these tips will help your dog feel confident and understanding of the world around them. Giving your dog the gift of confidence is one of the greatest gifts of all! You will feel great if you know that your dog is comfortable wherever they goes. You’ll be able to take them in the car, stay at hotels, walk past busy traffic without a second thought! Provide this opportunity for your pup and you will know you have done your very best.