Socialising your puppy
How to socialise your puppy
The more different experiences, people and places your puppy sees, the better! Puppy socialisation, as it’s called, means getting your puppy used to the great wide world, and teaching him his place in it so that he knows how to behave and doesn’t get frightened or even worse, aggressive, in certain situations.
His mum should already have taught him the basics – and after his vaccinations you can carry on the good work. Puppy classes are great for socialisation – ask at your vets for details, or check out local dog training groups. To accustom your puppy to new noises, your vet can advise you on special CDs with which puppies can be exposed to many of the sounds he may later face.
| Places to go | People and animals to meet | Things to encounter | Activities to accept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary practice | Men | Vacuum cleaners | Walking on a lead |
| Kennels/groomers | Women | Washing machines | Grooming/bathing |
| Other peoples houses | Children/babies | Tumble dryers | Medical examination |
| Pubs/parties | Elderly people | Hair dryers | |
| Schools/recreation areas | Confident/loud people | Vehicles | |
| Roadside | Shy/quiet people | Childrens toys | |
| Public transport | Delivery people (postman) | Being alone | |
| Parks/rural areas | People with glasses | ||
| Towns & cities | People with beards | ||
| Lifts & stairs | Wheelchairs/bikes/prams | ||
| Markets | Veterinary staff/uniforms | ||
| Other dogs | |||
| Cats | |||
| Domestic pets/livestock |
