Have a new puppy and don't know where to start? Try this!
The Puppy’s Rule of Twelve
Blue Mountain Icelandics * www.bluemountainicelandics.squarespace.com
Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include lots of treats and praise. Slow down and add distance if your puppy is scared or unsure.
By the time your puppy is 12 weeks old, it should have: (If your puppy is 12 weeks or older already, just start right away from the top with this socialization guide)
- Experienced 12 different surfaces: i.e. wood, woodchips, carpet, tile, cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud, puddles, deep pea gravel, grates, uneven surfaces, on a table, on a chair, etc…
- Played with 12 different objects: i.e. fuzzy toys, big and small balls, hard toys, funny sounding toys, wooden items, paper or cardboard items, milk jugs, metal items, etc…
- Experienced 12 different locations: i.e. front yard (daily), other people’s homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement, elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian hospital (just to say hi and visit, lots of cookies, no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), etc…
- Met and played with 12 new people: i.e. children, adults (mostly men), elderly adults, people in wheelchairs, walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, sunglasses, etc…
- Exposed to 12 different noises (ALWAYS keep positive and watch puppy’s comfort level): i.e. garage door opening, doorbell, children playing, babies crying, big trucks, motorcycles, washing machine, shopping carts rolling, power boat, clapping, loud singing, pan dropping, horses neighing, vacuums, lawnmowers, birthday party, etc…
- Exposed to 12 fast moving objects (don’t allow to chase): skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, people running, cats running, scooters, vacuums, children running, squirrels, cats, horses running, cows running, etc…
- Experienced 12 different challenges: i.e. climb on, in, off and around a box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb over obstacles, play hide and seek, go in and out a doorway with a step up or down, automatic sliding door, walk on a wobbly table, jump over a broom, climb over a log, bathtub and bath, etc…
- Handled by owner (and family) 12 times a week including at least: hold under arm (like a football), hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between owner’s legs, hold head, look in ears, mouth, in-between toes, hold and take temperature (ask a vet if you’re unsure), hold like a baby, trim toe nails, hold in lap, etc…
- Eaten from 12 different containers: i.e. wobbly bowl, metal, cardboard box, coffee cup, ceramic bowl, pie plate, plastic, frying pan, treat balls, spoon fed, paper bag, etc…
- Eaten in 12 different locations: i.e. back yard, front yard, crate, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bathroom, friend’s house, car, school yard, bathtub, up high (on table), etc…
- Played with 12 different puppies or safe adult dogs as much as possible
- Left alone safely, away from family and other animals (5-45 min. per time) 12 times a week
- Experienced a leash and collar 12 different times in 12 different locations.
Created by Positive Paws Dog Training-Margaret Hughes.Adopted with permission from Pat Schaap’s Rule of 7’s