Puppy Socialization Checklist – How to Socialize Your Puppy

Pets Can Smile – 10 July 2024

If your dog hasn’t been socialized as a puppy, the poor thing may suffer from behavior problems.

These behavior problems may include:

• Excessive barking
• Anxiety
• Hyperactivity
• Aggression

That’s right, socializing your puppy is critical!

This is why we’ve created a wildly popular Puppy Socialization Checklist. 

When To Start Socializing Your Puppy?

So how early should you start socializing your puppy?

You should start socializing your puppy the moment it arrives at your home.

Why so early?

Because the time between 3 weeks and 16 weeks of age is critical for socializing your puppy.

This is when your puppy’s personality and behavior are formed – more or less permanently.

A good breeder will start the socialization process in the first weeks of a puppy’s life. This usually includes letting a puppy play with its littermates and explore its surroundings.

And then the puppy arrives at your home!

This usually happens around the age of 7 to 10 weeks.

Socializing Your Puppy Before Vaccinations

Most puppies are not fully vaccinated until 16 weeks of age. 

But at this point, the critical socialization period has already ended!

So what should you do?

Simple – you should start socializing your puppy the moment it arrives to your home (usually at 7 to 10 weeks of age). 

That’s right, do NOT postpone your puppy’s socialization until you completed your puppy’s vaccinations. 

Yes, the dangers of parvovirus and other diseases are real – but the problems resulting from not socializing your puppy are just as real and far more likely to occur.

So… this is how to socialize your puppy before your dog gets any vaccinations.

Start by inviting your family members and friends to your home.

They can gently handle, feed, and play with your puppy.

But make sure to ask your guests to take their shoes off before entering your house. This will help protect your puppy against potentially harmful bacteria.

Also remember that your puppy needs a quality crate.

Here are the main reasons for getting a good crate for your puppy:

• Helps protect your puppy (and avoid trouble) when you’re away
• Creates a save zone and chill spot for your pup
• Protects your items from your naughty dog (without crate training, your puppy may chew on anything from shoes to carpets to furniture)
• Teaches your pup to hold it in a crate (which goes hand in hand with potty training)
• Solves separation anxiety (a puppy can be trained to associate its crate with happiness)
• Makes your puppy more comfortable being alone
• Makes it easier to manage your puppy around guests
• Helps your pup adjust faster and better to overnight stays at the vet
• Helps your puppy better handle travel

Here is our pick for the best crate for a puppy.

BEST CRATE

Frisco

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Collapsible (fold & carry)
• A divider panel creates a comfortable and safe space for a smaller pup that can be removed as your dog grows
• Easy to assemble (no tools needed)
• Great for travel (fold & carry)

And here is our pick for the best crate mat – yes, your puppy needs one.

BEST CRATE MAT

MidWest

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Perfect to keep your dog comfortable in a house, crate, or car
• Ultra-soft
• Stylish
• Easy to clean (machine-washable)

Just make sure your yard is not packed with wildlife – their feces may pose a health risk to your unvaccinated puppy.

If your yard is suitable, it’s a wonderful place for your puppy to explore and interact with.

Quick rides around the block are great for getting your puppy used to car rides.

This should help make your pup less prone to getting sick in a car later.

Yes, you can take you puppy outside – but only in a dog stroller.

This will give your puppy a safe head-start in getting used to new sights, sounds, smells, animals, and people.

Here is our pick for the best dog stroller.

BEST DOG STROLLER

Pet Gear

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Panoramic view
• No zippers for quick and easy access to your pup
• Interior tether (keeps your dog safe while it enjoys the elevated paw rest for maximum viewing pleasure)
• Removable & waterproof liner
• Easy to clean
• Rear safety brakes & front shock absorbers
• Cup holders & large storage basket for your convenience

Socializing Your Puppy After The First Round of Vaccinations

The first round of vaccinations usually happens when your puppy is 7-12 weeks old.

You probably picked up your puppy around the age of 7 to 10 weeks of age.

The next several weeks are critical for your puppy’s socialization.

At this age, your puppy is soaking up new experiences like a hungry sponge.

Yes, your socialization efforts during these several weeks will shape your pup’s behavior for life.

IMPORTANT

Until your puppy receives full vaccination at around 12 weeks, your dog won’t be able to fully explore the outdoors.

Invite healthy, vaccinated, and well-behaved dogs to your home.

Well, not just dogs – invite their owners, too 🙂

It’s also a great idea to visit other homes occupied by healthy, vaccinated, and well-behaved dogs.

Yes, it’s time for the real outdoors!

But make sure to avoid places full of other dogs – and make sure your dog doesn’t come into contact with feces of any kind.

Here are some of the common places you should avoid at this stage:

• Parks
• Hiking trails
• Pet stores

And always check with other dog owners to ensure their dogs are healthy and fully vaccinated before allowing your puppy to greet them.

Make sure to take your puppy to new places.

This will allow your puppy to experience new things – but as mentioned earlier, avoid crowded places at this stage.

Some dog owners take their puppies to puppy socialization classes.

This is a great way for your dog to meet other healthy and vaccinated (at least partly) puppies.

Quality puppy socialization classes always ensure that the area is suitable for puppies (clean and safe).

Socializing Your Puppy After All Vaccinations

This socialization stage starts 7-10 days after your puppy received all vaccinations.

Yes, you can finally take your pup to a dog park – exciting times!

Just watch your pup carefully and introduce it to other dogs gradually to ensure a positive experience.

And make sure your puppy wears a quality:

• Harness (or collar)
• Leash
• ID tag

HARNESS

So, should you get your puppy a collar or a harness?

We recommend both – so you’re prepared for whatever works best at any given time.

For example, if your puppy pulls too strongly (or too quickly) on a leash, it may damage its trachea.

It’s worth noting that a collapsed trachea is much more common in smaller dog breeds like Pomeranians and Yorkshire Terriers. Smaller dogs have more fragile structures.

A harness is better at protecting your puppy’s neck and throat. But note that you will need to buy more than one harness as your pup gets bigger and bigger.

BEST HARNESS

Li’l Pals

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Adjustable (comfortable and secure fit)
• Back D-ring for gentle guidance on walks
• Breathable mesh material (keeps dogs cool)
• Great for fussy pups

COLLAR

Look for a collar that is:

• Adjustable (to accommodate your growing puppy)
• Lightweight
• Soft (gentle for your puppy)
• Brightly colored (good visibility)
• Personalized (optional)

BEST COLLAR

Frisco

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Personalized with your dog’s name and your contact information
• Adjustable (get the exact fit for your pup)
• Reflective (great visibility)
• Very durable
• A ring to attach your pup’s ID tag

LEASH

We recommend that you start with a 4 ft or 6 ft leash.

We also recommend a standard leash, rather than a retractable one.

A standard leash is better at training your puppy to stay close and discourages it from free roaming. Yes, you want your doggy to walk nicely by your side, not ahead of you.

BEST LEASH

Li’l Pals

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Very comfortable grip
• Easy to put on
• Strong for secure handling
• Stylish design

ID TAG

Get an ID tag as soon as possible and secure it on your pup’s collar – you never know.

An ID tag will allow people to bring your lost puppy back home. Phew!

An ID Tag should include:

• Your puppy’s name
• Your telephone number
• Your city
• Any relevant medical information
• “I’m microchipped” message – if your pup is microchipped
• “I’m lost – please call my mom” message (optional)

BEST ID TAG

Frisco

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Very secure
• Plenty of space for essential info (dog’s name, your contact details)
• Available in two sizes to suit dogs of any sizes

A pet store is another great place for your pup to meet other animals and experience new smells.

That’s another great place for your pet to meet other pets.

A quick visit at your vet’s office will also help your pup get used to the place – this will pay off during health-related visits.

Puppy Socialization Checklist – Full List

Yes, introduce your puppy to as many new situations as possible, including:

PEOPLE

• People of all ages
• Men & women
• Different ethnicities
• People in uniform

PEOPLE WITH

• Mustaches & beards
• Glasses
• Hats & baseball caps
• Helmets
• Umbrellas

PEOPLE USING

• Canes & crutches
• Wheelchairs
• Baby strollers
• Luggage & backpacks

ACTIVE PEOPLE

• Joggers & cyclists
• Skateboarders
• Rollerbladers
• Soccer players

PEOPLE SOUNDS

• Loud talking
• Laughing & crying
• Shouting
• Children playing

BEING HANDLED

• Holding & carrying
• Petted by children
• Touching body parts
• Checking teeth & ears
• Cleaning teeth & ears
• Clipping nails
• Checking between pads
• Brushing
• Bathing

AT HOME

• Phone ringing
• Doorbell
• Door knocking
• Hair dryer
• Vacuum cleaner
• Washing machine
• Dishwasher
• Sweeping
• Mopping
• Electrical devices
• Guests & service people

SURFACES

• Carpet
• Hardwood floor
• Linoleum
• Ceramic tiles
• Reflective surfaces
• Slippery surfaces
• Pavement
• Snow & ice
• Mud
• Water & puddles
• Sand
• Grass
• Gravel

OUTDOOR EVENTS

• Parades
• Live music bands
• Outdoor parties

SETTINGS

• Rides in vehicles
• Car washes
• Socialization classes
• Vet clinics
• Groomers
• Elevators
• Staircases
• Automatic doors
• Busy streets
• Bridges
• Shopping areas
• School grounds
• Other homes
• Construction tools & sites
• Walks after dark

SOUNDS

• Vehicles
• Sirens
• TV & music
• Doorbell
• Home appliances
• Alarm clock
• Barking dogs
• Fireworks
• Thunder
• Gunshots

ANIMALS

• Dogs of different ages
• Various dog breeds
• Flat-faced dogs
• Cats
• Birds
• Farm animals
• Wildlife animals

Puppy Socialization Checklist – Conclusion

As discussed in this article, if your dog hasn’t been socialized as a puppy, the poor thing may suffer from behavior problems.

These behavior problems may include:

• Excessive barking
• Anxiety
• Hyperactivity
• Aggression

This is why we created our popular Puppy Socialization Checklist.

So your puppy can become the best it can ever be!

Our team wishes your puppy the best socialization experience ever!