Expose your dog to a wide variety of people , from men and women to children , so they can acclimate to seeing people . If your dog only ever hangs out with one person , they may grow wary of anyone who isn ’ t that person , so it is crucial to change up your dog ’ s social calendar and make time for meet-and-greets .
· Stay calm and confident if your dog acts scared . Most dogs will look to you for cues when they are scared or skittish , so give them the confidence they need .
· Ensure that people pet your dog where their hands can be seen , like on your dog ’ s chest or chin . While it may be instinct to pat their head , this may make them skittish .
· Use treats so your dog can associate new people and experiences positively .
· Hire a dog walker or pet sitter to give your dog exposure to different people while keeping them in the hands of a professional .
Importance of socializing puppies If you have just adopted a puppy , we suggest the rule of 12 to set your puppy up for success . By the time your puppy is 12 weeks old they should have :
· Experienced 12 different surfaces : wood , woodchips , carpet tile , cement , linoleum , grass , wet grass , dirt and mud , puddle grates , uneven surfaces , on a table , on a chair , etc . Played with 12 different objects : fuzzy toys , big and small balls , hard toys , funnysounding toys , wooden items , paper or cardboard items , milk jugs , etc .
· Experienced 12 different locations ( if puppy is not fully vaccinated , carry him in your arms ): front yard , other people ’ s homes , school yard , lake , pond , river , basement , elevator , car , moving car , garage , laundry room , hardware store , pet store , stairs , etc .
· Met and played with 12 new people , outside of those he lives with : children , adults ( male and female ), elderly adults , people in wheelchairs , walkers , people with canes and umbrellas , crutches , hats , sunglasses , men with deep voices , people with different colors of skin , etc .
· Exposed to 12 different noises ( always keep positive and watch puppy ’ s comfort level — we don ’ t scare the puppy ): garage door opening , doorbell , children playing , babies screaming , etc .
· Exposed to 12 fast-moving objects without chasing them : skateboards , rollerblades , bikes , motorcycles , cars , people running , cats running , scooters , children running , squirrels , etc .
32 Life Unleashed