Socializing A Puppy When You Can't Be Social

Bringing a new puppy into your family is a joyful event, but now is an unfortunate time to be a puppy. With stay-at-home orders and social distancing, puppies are missing out on key socialization opportunities, and that could affect their emotional well being in the future. 

The good news is, there’s more to socialization than just going places and meeting people. It’s also exposing your puppy to sounds, surfaces, textures, and experiences. Baths, nail trims, ear cleaning...those are parts of socialization. So is introducing them to vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, lawn mowers, and other barking dogs. Some of these are things you can do at home. Others, such as the sound of lawn mowers or barking dogs, you can find on Youtube videos.  You can even prepare them to encounter new people by wearing hats or hoodies with the hood up around the house. 

But wait, there’s more!

Many businesses that used to require meeting in person are moving online, and that includes trainers! With video meeting platforms like Zoom, you can attend private or group classes from home. The puppies can’t play together, but they can learn together, and maybe your class can get together for a party once the pandemic is over and life returns to normal.

We highly recommend online puppy socialization class through Animal Behavior Wellness Center.  Puppies can start as young as 8 weeks old! Visit abwellnesscenter.com/classes to learn more.