How To Safely Socialize Your Covid Puppy
March 9, 2021
One of the good things to come out of the Covid pandemic is the number of puppies who have found new loving homes. But with everybody in lockdown and practicing social distancing, socializing your new family member requires a different approach.
Socialization is not just about introducing your dogs to new doggie friends. It’s also about giving them exposure to other social aspects and scenarios of life. For example, they need to know that skateboards, fire trucks, strange dogs and people are nothing to worry about.
Socialization teaches them to navigate their environment and the world at large with confidence, instead of being scared of every little noise or new thing they might encounter along the way. In fact, raising a well-balanced dog starts with socialization.
In effect, socialization trains your dog to be less sensitive and reactive to the world around them. So where do you start? And how do you meet the challenges of Covid restrictions? Here are a few tips to help you:
- The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society says that socialization needs to begin at around six weeks and last until 14 weeks of age to take effect. So start your puppy early.
- When your puppy is too young yet to go very far outside, introduce them to family members and people within your bubble. It’s a great way to get them used to other humans and dogs who love people are the best kind.
- When your puppy has had all their shots and is ready to venture outside, take them for a 10-minute walk in your neighbourhood. You can easily maintain social distance when you’re walking down the street. And your puppy will eventually get used to the sights and smells.
- Call your neighbours who have dogs and arrange for a driveway meet-and-greet.
- Drive to the park and go for a walk in a wide, open space. If you encounter other dogs, say hello and let your puppy initiate the sniff test. With a 6-foot leash, you can safely keep your distance, while your puppy gets some social interaction.
- When your puppy is feeling braver, expand your walks to other areas like city streets. Getting them used to traffic noises will help them develop into confident dogs.
- Similarly, plan a walk past a school during recess so your puppy can get used to the sounds and quick movements of kids.
On the whole, dogs who are not properly socialized at a young age will develop behavioral problems like aggression, fear and anxiety. As a result, these behaviours can make it more difficult to train your puppy. So start them young and make it fun!