Pandemic Pups: Raising a Well Socialized Dog in the Time of Coronavirus

It goes without saying that we’re living through some wild times right now. During periods of uncertainty, people naturally seek comfort, and for many folks, that comfort comes in a lovable canine form. Since the pandemic started, the percentage of dogs adopted into foster care has risen dramatically - up 47% by some counts - and people are seeking help with new puppies in record high numbers throughout the Bay Area and beyond. 

One concern among savvy dog owners and many professionals in the dog behavior and training field is that young puppies and dogs new to a household may suffer from lack of socialization due to COVID-19 restrictions. As director of the puppy training school that popularized the concept of early socialization classes for pups, we’re fielding lots of calls from worried pup parents these days. And to really bring the issue home, I myself got a new puppy at the beginning of the year. 

As a result, I’ve put tremendous thought and effort into how best to raise a puppy or train a new dog in the time of coronavirus. Happily, I’ve come to the conclusion that the current social climate, or lack thereof, does not have to hamper your dog’s development or educational process. In fact, with a bit of thoughtful planning, pandemic pups may well benefit from the situation in which we find ourselves. 

Stay with me here. Most people use the term “socialization” to describe the practice of teaching puppies how to have positive, communicative, appropriate interactions with other dogs, but also to some degree with people. Often this results in well-meaning owners and even some puppy school trainers creating play groups or “classes” of peers for puppies. Here, the pups play in a free form environment, generally learning that being in the presence of other dogs means it’s always “Yappy Hour” and often mistakenly thinking that every dog they encounter will want to wrestle and romp with them. 

When pups are in peer-aged groups of known companions, many canine social norms and niceties go by the wayside. Unless a puppy is also spending time with more staid adult dogs who will remind the pup of their manners (and also learning how to engage in fun and games with their human guardians), puppy playgroups without frequent training breaks can easily create social loons. Often, puppies raised in this way become overly aroused, leash reactive adolescent and adult dogs. They are also dogs that will generally have poor off-lead recalls. 

However, to me the word “socialization” means something different. To socialize is to comfortably acclimate a puppy to the world around them in which they are expected to live and thrive. To me, to socialize a puppy is to normalize the presence of people, places, and things in the environment. A well socialized dog should have decent social skills, sure, but that includes manners, decorum, confidence in all sorts of surroundings while maintaining engagement and focus on their core group/family/owner. A well socialized dog is not overly magnetized to other dogs and every human passerby. 

Imagine an adult person walking down a busy street full of shops and cafes. Now imagine if that person charged up to every person they encountered and enthusiastically shook their hand, or worse, jumped on their back and gave each stranger a noogie. It’s weird, right? Friendly? Sure. But also too much. Now imagine you are walking with this overly friendly human being and are trying to have a conversation with them, but they keep getting distracted, interrupting your time together with their odd and frequent greetings to strangers. It would be annoying for sure, but it’s also a little disrespectful of your time and attention. You might even think your companion finds you boring, or prefers the company of others. See where I’m going here? 

Engagement is the key to a successful relationship, be it with a human or canine, and attention is the measure of interest. Engagement leads to trust and allows for clear communication. Communication is how we teach dogs to navigate through society. Communication is training. Training leads to confidence! 

What does all of this have to do with pandemic pups? Well, social distance can definitely be your friend when teaching your dog that YOU are the sun, moon, and stars in their life, not every other pup on the planet. With fewer opportunities for everyone to meet, greet, and entertain your dog, it is up to you to quite literally take the lead and teach your dog to walk through the world with confidence, by your side. So many people use dog parks and puppy socials to tire out their dogs when that enrichment should really be about interactive play and training as a team. Also, back in BC times (before coronavirus) many well-meaning folks unintentionally overwhelmed their puppies with a constant onslaught of people, places, and things, including forced play via long trips to the dog park or daycare. 

Yes, there can be too much of a good thing. Over socialization, especially with sensitive breed types or personalities, can easily inundate young puppies and lead to them form negative associations with all of the things you are actually trying to normalize. Acting with the best of intentions, you may unwittingly create either reactivity or hyperactivity when attempting to socialize your dog.

So my advice during these strange times is to take your pup plenty of places, but keep your sessions short, sweet, and at a social distance. Hand feed your dog their meals while you are out and about. Bring a tug or squeaky toy along and create some fun on-the-spot games you can play in the presence of strange new people, places, and things. Identify a small pod of multi-aged dog friends for your dog to hang out with to continue to practice canine social etiquette, while keeping yourself safe and healthy. Go for hikes as a team or a family rather than just unleashing your pooch at the park and tuning out on your phone. 

The times are hard to be sure, but your dog doesn’t have to know it. Instead, put your worries on a short leash and take this opportunity to create a perfect pandemic pup.