Perfect Puppy Socialization Checklist Congratulations on your puppy and new addition to your family! This is such an exciting time and lots of fun with your new little one along with some puppy challenges too. You will probably have or will say, You are so lucky you re cute! You can help them always be cute and grow into a friendly, confident and well-socialized adult dog. Secret #1: Most impressionable time to socialize! The most impressionable time to socialize your puppy is from their birth to 4 months of age. They are so curious about everything and they are in a prime time to learn. Therefore during this timeframe, you want to socialize your puppy to anything and everything that they will be in contact with for the rest of their lives. info@happyhound.ca Page 1
This is your chance to build a strong foundation which you will have the privilege of enjoying for many years to come. And your dog will thank you too! Based on years of training, I ve created the Perfect Puppy Socialization checklist which will come in handy for you as you watch your puppy grow into a well-socialized dog. Secret #2: How to benefit from your surroundings As you come across a variety of people, situations, objects and items use the boxes below on the Perfect Puppy Socialization Checklist by crossing off each time they occur. As you are working your way through this Checklist, look for a variety of situations, objects, and items you are exposing your puppy to rather than giving them the exact same situations. Remember they love to learn and please. Feel free to comment on how your puppy reacts to each category at the end of each individual situation. info@happyhound.ca Page 2
I challenge you to encounter each of these objects more than 10 times! When you get home from your outing, please use this Checklist to cross off the items as you encounter them. Your puppy will love that too! Secret #3: It s OK if your puppy reacts There is a possibility that your puppy reacts in a fearful or aggressive manner to the variety of people, situations, objects or items. lf your dog reacts in a fearful or aggressive manner then together help them through these situations in a positive and fun approach. Increasing these exposures will help prevent aggressive and fearful behaviour as they grow. This will make a huge difference to build a well-adjusted, confident and well-socialized puppy who is not afraid of anything. Secret #4: Ensure maximum exposure Once completing and ensuring maximum exposure with your puppy, you will also have the opportunity to have a very socialized dog. The result of a well-socialized puppy will ensure you are able to bring your dog with you where you go! info@happyhound.ca Page 3
Secret #5: Encourage positive behaviour If your dog is afraid of any items in the Perfect Puppy Socialization Checklist then just make the experience positive. For example, if they are afraid of the vacuum then show them the vacuum is just a simple object. Encourage them to investigate by placing a little treat on top of that object. Once they approach or move forward in any way then you can reward that behaviour. Secret #6: Ignore any scared behavior signals Please remember to not reward any scared behaviours with your puppy when they move away. If you tell them It s OK and then pet or cuddle them then this will encourage more fear for that situation. Secret #7: Laugh lots! Laughing helps encourage their brave behaviour with the situation or item. How you treat your puppy when they encounter these situations will help build their confidence. Make it fun and laugh lots! If you are having any difficulty with your puppy during any part of the socialization period then please send me an email update as I info@happyhound.ca Page 4
would be happy to help in any way that I can. info@happyhound.ca Secret #8: Train in a variety of places The key to a well-mannered dog is to train in a variety of locations and situations as much as you possibly can. There is a section in the Perfect Puppy Socialization Checklist which includes Other dogs of all ages & breeds off leash and this category is ongoing throughout your puppy s life as best you can. Happy training! info@happyhound.ca Page 5
Instructions: Cross off with an X each time you interact with a variety of people, situations, objects and items below for every occurrence you encounter: Human Females: 0 2 yrs old: 2 5 yrs old: 5 12 yrs old: 12 20 yrs old 20 50 yrs old Older than 50 yrs: Include comments below with a variety of accessories such as sunglasses, hats, scarves, sports equipment, umbrellas, etc. info@happyhound.ca Page 6
Human Males: 0 2 yrs old: 2 5 yrs old: 5 12 yrs old: 12 20 yrs old 20 50 yrs old Older than 50 yrs: Include comments below with a variety of accessories such as ball caps, men with beards, sunglasses, sports equipment, umbrellas, etc. info@happyhound.ca Page 7
Look for these situations while you are out: Strollers: Wagons: Skateboards: Joggers: People on paths & sidewalks: Wheelchairs & Walkers: People with canes: City buses: Bicycles: Street Traffic: Garbage cans & Garbage trucks: info@happyhound.ca Page 8
Look for these situations while you are out (con t): Meeting dogs of all ages & breeds: Include comments below with different ages and breeds (this list can be endless): Off leash plays with dogs: (ongoing) Include comments below with different ages and breeds (this doggie Friend List can be endless): info@happyhound.ca Page 9
Look for these situations around the house: Wheel barrels & Lawnmower: Vacuums: Halloween Costumes/masks: Time by themselves: Time to watch a movie while they chew on a chew toy: Thunderstorms while they chew on a bone: real storms or simulated CD Trade Game: - good treat for a bone Food Bowl: - hand in the food bowl & add treats info@happyhound.ca Page 10
Look for these situations around the house (con t): Brush/Groom: - with treats & rubs Clip Nail: - 1 nail a day for a high value treat Bath: -with dog kibble Car rides: Include any comments from the situations which your puppy will require more exposure: info@happyhound.ca Page 11
Optional: 4 wheelers/ snowmobiles/ boats: Hammering: Gun Shots: info@happyhound.ca Page 12
Bonus Points! Below are a few added Happy Hound Bonus Points should you like a bit of a challenge. Bonfires with instruments: School buses: Construction: Include comments for other situations, objects or items: info@happyhound.ca Page 13
Once completing these challenges and ensuring maximum exposure, you will have the opportunity to bring your puppy everywhere with you as a family member because they are so well-socialized. If you are having any difficulty with your puppy during the Perfect Puppy Socialization Checklist period then please send me an email or update as I would be happy to help in any way that I can to get the results you desire. Happy Training! Marcia marcia@happyhound.ca 613-253-5535 Also, if you liked the Perfect Puppy Socialization Checklist, please Like Us on Facebook for others to find out more! info@happyhound.ca Page 14
Added Bonus! The Perfect Puppy Quick Start 6 Simple Steps to Start Off on the Right Track with your new Puppy! Step #1: 30 minute walk Go for a 30 minute walk with your puppy around your house or neighborhood. Step #2: Off leash in house Walk your new puppy off leash inside the house and have them follow you from room to room. Step #3: Beside your feet Give them some fresh water, a little food then sit down on the couch with your new puppy beside your feet for a good scratch. Step #4: Choose where they will sleep Decide on where you want your puppy to sleep. My suggestion would be to allow your puppy to sleep in their bed or crate in your bedroom. Therefore, you know if they need to get up in the middle of the night for a quick pee before returning to bed. I info@happyhound.ca Page 15
would give them a good off leash walk or run around the outside of the house a few times before bed. Step #5: What to do next? During the week, just take time to bond with your new puppy and have them follow you around. Also, give them short periods of alone time in their crate or exercise pen with a good chew toy or stuffed bone. They also need to start learning how to be on their own. Step #6: Start housetraining Choose an area where you would like them to eliminate and take them to that area on leash every couple of hours. See Blog for complete details on Housetraining your Puppy. Check out our Perfect Puppy Training Package at Happy training! info@happyhound.ca Page 16