Sharing Puppy Socializing & Desensitizing Experiences/Ideas

This thread is to help and give ideas to anyone getting a new puppy, breeding a litter or already have a new addition to their home.

Many of us know that one of the keys to having a well adjusted, stable minded enjoyable dog is to safely expose them to as many experiences, people, safe puppies/dogs and situations as possible throughout their entire puppyhood.

Haha you're awesome

I've been doing lots with my little guys - different types of music, live music (since I'm a cellist), random noises, TV stuff, tippy planks, cat tunnels, a folded down grooming table, and cardboard box mazes. They are comfortable on hardwood floors, tile, concrete, grass, rocks, wood planks, and of course carpet. They've had visitors over constantly since they've been born that have safely handled them - touched ears, paws, checked bite... Nail trims are easy, and they've been brushed many times (though they don't really need it). I have them wearing collars supervised throughout the day to get them used to those in preparation for leash training.

Thanks to Ado's advice,"Meals on wheels" has also been implemented (started last week) to get them used to car rides, crates, and different smells. I will drive somewhere with the boys in their crate with a meal, park the car with windows rolled down, and let them just eat and listen/smell. I'm now planning some time to drive by a local gun range, and the Philly airport, with the boys in a crate with lots of yummy food.

On my mornings off, I would carry Squash up and down the alley while other people were leaving for work and ask them to feed him a few treats. He was a winter baby so he got to see people wearing all sorts of coats/ hats/ boots, see/hear different vehicles, people scraping frost off their cars, shoveling, garage doors opening, just a lot of everyday stuff in large quantities.

Also, one day I accidentally walked by a local elementary school just as they were letting out for the day. We were across the street and he just sat down and watched for awhile. After that, I would try to walk by and let him watch when school got out for the afternoon and/or when kids were arriving for school in the morning and/or recess (depending on my schedule for that day). I probably looked like a total creeper but I knew the schedules of all the schools within walking distance.

Ohhhh that's great! We have an elementary school right near my house! But I work the same hours LOL. Hmmmm.... There's also a little league field near me! I'm sure they have weekend games, and maybe some evening practices.