The first few months with a new puppy are exciting, but they also pose some challenges.
While you should take the time to enjoy your new dog’s puppy phase, it’s also important to get it right, especially if you want to raise a fun and friendly pooch.
If you have questions about puppy socialization, we’re here to help!
In this practical guide, we’ll be sharing 7 useful tips trusted by professional trainers and veterinarians everywhere!
1. Get Started Within the First 30 Days
Many people think they need to wait for their puppy to be a little older to learn basic social skills, but you can start socializing a puppy within the first 30 days of bringing it home!
As soon as your new puppy has all of its necessary vaccinations, you can enroll your puppy in socialization classes.
These young puppy socialization classes will teach your pooch basic training skills and help them learn healthy behaviors.
You’ll be amazed at how much a 10-week-old puppy can learn!
Forming good habits and learning how to interact with people and other dogs from a young age can give them a head start in life.
Once the dog is old enough for more advanced classes, a good foundation of social skills will already be in place.
Even before your pup is fully vaccinated, you can begin teaching your dog how to interact with new people at home.
For more on training, read our guide to When to Start Training a Puppy!
2. Be Patient and Let Your Pup Learn at Its Own Pace
Remember that young puppies are easily confused, which is why it’s important to always be patient when teaching them new things.
Never allow yourself to get frustrated or angry with your young pup, especially when you’re teaching them new skills.
Dogs don’t respond well to punishment or negativity.
They’ll always learn better and remain enthusiastic if you use positive reinforcement and maintain a gentle tone.
If your dog doesn’t respond well to your socialization efforts, take a break.
Always remember to end on a high note, even if the dog didn’t behave the way you wanted. Watch your puppy for cues that they’re scared or overly uncomfortable.
Don’t let your little puppy become overwhelmed, as this can do more harm than good.
The last thing you want is for your dog to begin dreading time around other people and dogs.
Be patient and let your puppy learn at a pace that they’re comfortable with!
Read More: Can You Find Puppies at Shelters? You may be able to adopt a puppy from your local shelter. Learn more about adopting puppies!
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Professional Help
If you’re a new dog owner, training your puppy alone can be scary.
That’s where professional trainers can be a massive help.
If your puppy is fearful or behaving aggressively, early intervention from a trained professional can make all the difference.
When done correctly, socialization classes can fix problems before they have the opportunity to become stubborn habits.
The cost of professional socialization classes will be more than justified after your young pooch learns how to behave appropriately around other dogs and people!
If the price of classes is a concern and you’re on a tight budget, discounted group classes are often held at local pet stores.
In these situations, the cost of socialization and obedience lessons spread across an entire class, so they’ll be much more budget-friendly than one-on-one classes with a professional trainer.
You can also consider training books if a professional trainer is out of the question.
Check out our guide to the 8 Best Dog Training Books for more info.
4. Attend Puppy Play Dates
Once your pup has received all of its vaccinations, you can schedule a brief playdate with other puppies.
These playdates are beneficial for all of the puppies in attendance, as they provide a casual and safe environment where the dogs can learn how to behave around others.
Check your local pet supply store for postings. You can also find Facebook groups to put you in touch with other new puppy parents.
If you don’t know anyone else with a puppy, you can begin introducing your pup to a friendly adult dog.
Just make sure the dogs are on their leashes, and you trust the dog and the dog’s owner, as puppies are very fragile, and a bite or nip from an adult dog can be extremely traumatic.
5. Treats Are Your Friend
Dogs learn better with positive reinforcement than anything else.
Small, healthy treats for positive interactions can make all the difference.
If your dog is interacting with another dog without jumping up, barking, or nipping, you can offer your little pup a tasty treat.
Make sure you offer vocal praise when you do so, as this will help the dog connect their behavior to the treat.
Don’t punish or yell at your dog when they do something wrong, simply take them aside and don’t offer a treat.
6. Mix Things Up
Expose your dog to a wide variety of people and dogs, rather than always practicing socialization skills around the same individuals.
You don’t want your dog to be used to certain people or dogs. Instead, you want to help your dog know how to behave around all kinds of people and animals.
Always practice caution, but it’s a good idea to teach your dog how to behave around adults and children.
Get them used to other puppies, as well as adult dogs. If you own a cat, slowly introduce your puppy to your cat under your strict supervision.
Switching up the environment where your dog meets other people and dogs will also help.
Practice socialization techniques indoors and outdoors.
After the puppy’s vaccination record is up to date, you can even try visiting a park.
Again, ensure you trust the dogs you introduce your new pup to.
7. Keep Things Interesting and Exciting with Socialization Games
There’s no reason why socialization training needs to be something boring for you and your puppy.
There are plenty of exciting socialization games that you can play that will be beneficial for your little pooch.
Allow other people to play games with your puppy’s favorite toys and allow them to touch the puppy in different places.
When the dog allows a new person to touch a new body part, such as the ears, paws, tail, or snout, you can let the new person give the puppy a treat and say a positive affirmation.
Whatever games you enjoy playing with your puppy can also be played with other people.
Remember, most people will leap at the opportunity to come over and play with a new puppy, so why not invite a few friends over for dinner and to help you socialize your new pup?
If your friends or family members have puppies of their own, they can bring them over for group game sessions.
After enrolling your puppy in professional socialization classes, you’ll quickly learn how playful and fun puppy socialization and obedience classes are.
Just like kindergarten classes for kids, socialization classes should revolve around fun games that teach the dog important life skills and how to behave around others!
Final Words
Teaching your puppy basic obedience skills doesn’t have to be a complicated process.
By following the puppy socialization tips listed above, you’ll be able to set your dog up for a lifetime of good behavior and healthy social skills!
