How to socialise your puppy while social distancing
Do you have a new puppy? Socialising your puppy can be difficult at the moment with puppy schools cancelled and social distancing restrictions. However, the good news is that there are plenty of ways you can socialise your puppy in and around the home.
Why is it important to socialise your puppy?
Puppies have a short window for optimal socialisation. Between approximately 3-17 weeks of age puppies go through a critical socialisation period. The experiences that your puppy has during this time can influence and shape their behaviour well into the future.
Some great advice from our trainer Michelle Cogley from Animal Escapades on socialising your puppy during COVID-19.
During this period it is important expose your puppy safely to a range of sights, sounds, smells and experiences. The goal is to make these experiences safe and positive to give your puppy confidence and comfort in the world around them. This can easily be done with a little creativity and time from home.
Remember: It is important not to flood your new puppy with lots of new experiences, as this could be detrimental to their development. Rather, focus on developing their self-confidence by making each exposure short and positive with plenty of toys and treats nearby. Also watch and support your puppy through any signs of distress. Never force them to do anything.
Different sounds
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are all spending more time at home. There are plenty of everyday noises around the home that your puppy can experience. Make each noise exposure a positive experience by acting happy around the sound and associating the sound with yummy treats, toys or praise.
Vacuum cleaner
Hair dryer
Fans
Microwave
Dishwasher
Blender
Plates and cutlery
Power tools
Lawn mower
TV and radio
Garbage truck
Top tip: there are plenty of video’s online and apps you can download that play a variety of different sounds to your puppy such as traffic, trucks, thunder, baby crying etc. Introduce these sounds quietly, then gradually build them up so your puppy can happily continue on playing, sleeping and eating while ignoring them.
Different surfaces
It is important to expose your puppy to a variety of unusual surfaces so they get used to the feeling of different textures under their feet. Here are some examples you may be able to find around the home:
Tiles, floor boards and concrete
Carpet and rugs
Stairs
Blankets, bedding and pillows
Cardboard
Rocks, mulch and grass
Sand and mud
Top tip: set up an obstacle course for your puppy in your backyard or lounge room using items such as chairs, cushions, blankets, boxes, ladders etc. Create tunnels to run through and interesting items to walk over. Have fun and reward your puppy along the way.
Accessories and clothing
Your puppy should learn how to interact with a variety of different people, which is difficult at the moment. Certainly socialise your puppy with other healthy members of your household or carers coming into your home. You can also have some fun at home dressing up in a range of different outfits and accessories to help your puppy become confident no matter what someone looks like. Here are some examples.
Hats
Sunglasses
Raincoat or poncho
Wigs
Overalls or protective gear
Helmet
Boots
Walking stick
Costumes
Top tip: let your puppy look out the window or driveway of your home as other people go by or as parcels are being delivered. Your puppy needs to see you reacting happily to these people.
Different handling and touch
Getting your puppy confident in being handled and touched a range of ways is important when they are young. Be gentle and try to spend a few minutes each day getting them used to your care.
Touching their paws, legs and tummy
Inspecting their ears
Inspecting their teeth
Touching their tail
Wearing a collar
Using a harness and lead
Wearing a dog coat
Giving them a bath and using a towel
Brushing
Nail-trimming
Different smells and socialisation
It’s a bonus if you have other pets in the household that you can socialise your puppy with. If you have a backyard, spend time in the garden with your puppy where they will be able to smell any humans, dogs or animals on the other side of the fence. Reward your puppy with games or treats for learning to happily ignore them.
You can also take your puppy for a quick walk, following social distancing guidelines if they are fully vaccinated or carry them to the end of the street so they can see other people and dogs walk past. Otherwise open up the windows and let your puppy smell a range of different scents. This can include:
Dogs and other puppies
Cats and other pets
Wild animals (farm, wildlife)
Other people
General smells inside and outside
Different items
There are lots of different items around your home that you can introduce your puppy to. Here are just a few ideas.
Garbage bin
Umbrella
Suitcase and luggage
Hose
Wheelbarrow
Brooms and mops
Buckets
Bicycle
Skate board
Training Tips
If you have the time, the early months of your puppy’s life are the perfect time to teach some basic obedience skills. Teaching these skills not only strengthens the bond between you and your puppy but can also help them settle in as a well-mannered, happy member of your family. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Teach your puppy their name
Discourage biting and chewing
Establish a toilet routine
Teach them basic commands such as sit, stay and come
Teach them loose leash walking (inside and outside the home)
Hide treats around the home for your puppy to find
Teach them how to use a crate
Teach your puppy to spend some time alone each day (this is particularly important if you don’t usually spend this much time at home)
Teach them how to be comfortable in the car (it can help to turn the engine on if you are just parked in the driveway)
Drop items suddenly near your puppy such as clothing, wallet, keys etc. to help them experience sudden noises
Top tip: there are plenty of YouTube videos to help with training your puppy. Remember to keep training sessions brief and use positive reinforcement such as small treats, praise or a pat.
There are plenty of ways to socialise your puppy from home. Focus on having fun and building a relationship with your puppy, their trust in you and their confidence in meeting things that are new and different in the world around them.
Enlisting the help of a professional trainer can still be done during social distancing. Please contact our trainer Michelle Cogley from Animal Escapades for alternatives that she has available throughout this period, including on-line learning options.