Puppy Socialization Checklist

 

The first 4 months of a puppy’s life are the most critical time for socialization. During this time dogs are more accepting of new environments and experiences. An adult dog’s behaviour is a result of his experiences as a puppy as well as genetics. It is vital for a puppy owner to be proactive and prevent problem behaviours from developing.

Handling

  • Being touched in general

  • Ears

  • Tail

  • Paws

  • Brushed and Bathed

  • Wearing clothes (raincoat, drying coat)

  • getting nails clipped

  • getting eyes and ears cleaned

  • getting teeth check

  • Drying off with towel

  • Wearing a collar and harness

  • getting paws examined

  • Being bandaged

  • Being restrained and tethered

 

People

  • Women

  • Men

  • Teenagers

  • Infants and Toddlers (crawling and walking)

  • Men with beards

  • Men with deep voices

  • Tall men

  • Big men

  • Elderly

  • Delivery men

  • People with hats and helmets

  • People with canes and walkers

  • Wheelchair

  • Joggers

  • Bicyclists

  • People limping or injured

  • People with hoods

  • People with umbrellas

 

Noises

  • Trucks

  • Vacuum cleaner

  • Fan

  • Slamming doors

  • Dropped objects

  • Sweeping

  • Mopping

  • Street sweeper

  • Motorcycles

  • Plows

  • Garbage trucks

  • Rolling things

  • Doorbell

  • Buzzer

  • Trains

  • Buses

  • Honking

  • Sirens

  • Fireworks

  • Busy traffic

  • Instruments

Animals

  • Small Dogs

  • Large Dogs

  • Fluffy Dogs

  • Male dogs

  • Female dogs

  • Older Dogs

  • Young Dogs

  • Cats and Kittens

  • Birds

  • Horses

  • Cows

  • Sheep

  • Rabbits

  • Chickens

 

Environments

  • Vet

  • Parks

  • Houses

  • Elevators

  • Car rides

  • Beach

  • Stairs

  • Stores

  • Playground

  • Crowds

  • Tile

  • Wood

  • Grass

  • Sand

  • Carpet

  • Gravel

  • Puddles

  • Mud

  • Bridges

  • Novel objects

  • Staying alone

Remember!!!

1. Exposure alone is not socialization.

2. Your dog is the one who determines if an interaction or experience was positive. You can try to make it as positive as possible but in the end it is your puppy that decides

3. Not ever should you force your dogs into an interaction (Puppy or adult alike)