Sherab 2,337 Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 When we got our last dog, he came with a socialization check list. It's worked great. 1) Socialization contact with 600 Different people before the age of 8 months. That might seem overwhelming but you can easily get 8 - 10 people from a single visit to the local Lowes or Petco. 50 - 100 by attending a local festival. I don't think AIDs need this per se but it's amazing what confidence that can build in your dog. 2) Interactions with People: Holding puppy, touching paws, touching muzzle, mouth, ears, tail, hugging, neck/collar, teeth, nails, between pads, rear legs, cleaning ears, bottom (temperature or glan expression), grooming 3) People shapes/ movement: Beards, glasses, jewelry, hats, helmets, stroller, babies, toddlers, 5-12, 13- 19, elderly, cains, crutches, walkers, wheel chair, bikes, scooters, children running, special needs, crowds 4) People smells: Cigarettes, cleaning products, shop smells, gas station, perfume 5) Sounds: Vacuum, leaf blow, tractor, chain saw, shop tools, garbage pail rolling, loud talking, arguing, laughing, crying, shouting, children playing, Children screeching/ crying, construction noises, car horns, sirens, fireworks, gun fire, traffic, Thunder, trucks, trains, knocking on door, door bell, music 6) Places/ textures: Wood bridge, pavement, sand, rocks, docks/ bridges, Restaurant, Day care, boarding, hotel, camper, condo, stairs, pet shop, vet, mall/shop, Fair/festival 7) Animals: Goats, puppies, adult dogs (male/female), kittens, cats, horses, cow, sheep chickens, rabbits, mice, ferrets. I made a spread sheet and it was fun, like a scavenger hunt. You can add or subtract based on your lifestyle. What I like about it is that a pup has a window for these purposeful, controlled introductions and if I mindfully make the events happen, it's less likely there will be some kind of accidental encounter that will leave a fear imprint. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittynDoc 968 Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) When we got our last dog, he came with a socialization check list. It's worked great. 1) Socialization contact with 600 Different people before the age of 8 months. That might seem overwhelming but you can easily get 8 - 10 people from a single visit to the local Lowes or Petco. 50 - 100 by attending a local festival. I don't think AIDs need this per se but it's amazing what confidence that can build in your dog. 2) Interactions with People: Holding puppy, touching paws, touching muzzle, mouth, ears, tail, hugging, neck/collar, teeth, nails, between pads, rear legs, cleaning ears, bottom (temperature or glan expression), grooming 3) People shapes/ movement: Beards, glasses, jewelry, hats, helmets, stroller, babies, toddlers, 5-12, 13- 19, elderly, cains, crutches, walkers, wheel chair, bikes, scooters, children running, special needs, crowds 4) People smells: Cigarettes, cleaning products, shop smells, gas station, perfume 5) Sounds: Vacuum, leaf blow, tractor, chain saw, shop tools, garbage pail rolling, loud talking, arguing, laughing, crying, shouting, children playing, Children screeching/ crying, construction noises, car horns, sirens, fireworks, gun fire, traffic, Thunder, trucks, trains, knocking on door, door bell, music 6) Places/ textures: Wood bridge, pavement, sand, rocks, docks/ bridges, Restaurant, Day care, boarding, hotel, camper, condo, stairs, pet shop, vet, mall/shop, Fair/festival 7) Animals: Goats, puppies, adult dogs (male/female), kittens, cats, horses, cow, sheep chickens, rabbits, mice, ferrets. I made a spread sheet and it was fun, like a scavenger hunt. You can add or subtract based on your lifestyle. What I like about it is that a pup has a window for these purposeful, controlled introductions and if I mindfully make the events happen, it's less likely there will be some kind of accidental encounter that will leave a fear imprint. Wow! This is amazing! We socialized Wyot right away, and Kitchee is getting the same treatment...I vacuum, wash dishes, bang around and do my normal things...Kitchee wakes, then, repositions and goes right back to sleep...Wyot is the same way! We've visited with people in the last few days, and Kitchee is handled, cuddled, played with, and most of all, his brother Wyot puts him throught his paces! Love this list. Edited February 19, 2018 by KittynDoc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Samie 175 Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Thank you so much for this list! I will start working on it. My only concern is the number of dog interactions. She hasn't had any shots yet (comes on Wednesday) and this forum has me terrified of Parvo. (True fact: Didn't know it existed until I came on here where everyone treats it like the plague. Now I'm beyond worried she'll end up with it.) I get an exercise pen today and so the housework will start very soon. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittynDoc 968 Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Don't worry so much about the parvo- look up what is prevalent in your area as far as dog diseases are concerned. If you feed well, socialize in a controlled environment, and then after her shots, you can widen the scope also as her immune system steps in. Feed good quality food which assures them good anti-oxidants to protect. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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