Puppy Socialization 101: Rover’s Guide To a Confident Dog

Socialization is the process of strategically introducing a puppy to new things and pairing them with positive associations—and it’s one of the best things you can do for a new pup. Just about everything is easier for a well-socialized dog, from finding a pet sitter or a daycare provider to enjoying a dog-friendly café.

Yet in a recent survey, Rover found that less than half of pet parents remember a vet, trainer, or pet care professional mentioning socializing their dog. The result is nearly a third regret not exposing their dog to other animals, people, and new places when they were younger, and 67% report some form of reactivity toward people, animals, or handling.

It’s easy to see why—socialization is one of the hardest kinds of training to get right, especially since research says you only have the first 12 to 16 weeks of your dog’s life to do it.

We’re here to help, with a step-by-step guide to the process of socialization for puppies, plus an in-depth explainer on how to help adult pups who missed the window.

How To Socialize and What To Cover

Socialization isn't just plopping your puppy down in new situations—it's a careful process that introduces new things in a safe and positive way. With help from Kait Hembree, Head Trainer at GoodPup, we'll go over how to do it right, plus what you need to cover to help your pup grow into a comfortable, confident adult.

How To Introduce People, from Strangers to Kids

People are a good place to start socializing your puppy, since the process works well with vaccine restrictions on young pups. You can invite people over to your home, or you can put your puppy in a dog-safe backpack and tour the neighborhood to people watch.

Introducing New Sounds & Environments

Socialization to new places, sounds, and textures will help your puppy feel at ease wherever they go, whether it’s a quiet park, a busy sidewalk, or a vet’s office. Here's what to do and where to practice.

Meeting New Dogs and Other Animals

Introductions to other animals are a key part of socializing your puppy, from meeting your dog at home to greeting new pups on the street. Don't forget cats, squirrels, birds, and any other critters your pup is likely to encounter.

Puppy Body Handling & Care Prep

Getting a puppy used to being picked up, held, and handled is great practice for future grooming and vet care. Building positive associations with touch is key.

Building Comfort With Gear

Getting comfortable with their collar, leash, and harness is an early socialization exercise that will help your puppy turn into a champion loose-leash walker.

Troubleshooting

Puppy socialization isn't always straightforward, but there are some tricks that can help. For example, learning how to read your puppy's body language will help you recognize when your puppy is uncomfortable, overtired, or unengaged—which are key times to stop socialization or training. And if your puppy is looking extra skittish, they might be experiencing a fear period. Here's how to navigate the ups and downs.

Socializing Adult Dogs

It's never too late to help a pup feel more comfortable in the world around them. While it's not usually called "socialization" after the first 14 weeks, exposure followed by desensitization and counterconditioning can make a huge difference.

Training & Socialization Resources

You don't have to go it alone—if you're feeling overwhelmed, call in a pro to help. A good positive reinforcement trainer can overhaul your strategy so it works for both you and your pup. And a sitter or walker can give you a break while still getting your puppy out to experience new things.