Expanded list of socialization ideas

Myra and I are planning the socialization outings for the puppies and thanks to some of you we have an expanded list and a timeline in the works.  The list seems overwhelming at first but I really believe many of the planned outings will cover many things on the list at once and probably repeatedly.  Myra has some great ideas especially for potential service dogs.

Outings are planned for Mall of America Camp Snoopy, Outdoor concerts in the park, Como Park, area with bars, horse farm, airport, different houses in the city, Macalester College ball fields and campus grounds, indoor agility training school, light rail ride, bus ride and a a couple of puppy parties are being planned.

Start at 3 weeks (or when ears open):

CDs with various sound effects

"Dinner bell" - clanging metal on the metal feed dish right before putting food in the dish


Different types of metal/plastic grates under the feed dish so they are standing on different surfaces when eating.

Thunderstorms in the pole barn

Fireworks

Airplanes (a road trip to the Mpls airport is planned)

Noise making toys

Clapping

Pots and pans making noise

Dropping of lots of different sounding things

Lawn mower /weed whacker engines


Power tool noises

Vaccuums

Brooms

Small box derby - puppies in boxes demo derbies and racing

Squeaky toys

Whistles

Chimes

Musical instruments

Timers

Popcorn popping

Bubble wrap popping

Balloons popping


Start at 4 weeks

Thunderstorms

Thunder/rain in pole barn

Tornado/civil defense siren

Outside puppy pen with boards, wobble boards, rubber mats, ramps,

Ceiling fan

Carrying big things around the puppies

People wearing funny clothes

Feeding in crates

Riding in wheelbarrow

Short car trips to new places

Different surfaces: astroturf, concrete, gravel, dirt, wet grass, mud, puddles, curbs, woodchips, mulch, shavings,

Start at 5 weeks

Children of all ages

Agility horn/go voice

Windy flags, tent flaps, caution tape

Sirens - fire stations

Concerts in the park (will see a lot of the people listed below)

Meet different people - age, gender, ethnicity, accents, clothing, mannerisms

People in different positions - bending over, on ladders, using tools, carrying things, pushing things, running, skipping and riding on things.

Hair dryer

Blowing hair dryer on dog

Kitchen machines - food processor, blender, coffee grinder, ice maker

Cuckoo clocks, toaster popping

People noises (laughing, sighing, coughing, crying, blowing nose)

Child noises (noisy play, noisy toys, baby crying)

Clapping/applause

Church organ (begin with a recording/CD)

Construction equipment (backhoe, jack hammer, etc.)

Start at 6 weeks

People: with different hair (facial and head),  wearing ski masks, surgical mask, different glasses, hats, groups of people, yelling, wrestling and kids playing.

Water - hoses, sprinklers

Vet office (planning a "fun" trip - no needles trip to the Vet's office)

Buster Cubes

Treat hunting games

Airplanes

Traffic noises

Hot air balloons - if possible

Regular helium balloons

Umbrella opening

Start at 7 weeks

Athletic field - games baseball/soccer/basketball

Drunk people

Disabled kids and adults

Wheelchairs, canes, walkers

Bicycles

Motorcycles

Strollers

Bubbles

Skateboards/Rollerblades

Shopping carts

People at night time - in the dark

Nail grinding

CERF exam visit

Start 8 weeks
Chiro visit

Swimming

Light Rail

Amusement Park

Buses

Other animals (safely): cats, adult dogs, different breeds of dogs, other puppies, ducks, geese, sheep, horses, cows, rabbits, squirrels, birds, small rodents that may be in a household

People wearing character costumes (Santa, Goldie Gopher, various mascots)

Clowns

Mirrors


List keeps growing...  this is a good list for follow-up after pups go home to continue to expose them to these things to further their socialization.