Socialisation is one of the most important parts of raising a well-rounded, confident dog. The experiences your puppy has in the first few months will shape their behaviour for life. This week, we’ll cover how to introduce your puppy to new environments, people, and dogs while avoiding fear periods and overstimulation.
Why Socialisation Matters
Socialisation isn’t just about meeting lots of people and dogs—it’s about positive exposure to new sights, sounds, and experiences. Proper socialisation helps prevent fear, anxiety, and reactivity in adulthood.
🐾 What Should Your Puppy Experience?
✅ Different environments (parks, car rides, shops, quiet streets, busy areas)
✅ Various surfaces (grass, sand, pavement, tiles, wooden floors)
✅ Household noises (hoovers, washing machines, doorbells)
✅ People wearing hats, sunglasses, high-vis jackets, umbrellas
✅ Friendly, well-socialised dogs and other animals
📝 Tip: Every new experience should be positive and controlled—never force your puppy into a situation if they seem scared.
Meeting New People & Friendly Dogs
Introducing Your Puppy to People
👨👩👧👦 Puppies should meet a variety of people but at their own pace. Let them approach rather than being forced into interactions.
🙌 Encourage visitors to be calm and allow the puppy to sniff them before petting.
🍖 Give guests treats to offer, so your puppy associates new people with good things.
Meeting Other Dogs the Right Way
🐕 Only introduce your puppy to friendly, well-mannered dogs—not every dog is a good match for a young pup.🚶♂️ Start with on-lead parallel walking rather than head-on greetings, which can feel overwhelming.
⏳ Keep play sessions short—over-excitement can lead to bad habits like rough play or jumping.
🚫 Avoid dog parks—uncontrolled environments can expose puppies to rough play or negative experiences.
📝 Tip: It’s okay if your puppy is unsure at first. Give them time to build confidence rather than forcing interactions.
Avoiding Fear Periods & Overstimulation
Puppies go through fear periods where they may suddenly become nervous about things they were fine with before.
These usually happen around:
8–10 weeks
4–5 months
🛑 Signs of Fear:
Flattening ears
Tucked tail
Freezing or backing away
Avoiding eye contact
🎯 How to Handle It:
✔ Don’t force them into scary situations—let them observe from a safe distance.
✔ Use treats and praise to create positive associations.
✔ Stay calm—if you act worried, your puppy will pick up on it.
✔ Allow them to retreat if needed—confidence grows when they feel safe.
🚀 Avoiding OverstimulationToo many new experiences in one day can overwhelm your puppy, leading to hyperactivity or stress. Balance socialisation with quiet time.
📝 Tip: If your puppy seems overexcited or struggles to settle after outings, they may be overstimulated. Reduce outings and focus on calm experiences.
How to Introduce New Experiences Correctly
🐶 Go at Your Puppy’s Pace – Let them explore new things at their own comfort level.
🎾 Pair New Experiences with Rewards – If they hear a loud noise, follow it with a treat to make it a positive experience.
⏳ Keep It Short & Positive – A few minutes of exposure is enough. Stop while they’re still happy.
🏡 Practise at Home First – Introduce sounds (doorbells, hoovers) at low volume before exposing them in real life.
📝 Tip: Keep a checklist of new experiences your puppy has had and gradually introduce more over time.
What’s Next?
This week, you’ve helped your puppy gain confidence in the world.
In Week 5, we’ll move on to basic obedience—teaching sit, down, and stay!
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