How to Socialize Your Dog When You Must Stay at Home – Our Guide

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of pet owners in many ways. Social distancing measures, for example, prevent dogs from meeting their neighbourhood friends. This doesn’t just mean an afternoon of playtime lost, as a lack of socialization with other dogs can prevent a dog from developing healthy interactions with other animals.

The need to stay indoors also deprives dogs of the stimulation they need. Since they are very curious and open creatures, they can find the confines of a house restricting, and might pine for the grass or wilderness. This period does not have to be all gloom and doom for your furry friend, however, as you can still ensure their healthy growth and development without needing to venture too far from your doorstep.

1. Schedule virtual meetups or training

Your local dog training or doggie daycare center might have initiatives that will virtually walk you through the basics of puppy training. Keep in touch with them through their social media pages and stay updated for any new developments regarding the operating hours of the facility.

Online meetups and live streaming may not be a substitute for live interaction during dog training, but it helps you as much as it helps your pet. Just knowing that you are not alone in this situation will boost your morale and make the task of socializing your puppy much more enjoyable.

2. Practice them for the “real” thing

Some events that your dog must be ready for include getting their nails clipped, getting their fur groomed, being approached while they are eating, and other similar things. Though you cannot prepare them for other types of interactions, you can practice these with them so that they have the schema for it when you can bring them to actual service providers.

For younger animals, you can practice with them by getting them used to indoor noises like the ones generated by the HVAC, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, telephones, and more. Keeping them calm through natural events like thunderstorms is also a good way to socialize them while keeping indoors.

3. Play “dress up” with your dog

Young dogs will need to be assured that people who do not look like their family members are not necessarily harmful. You can help bring this message home by dressing up as strangers they might meet in the park. Wear dark glasses, hats, and wigs, or bring accessories while you walk—do everything you can to alter your appearance when interacting with them.

Though they will still recognize you through your scent, they may come to associate neutral emotions with the ‘costumes’ you wear, and they will be less hostile to people outside who look the way you did during dress up.

4. Socialize them from your home

Being outdoors is good for your dog, as it helps them get the exercise they need to stay healthy. Puppies 16 weeks and below should not stray too far from home, but given the COVID-19 restrictions on public movement, it is not a good idea to be too far from your house no matter how old and experienced your dog is at moving within your neighbourhood.

What’s more, it is still unclear whether dogs can contract the novel coronavirus, so keeping your dogs close to you will help you prevent this possibility. Socialization can be achieved simply by sitting in your driveway or on your porch and allowing them to observe the outdoors.

Any time they notice a stimulus, like a passing vehicle, a small animal, or your neighbours walking around, give them a treat and speak calmly to them. This will help them create positive associations with stimuli from outside the home.

Conclusion

Socializing your puppies is important for helping them grow into well-adjusted dogs. Though this process normally involves you going out with them for long walks, you can help them get acquainted with the world by recreating situations and exposing them to stimuli for controlled periods of time. With your help, you can make your dog less fearful and more confident using these socialization techniques.

We offer dog training in Brandon, as well as dog grooming, animal boarding, and more. Our centre is the 2020 winner of The Brandon Sun’s award for Best Pet Daycare in Brandon, Manitoba. Contact us to learn more!