05/07/2025
I have created a socialisation checklist to expose your puppy to new experiences while minimising the risk of disease.
Aim for positive, low-stress encounters and always reward calm behaviour. Be prepared to leave events if your puppy is not enjoying the experience.
People & Handling
✅ Men, women, children (supervised)
✅ People wearing hats, sunglasses, hoodies
✅ People with beards, walking sticks, wheelchairs
✅ Gentle handling of paws, ears, mouth, and tail
✅ Vet-style handling (lifting, gentle restraint)
Dogs & Other Animals
✅ Calm, fully vaccinated adult dogs (friends/family’s pets)
✅ Puppies in a clean, supervised puppy class
✅ Cats, birds, livestock (from a safe distance)
Surfaces & Objects
✅ Grass, gravel, sand, wooden floors, tiles, concrete
✅ Stairs (small, safe steps at first)
✅ Wobbly surfaces (low platforms, balance boards)
✅ Umbrellas, wheelie bins, bicycles
Sounds & Environments
✅ Traffic noises (from a safe distance)
✅ Vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, washing machine
✅ Doorbells, knocking, fireworks (via recordings at low volume)
✅ Shopping areas, outdoor cafés (carried or on a clean mat)
Outings & Experiences
✅ Car rides (short trips with rewards or lick mat)
✅ Vet visits for treats and pats (no injections) wait outside if the room is noisy so you do not over whelmed your pup.
✅ Safe visits to friends’ houses (supervised)
✅ Being carried in new environments to take in sights and sounds.(at a safe distance)
What to Avoid
❌ Dog parks (high risk of disease and overwhelming interactions)
❌ Unknown dogs with unknown vaccination status
❌ Puddles or areas with high dog traffic
❌ Forcing interactions—let your puppy explore at their own pace
Tips for Success
✔ Keep interactions short and positive
✔ Use treats and praise to build confidence
✔ Watch body language—stop if your puppy seems overwhelmed
✔ Socialisation is about quality, not quantity
