09/05/2026
Socialization is SO much more than just letting your puppy meet other dogs. 🐾
Today Baji came along with me to Ross, and outings like this are such an important part of raising a confident, well adjusted dog.
During puppyhood, we want to safely expose our dogs to as many different experiences as possible different places, people, sounds, surfaces, car rides, shopping carts, doors opening, people walking by, having their paws and ears touched, grooming, other animals, and everyday noises they’ll encounter throughout life.
But socialization should be done gradually. Start somewhere quiet where your puppy can be successful. Once they’re comfortable, slowly add distractions. Eventually, you can begin taking them into busier environments where they learn that they can remain calm, listen to you, and simply exist around everything happening around them.
The goal isn’t for your puppy to run up and greet every person or dog they see. The goal is to teach them that new things are normal and they don’t have to be afraid or overly excited by them.
These early experiences can play a huge role in reducing future fear, anxiety, reactivity, and unwanted behaviors. As a trainer, one of the biggest things I encourage puppy owners to focus on is building confidence early instead of waiting until a problem develops.
A confident dog is a safer, happier dog. ❤️
Start small. Stay consistent. Build confidence.
🐾 Milo’s Mobile Dog Training
Sit. Stay. Obey.
A trained dog is a confident dog, and a confident dog is a safe dog.