How should you socialize a puppy during a pandemic? Good question. You could contact a dog-daycare (if they are open). However, many households have puppies who are not yet vaccinated and can’t yet participate in playtime with other dogs. Here’s the good news… “socialization” is much (much much much) more then learning from dog-to-dog interactions. For your pup to grow up to be a happy, confident and mentally stoic companion they need positive associations with all kinds of stimuli from new sights (umbrellas, skateboards, brushes, running kids…), new sounds (car horns, door slams, fire alarms, baby cries…) and textures (grass, gravel, stairs with rug and stairs without rugs, wet floor, dry floor…). Ideally, they have positive experiences with these stimuli before they hit 5 months and their ability to handle novel situations becomes fully established. That’s a lot more then just meeting other dogs. For a pup to be “social” with other people and dogs they need to be familiar and confident with the world around them first.
Luckily, during this quarantine, your pup has you! And you’re an awesome trainer.
“Dogs cannot take on the responsibility of “trusting” people nor can they “forgive and forget” when harmful things happen. The responsibility to protect dogs from harmful experiences and provide appropriate nurturing during all stages of development belongs in the hands of the people.”
So what can you do?
Let’s get started together:
Make a list of new situations you want your puppy to have positive associations with. Check out Tuff Pup Training’s Puppy Social Checklist or download a copy here.
Take 5 minutes with you puppy every day and do some training around that chosen stimulus (Counter Conditioning). What does 5 minutes of counter conditioning look like?
First pick something you know your dog loves. Be generous and creative with what you choose. For most dogs the answer is food or a certain kind of high value, very smell, gooey food. Consider cute-up hot dogs, cheese or chicken. Although your dog’s list of loves might also involve certain toys, tennis balls, a squeaky tug-of-war toy or game of chase.
Then, pick one of the stimuli from the list above or from your own list you made.
Find a place where you can stand 100 feet or more for the sight of your chosen stimulus. For example, you might decide to work on your puppies feeling toward a mailman or delivery person. Stand with your pup on leash, attached to a harness and stand 100 feet away while your pup sees that person.
Then, allow your pup to see the stimulus.
Say “yes” or click just as your puppy sees it and give your dog a high value treat.
Repeat 5 - 10 times and then give your pup a break.
If it went well you can move your pup two steps closer to the delivery person or the doorway and start again. If it didn’t go well step back 5 steps and try again. You want to find a distance your dog can see the trigger while still being able to function.
Here are some more ideas:
Play dress up!!!!! Wear sunglasses, silly hats, masks and practice training/play tug
Have your dog play dress up
Vacuum and broom introductions- sound and movement separately
Play sirens, construction noises from youtube on low volume while eating food/kong
Practice body handling/grooming intros
Go on car rides
Play crate games
Want even more info on counter conditioning? Check out this beautifully detailed blog page by Lily Chin.
Remove your pup if they are scared. Seriously, stop what you are doing and let your pup leave the situation they are afraid of.
Puppies should not be expected to like unfamiliar people, places or things. You’ll have plenty of chances to convince them to like something again in the future when they are not already over their threshold for it. If puppy acts fearful, removing the pup is more prudent than forcing the pup to cope with fear. Tuff Pup Training strongly recommends that at all times puppies be given the opportunity to choose whether to approach or reenter the space of a scary stimuli.
What do puppies look like when they’re scared? You shouldn’t wait until they’re in a panic and frantically spinning or yelping. Instead, be proactive and watch for these signs:
Ears pulled back or down.
Tail tucked and head low.
Wide eyes.
Pacing or trying to escape.
Heavy dry panting.
Frozen and stiff body.
For more on what a dog looks scared check out these easy to follow info-graphics by Lili Chin at doggiedrawings.net.
Looking for even more ideas on socialization during Covid-19 quarantine? Check out this awesome youtube video by Emily Larlham of Kiko Pup Youtube channel.
