21/03/2026
PUPPY SOCIALISATION- IT’S NOT ABOUT EXPOSURE
Five years ago, I was fostering Twig and at 9 weeks old, I focused heavily on how I socialised her.
This didn’t mean busy parks, crowds of people, or meeting dozens of dogs. Instead, it was the complete opposite.
Twig met a very carefully selected handful of dogs that I knew would be kind, calm and gentle with her. Socialisation was always about quality over quantity.
From early on, she learned how to interact with other dogs, not through endless exposure, but through the right experiences:
• Dogs of different ages, breeds and sizes
• Dogs who were tolerant and emotionally stable
• Dogs who helped her feel safe and confident
I remember her meeting Henry (or HCloud as we called him 😂). He was my Sylvi’s best friend and he was perfect, a calm hello and then mostly ignoring her. No pressure, just a safe, positive experience. She was fascinated by his fluffy tail and he was incredibly gentle with her.
I was very aware that one of the worst things that could happen at that age was a bad interaction.
There was never any need for her to meet dogs who would “put her in her place.”
I always say now- if someone tells you that, walk away.very fast!
Over the years, I’ve worked with lots of dogs who were frightened or attacked during those early experiences and many are traumatised and carry that anxiety long term.
So back then, I was careful:
• I was selective about who she met
• I checked with owners first and If there was any hesitation it was a no
• I made sure their dogs were genuinely good with puppies
There was no rush. She didn’t need to meet 100 dogs by 12 weeks old.
What she needed was:
✔ Safe experiences
✔ Positive associations
✔ Kind “auntie and uncle” dogs to learn from
And that approach paid off.
Twig is now an adult who really likes other dogs and she has good social skills
What should socialisation involve?
Early socialisation isn’t about “getting them used to everything” it’s about shaping how they feel about the world.
Puppies don’t need lots of exposure. They need good emotional experiences.
One positive interaction builds confidence.
One negative interaction can create lasting fear.
When we prioritise safety, predictability and calm role models, we’re not just socialising puppies. we’re building resilient, emotionally secure adult dogs 💛
