Socializing Your Dog

If you are just starting out training a therapy dog, or if your dog needs more exposure, here is a list of socialization activities. If your dog can stay cool, calm, and collected with each item below, he is on his way to being a great therapy dog. Print this page and check off passed items.

People:
adults
children
seniors
disabled
various ethnicities

People who are:
walking
running
bending
hopping
crawling
swimming
yelling, cheering
bathing
carrying things
eating
pushing grocery carts
in a wheelchair
using a walker
using crutches
using a cane

People riding:
bicycles
skateboards
wagons

roller skates
motocycles
pogo sticks

Sights:
balloons, regular
balloons, helium
statues
garage door
birds
umbrellas, pop-up
other dogs
moving toys
mirrors
cats, hamsters, etc.
 

Places
friends' houses
pet store
outdoor mall
car rides
nursery (plants)
veterinary office
obedience classes
neighborhood park
beach
beach boardwalk
farmer's markets
outdoor restaurants
parades
sports events
parking structures
strip malls
tourist areas

Surfaces:
grass
concrete
gravel
asphalt
slippery floor
elevator
ramps
wood floor, deck
stairs
sand or dirt
rocks
snow
puddles
cardboard
carpet
wire cage, flattened

Introduce your puppy to other pets.

Sounds
doorbell
TV
radio
pots and pans
vacuum
stereo
clapping
dropping things
whistle
sirens
singing
car honking
balloons popping
noisemakers (party)
popcorn popping
electric saw
blender
can opener
lawn mower
fireworks
yelling, cheering
drums
piano
electric tools
yard blower
garbage disposal
automatic garage door

Other:

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