It is critical to get every puppy exposed to novel and weird as much as possible, every day if possible, until they are around 12-16 weeks old. The more new things they see, hear, smell, touch and and interact with, the better they will be able to handle all future novel experiences. Because weird things happening is their NORMAL. And if you can pair new environments with training for settle, eye contact, stay with me, sit, etc. the better they will do later when training in new places.
NOTE: I am socializing Mr. as a potential Service Dog given some health issues I have been dealing with. They are currently well managed with meds, but I don’t know what the future might bring so I want him to be ready for anything in case I need him as a Service Dog in the near future.
To see the various surfaces he has experienced, click here: SURFACES
Watching a fountain while on a raised stone surfaceWalking across a raised bridgeMeeting my chickens and ducksMeeting a firefighter in full gear at the firehouseChecking out the Happy Ratter roomHe’s been to Hobby Lobby several timesHe met himself in these mirrors (& several others)He’s been to Lowes several timesWe visited a small underground gold mineHe visited a big dog show in his stroller crateFarmers MarketMet a goat at the farmers marketExperienced a misting fan and liked it!Watched this wild thing from the vanRode on a luggage cartWalked on, rode, and walked off several elevatorsHotel stairway with an echoWalked around a small town downtownHorse showWatching the horse showWater is NOT a problem! LOLChecking out the river. He wasn’t sure about the reflection.First swim! Nearby spot with less reflection of the sky.Pedestrian tunnel under a highway with strong wind and an echoWatching screaming and running kids at a waterpark. Several kids under the big splash.Having visitors at homeSuper busy mall, several Service Dogs, running kids, loud musicFloating dock that I was rockingMarshalls several times (pet friendly)Tractor Supply a few timesPlayground slide- he walked down it because he wasn’t trying to dig in with his clawsWatching the Halloween animatronics in motionRiding a swing that also slides on a trackVisiting a skate park- watched roller skaters and skateboardersWe walked the skate park ramps after everyone left. Some are really steep! This one was mild.He watched kids kicking around a soccer ball and yellingMotor boat started up and motored offAnother floating dock, with moving water and people fishingWe have visited a few bigger downtown areasWe attended GalaxyCon and he met SOOO many people in all sorts of outfits, colors, and masks! Just 11 weeks old and he took all the novelty he saw in stride! He was sleepy in this shot.Met a couple police officersAnd even played with Predator!Predator was one of the more wild things we saw, but there was a LOT of amazing coz play! He was relaxed enough to take a nap during our visitAnother large city downtown and hissing bussesParking garagesHike on a wooded paved trail after he had his second round of vaccinesVisit to the oceanWalked out on a 900′ pier over the ocean and watched the fishermenGot some stacking practice in while on the pierVisited an amusement park and watched several rides operate. Walked the boardwalkVisited a Ripley’s Believe it or Not. This dino ‘roared’ when we went byWalked the full loop of varied environments at Broadway at the Beach, music, crowds, ducks, fish, amusement type rides, even fast moving boats doing ‘donuts’ in the water.Bubbles! We encountered bubbles in several places.Kids jumping 40′ in the air are no big dealVisited the aquarium! This underwater tunnel got packed with people later in our visitWe were one of the first ones in the aquariumTaking a nap while crowds glide by and I watch the shark feedingWe also took a glass bottom boat tour that was almost empty! This saw fish is 12′ long!He met a neutral dog at the feed storePushing soft stuff around to eat his mealPlaying on things that make noiseRiding on the trash bag I was dragging aroundEating his food out of a crinkly feed bagRiding the feed bag I was dragging aroundPushing metal things around to eat his foodSpins on an upside down Bosu ball. His balance is incredible!Walking on mirrors. This one took awhile.
