Puppy Socialisation

Socialisation is best accepted by puppies before they are 16 weeks old, as this is when they are likely to have the lowest level of fearand highest acceptance of new things.

Do
• Take things at your puppies pace, so as not to overwhelm them.
• Let your puppy make the choice to interact with new things / people, rather than enforcing it.
• Introduce one new thing at a time to give your puppy time to absorb the experience.
• Make sure that any new interactions with new things / people are kept positive.
• Encourage and praise your puppy for settling around people, dogs and busy environments.

Don’t
• Flood your puppy with too much at once.
• Let people / dogs come into your puppies space, let them go to people / dogs.
• Let your puppy greet every person / dog they see, as this can cause problems later on.

Socialisation Checklist
• Traffic (cars, lorries, buses, emergency vehicles, bin lorries)
• Fireworks (use sound recordings paired with play or food)
• Music at different volumes
• People of all different ages
• People wearing different equipment or uniforms
• Wheelchairs, scooters, and buggies
• Being examined (eyes, ears, paws, teeth)
• Nails being trimmed
• Being brushed
• Collar and harness on and off
• Bikes, skateboards, scooters
• Hoover, washing machine, hair dryer
• Walking on different surfaces
• Stairs (not too many at once)
• Vet visits
• Groomers
• Pubs, restaurants, cafés
• Bus, train, taxi, car
• Other people's houses
• Anywhere you are likely to take your puppy