Structured socialization is critical for raising a happy, stable, and secure dog.
✅ RECOMMENDED
Think of socialization as “exposure“. Socialization does not mean playing with other dogs! Socialization is about introducing your dog to multiple real-life situations, in a safe and structured way. Letting them observe and get desensitized will help them grow up to be a secure and confident adult dog.
✅ Bring treats
Always bring dog treats! Use them to reward your dog when they are calm. They also help gauge your dog’s stress. If your dog will not eat any treats, it’s time to go home.
✅ Don’t reward anxiety
It is counter-intuitive, but if your puppy seems stressed or anxious, do not pet them to comfort them! This actually rewards anxiety. Instead, calmly give a command that gives them direction (e.g. sit). If they are still too stressed, move away and start with something less stressful.
✅ Visit a pet-friendly store
Put your puppy in a shopping cart and let them observe what’s going on in stores that allow dog visitors:
- Home improvement stores (e.g. Home Depot)
- Pet stores (e.g. Petco)
- Some department stores (e.g. Nordstrom)
✅ Visit a new park
Search for parks within your area and take your dog to a different one every day. Some parks are large enough you can also start from different places in the park.
✅ Go on a car ride
Drive your dog around different areas (e.g. residential neighborhood, freeway). Puppies can sometimes get car sick, so keep rides short and positive.
✅ Visit a playground
Take your puppy to a playground with kids. Have your dog lay down and observe from a safe distance, bringing them closer over time.
✅ Visit a fire station
Call your local fire station! They are sometimes more than happy to welcome dogs to socialize around the trucks and sounds.
⚠️ DO WITH CAUTION
⚠️ Playing with other dogs
Playing with other dogs should be done with caution. A bad interaction can negatively affect your dog’s behavior long-term. It is completely fine to avoid playing with other dogs altogether until your puppy is older.
However, if you do want them to play, follow these guidelines:
- Know the other dog: Only interact with dogs you know have a stable temperament.
- Keep it small: Prefer one-on-one interactions over groups.
- Stay calm: Adult dogs correct puppies to teach them boundaries. Do not have a loud reaction or reprimand the adult dog.
❌ NEVER DO
❌ Dog parks
Dog parks are the absolute worst way to socialize your dog:
- They are overwhelming, likely leading to too much stress
- They are unsanitary, risking especially young puppies getting sick
- They have unknown dogs, risking a bad interaction with long-term effects
- They teach your dog that other dogs are for playing, leading to a leash reactive dog in the future
The only exception is private, invitation-only dog parks. These are not very common, but if there is one in your area, it can be similar to the suggestion above for smaller structured interactions.