Socialising Your Puppy During the Pandemic

Around your home and yard there are dozens of things you can use to socialise your puppy. You don’t need to wait for group puppy classes to start to set your puppy up for success!

What is socialisation?

Socialisation is seeing, hearing and experiencing many different things. This includes not only other dogs and people but everyday items such as vacuum cleaners, bicycles, drills, balls, umbrellas and stairs. It is never too early for your puppy to start learning.

There is a critical period of time when puppies learn all they need to know about the world around them. This occurs before your puppy reaches 20 weeks of age. During this time your puppy learns lifelong lessons on how to interact and be confident around different people, places, sounds, sights and smells. It is important to introduce your puppy to new things slowly without causing anxiety. Signs of anxiety can include backing away from the object, tail down or whining. Don’t force your puppy to go to the object, let her explore on her own terms. If your puppy is anxious don’t pick her up, pat her and tell her “it’s ok”, believe it or not this tells your puppy she needs to be afraid.

When you are introducing your puppy to an object with wheels. Start with the object at least several metres away from your puppy. Move the object slowly away from the puppy. If your puppy backs away from the object, stop and begin the exercise again with greater distance between the puppy and the object. Keep any socialisation exercises short (only a few minutes at a time) as not to overwhelm your puppy with too many new things at once.

Prepare your puppy for trips to the groomer and vet. Handle your puppy's feet regularly, check their ears, eyes and mouths.

For guidance on puppy socialisation book an in home consult today 0448 395 797.

Zoom consults are also available.