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Puppy Socialization Checklist: How to Introduce Your New Puppy to Other Dogs

Puppy Socialization Checklist: Introductions to Other Dogs

Updated on January 24, 2023
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Reviewed by Darris Cooper
CPDT-KA, FFCP

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most heartwarming and exciting things you can do, but with all that excitement comes newfound responsibility. Puppies rely on you completely for all of their needs, and one of the things they will need is to be properly socialized. Proper puppy socialization includes early introduction to different types of people, environments, stimuli, sounds, smells, and other dogs and animals so they become used to different situations and embrace, instead of fear, them. Puppies who are properly socialized early in life are more easily able to be around other people and other animals without causing disruption or anxiety.

Your puppy’s socialization period is important as young puppies are impressionable and therefore there is a right way to go about training them during this period.

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You’ll want your puppy to have had their first set of vaccinations before introducing them to unknown adult dogs, but there’s no need to wait until they are fully vaccinated for some training to begin, since structured and supervised puppy playtimes are a great way to start the process. The most important thing is to ensure that your puppy is always in a safe and clean environment and doesn’t become too overwhelmed. They are still developing and growing, and any encounters in the name of socialization training should be kept brief, fun and full of rewards.

By following the right steps, you can make sure you’re on the right track when it comes to properly socializing your puppy.

4 tips on how to socialize your puppy

Before you can expect your puppy to react positively to new situations, you’ll want to make sure that you and your puppy are prepared. There are some key factors to keep in mind when socializing your dog and training them to react properly to different scenarios as well as some things to be on the lookout for to ensure that they are safe.

1. Start early.

Just like all behaviors, learning how to encounter new situations earlier will make it an easier task. By beginning to socialize your puppy at a young age, you can help minimize potential behavioral problems that could develop later on in life.

Puppy on blue background

2. Keep it positive.

Puppies learn best when you keep their socialization training positive and reward-based. Puppies are eager to repeat behavior that is reinforced with their favorite treats and/or an enthusiastic reply from you. Pet families should keep patience in mind when training, and remember to always reinforce polite, appropriate behaviors from their puppies.

3. Keep it minimal.

In addition to keeping initial training sessions short, you’ll want to consider other ways that training can become overwhelming to young puppies. This includes how many new situations and new dogs you introduce them to at a time. In fact, puppies play best in pairs, so divide the puppies in your playdate into dyads by matching their size and play style for maximum effectiveness. This type of pairing is critical for effective and safe play sessions.

4. Keep it supervised.

Puppies should not meet each other and be left alone. Your supervision is important to keep play healthy and so you begin learning more cues about your puppy’s behaviors and body language.

Puppy socialization checklist

With any new puppy, it’s essential to introduce them to as many possible situations they could encounter on a given day, including other dogs and other animals, different people and multiple types of environments, as long as it is done with the puppy being stress-free and relaxed.

While some socialization steps—such as visiting high-traffic areas or meeting other animals who may not be vaccinated—should be held off until your pup is fully vaccinated, there are many stimuli you can start introducing your puppy to as soon as you get them. For a great puppy socialization checklist you can work through with your puppy, try this one from the San Diego Humane Society.

puppy socialization checklist

(click to download the full checklist from SDHS)

Puppy socialization period

Start puppy socialization as soon as possible. Experts recommend taking the time between seven weeks and four months to really focus on socialization by slowly and properly introducing your puppy to a wide variety of different settings and scenarios in a safe setting. This time period is very important for your puppy, and the socialization that occurs during it can help mold how they react in the future to different social settings. Keep the socialization process limited until your dog has started their vaccinations, at which point puppy classes in a safe and comforting environment can help increase their awareness to different stimuli. Once your dog has received a full series of puppy vaccinations, visiting parks and stores that allow dogs are other great ways to introduce new sites, sounds, smalls, different people and other dogs.

When you begin the socialization period—especially depending on how young your dog is when you begin—keep in mind that your puppy could be skeptical at first. Most puppies go through a “fear period”—typically from 8 to 11 weeks of age—where they show fear of certain items, people (even people they previously were not afraid of) and situations. If your puppy has a scary experience during their “fear period,” they may hold on to those memories, so it’s important to pay attention to your puppies’ body language during a socialization trial to determine whether they are relaxed and participating or timid and shy or scared.

How to socialize a puppy before vaccinations

Vaccinations are an essential part of your puppies first year, since they will not only help keep your own puppy from contracting potentially harmful illnesses, but they help keep the animals your puppy is around safe from these issues as well. Your puppy will need to follow a schedule of vaccinations during their first year and after, so it’s essential that you do not socialize your puppy with other unknown dogs before they’ve had at least their first round of basic vaccinations.

While it may be difficult to schedule puppy socialization playdates around your dog’s vaccination schedule, you can always start building properly socialization skills through puppy playtimes. These interactive play settings provide a safe and clean space for puppies to start socializing with other dogs as early as after they’ve received their first vaccination. They are a great way to begin introducing your puppy to other dogs without the fear of them coming into contact with unvaccinated dogs.

Working to socialize your puppy is very important, but doing so properly is just as important. Luckily, Petco is there to help guide you through it. For any additional questions or resources, find your nearest Petco store and chat with a trained professional who can walk you through everything you need to know to get your puppy off on the right paw.

petco grooming book

Socialization at home

Welcome
Getting to know a new place is tough for anyone and puppies are no different. They will be curious about just about everything and everyone. Polite interaction is a good start, but don’t expect too much from your puppy for the first few days. Adapting to a new environment is exhausting!

Staking claim
It is natural for puppies to want to find some territory of their very own. Furniture, toys, even people can be claimed. Territorial growling over food or toys is a behavior that is important to discourage. If your puppy is being territorial over food, try hand feeding them until they understand that the food is yours and you are allowing them to have it. Puppies want you to be in charge. After all, you are their pet parent.

Teething and chewing
Teething is a natural part of a puppy’s development. What is not natural is for them to turn your hand into a chew toy. If your hand, ankle, shoe or possession is being teethed-on, firmly say, "no" and replace it with an acceptable chew toy. Praise this new option and remember that replacement is a good positive training method for your pup.

Puppies and children
Even extremely well-mannered dogs can get a little nervous or act out around children. Why? Well, children are just as energetic as a puppy and tend to get a little rambunctious. Puppies can misread this energy as aggression and get defensive. It’s best when children are polite to dogs, never teasing physically or verbally. Small children should not attempt to pickup or carry your puppy. This could lead to double injuries. With these ground rules, children and puppies can get along famously. From learning simple commands to learning the responsibility of having a puppy, both pets and children can learn from each other.

"To keep your dog calm when meeting new people, make sure to have treats, toys or something they find rewarding. As long as they stay and keep all paws on the floor, they get rewarded with the attention of you, the other person and treats."

Classes are the best way for your puppy to learn
Puppy and Basic Canine Education Classes are available at your local Petco. All new puppies should attend a Canine Education Class to learn good behaviors and healthy habits that last a lifetime. Early learning is critical to the development and socialization of your new dog.

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