How to Socialize Your Puppy After Quarantine

Puppies are an amazing source of affection, companionship and distraction. As we see the world evolve and businesses start to open back up with more capacity, we need to remember that these quarantine companions may have trouble interacting with humans and other animals if they haven’t been socialized throughout the pandemic.

Puppy Care

How to Socialize your Puppy After Quarantine

It is no surprise when we heard that more people were adopting puppies when we were put into quarantine. Puppies are an amazing source of affection, companionship and distraction. As we see the world evolve and businesses start to open back up with more capacity, we need to remember that these quarantine companions may have trouble interacting with humans and other animals if they haven’t been socialized throughout the pandemic.

Since COVID-19 your puppy has probably had little to no exposure to a lot of high stress environments.

Did you know that there are specific breeds that are known to be naturally anxious dogs? These breeds will likely require extra training and attention regardless of living in quarantine.

German Shepherd
Australian Shepherd
Labrador Retriever
Border Collie
Shorthair Pointer
Cocker Spaniel
Bichon Frise
King Charles Cavalier
Vizsla
Greyhounds
Havanese
Many of the toy breeds as well

We recommend always researching your dog’s breed so you know about their known behaviors and figure out the best course of action to introduce them to society after being isolated with you for so long.

The following can affect how our dogs react to new situations and should be approached with caution.

Loud Noises
Lack of prior interactions with other animals and other humans
Public areas
Lack of training/experience

At Brook Farm Veterinary Center we believe strongly in rewarding good behavior! This is where the treat method comes into play. We think it’s best to stick to one specific kind of treat, small in size, that you give to your pet only when training. Start easy and work your way up to more stimulating situations to ensure you don’t overwhelm your unsocialized companion.

There are so many places you can go to socialize your pet and expose them to something other than your home. For your convenience we’ve listed a few and we’ve tried our best to rank them from low to high depending on the stress level your pet may experience. Keep in mind there is no perfect answer here and each animal may react differently depending on the severity and root cause of their fear, anxiety, and stress. Always be sure to start on the low end and work your way up without overwhelming your pet.

Walk around the neighborhood– Low level
Car – Low/ Medium level
Friends House – Low/Medium level
Friends House with another dog - Medium/High level
Non-Dog Park – Medium level
Street Shops Walk – Medium/high level if during business hours
Dog Park – High level
Animal Specific Retail Store – High level
Restaurant/Bar/Store – High level

The only way you’re going to know what affects your pet is to keep a close watch on their behavior whenever in unfamiliar situations. See how they react and see how you need to react to comfort them. It’s going to be the best way to introduce your puppy to the world after being isolated together for so long.