Here are some people, places, things and sounds that your dog should be exposed to, as early as possible! The first four months* of your new puppy’s life are crucial for socialization and can keep them happy and stop them from suffering from anxiety later on!
First thing’s first! The sounds in your house! When you first bring your new puppy home, whether they were rescued, or acquired through a breeder, or other means, the sounds they’re used to are not going to be the same as those in and around their new home. Closing doors and cabinets, the television or radio, vacuums, brooms and other cleaning sounds, the list goes on. The more regularly they hear these sounds, the more accustomed they will become.
While your dog is still in its early stages, the next thing you’re going to wan to do is to introduce them to as many different people as possible, in a safe environment. Men, women, children, delivery people, the elderly and infants all offer different types of interactions, from the perspective of your new pup! People with hats, beards, walkers/canes, wheelchairs, etc, can confuse a young puppy, so exposing them to as many different people early on can really help them understand the different ways people look and move through the world.
Once they’re able to get outside and start checking out their surroundings, try your best to expose them to all of the usual traffic; people on the street, cars driving by, other dogs out for walks. Don’t force them into any interaction, just let them sniff around and wander. Grass, cement, dirt, etc, all smell and feel differently, and different weather can startle them as well. Again, be patient, and let them process what’s happening.
The final type of exposure you’ll want to make sure your new pup experiences early on are different types of contact. Starting with general contact, through petting, make sure your puppy becomes comfortable with being brushed, pet on its ears, tail, and paws, and having its teeth checked. This will allow for checking these areas for health issues and general hygiene, at home. Trimming nails, cleaning ears and eyes, as well as bathing are tasks you’re going to want to do regularly without stressing yourself or your dog out.
Making sure your pup can wear a collar and/or harness and leash is also a very important step in their process to become comfortable with contact, since you can’t take them outside on walks if they don’t like wearing these items! This point might seem silly, but it’s actually the most crucial, because your pup can’t meet people or other dogs, or be exposed to the world around them if they fight you every time you try to put their collar and leash on!
Now that you have an understanding of how to not only expose your pup to their new life in your home, but also to their entire future with their surroundings, go out there and have a ball!
*Please do keep in mind that all dogs should be kept away from most interactions listed here until around 8 weeks, or until they receive all of their vaccinations, so they can stay as healthy as possible!
A. Walker in Long Beach 