NEW PUPPY SOCIALIZATION CHECK LIST
8-12 weeks

Early socialization is crucial to raising a well tempered & well behaved pup.

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• Measure out your puppy’s daily kibble allowance and have them work for it like treats. Also, put a small portion in their food bowl and when they are eating, approach a few times to add a little more. This prevents food aggression.

• Fill Kong Toys with softened kibble or wet dog food and place in their confinement area so they learn to chew toys and not your furniture.

• Touch puppy everywhere DAILY! Give a piece of kibble for each body part: ears, paws, teeth, tail, collar, etc.

• Cradle your puppy like a baby, put them down only when they are still and not struggling.

 

HAVE PUPPY PARTIES!! Have them meet 25-30 people every week. Each person should
hold and hug the puppy and offer a treat. Make sure this includes men, women and children.

 

Expose your puppy to many different noises. (ex. Vacuum, lawn mower, etc) Play & praise
them, so that they are not fearful.

 

• Take your puppy on car rides so they enjoy the car. Travel to places other than just the vet.

• During car rides, crack the windows so they are exposed to different sights, smells & sounds.

• Allow puppies to mouth gently the first few weeks. Yelling “Ouch!” when they bite too hard.

• If hard biting continues, end the play session. Gradually require softer and softer mouthing.

• Hold chew bones and Kongs while your puppy chews. Offer a treat and say “Drop it” so they forfeit the bone to you. Say “Get it” so they can resume chewing.

• Take your puppy out to go potty every hour. Only if they potty outside, can they play outside their confinement area. If not, put them back and try again in 15- 20 minutes.

• Your puppy should be supervised every moment they are not confined to prevent ALL housebreaking.