Teaching your puppy that people are absolutely wonderful is one of the most important things you’ll ever do as a puppy parent. Proper socialization when they are just babies will help build the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted adult dog.

As stated in the book, Before and After Getting Your Puppy, by Ian Dunbar, “The general rule of thumb is that puppies should meet at least 100 people before they are three months old.” So this means you need to get to work immediately after bringing your puppy home. A good breeder should have already started introducing your pup to friendly strangers, and it’s imperative that you continue working on this goal starting day one!

Here are a few things you can do to achieve your puppy’s socialization goal:

Have a party! Invite 10 or 15 dog-loving friends over for a party, just for your pup. Make sure they are gentle souls that will treat your puppy with compassion, and encourage them to pet, hold and cuddle with your pup, giving him lots of treats and praise for being so willing.

You can impress your friends, too, by teaching your pup to sit before they even arrive, then, during the party, ask them to cue your dog to sit, and give him a treat him once he does. Your puppy will learn that training is fun and that they can take cues from all humans. The praise and attention they receive from doing a simple task such as to sit will help build up their puppy confidence.

You’ll love the proud faces on your human friends, too!

Take them with you! Take your puppy with you when you go to see friends, run errands, etc. Give your puppy as many "pawsitive" interactions as possible.

But BE SAFE. Since your puppy has not had all his shots, never place him on the ground in high dog traffic areas where he can pick up unwanted germs. Carry him if there is any question as to the cleanliness of the floor you are standing on. And carry around cleansing wipes, and anti-bacterial lotion, so that friendly strangers can wash their hands before they pet your precious pup.

Treat your puppy every time they see a person.

If you are out with your puppy, EVERY TIME, a person passes by, give your puppy a treat (even if the person doesn’t interact with your puppy). This will help your little one absolutely love people. People = treats. How cool is that?

The puppy months are some of the most precious times in our dogs’ lives with us,  and are an incredibly important time in their emotional development. With a little bit of planning and dedication, you can help your pup become a happy, well-socialized rascal. 

Don’t let this time slip away. Get to work today, and puppy kisses will come your way!

Rebecca Mandell

Owner and trainer at Dog's Best Friend

positive reinforcement dog training