01/09/2025
❄️Winter can be hard for both humans & dogs!❄️
🐾We see a lot of dog’s regress with their socialization skills in the winter months as there is significantly less foot traffic, we may be going out less or our dog is sensitive to the cold!
🐾Here are some creative ways to keep up your dog’s socialization skills and provide positive exposure for them in the winter!
🔹Indoor Socialization:
-Sit at the window with your dog and a handful of kibbles or cookies and watch the world go by. Reward calm choices and neutral behaviours towards stimulus such as prey, cars, people, dogs, wind, construction, etc!
-Hide a bouetooth speaker behind the couch and turn on some thunderstorm or firework noises at a low volume while your pup enjoys some treats or a lick mat!
-Teach your dog how to confidently approach new surfaces by setting up an obstacle course of broom sticks, tinfoil, and toilet paper rolls!
🔹Go for an outing:
-Hop in your car and take your pup for some parking lot exposure! Pick a busy spot and help your dog create positive associations to the world around them from right in your vehicle. You can get cozy and pop the hatch and sit with your pup on leash too!
-Go through a drive through or car wash together!
-Pull up to an outdoor rink and allow your dog observe the sights and sounds of outdoor hockey.
-Take your pup to a pet friendly store! Allow them to explore, sniff and practice some leash skills. You can also pick a spot and observe things while stationary.
🔹Join a class:
-Classes aren’t just for puppies! There are classes for scent work, leash skills, intro to dog sports, advancing your obedience, etc! A class is a great social option in the winter to allow you and your dog to bond and learn together in a new place around other people and dogs!
🔹Sleepover:
-Send your dog to a trusted family or friend for a sleepover or two! Positive new experiences away from you will help your pup build confidence and set them up for potentially care needed in the future!
🐾Remember the goal with socialization is to keep things positive, reinforce calm and neutral behaviours, build confidence and have some fun together!
Happy training! ❄️