Puppy Socialization 2.0
One of our favorite puppy-raising resources just got updated!
Thrilled best describes how I felt after learning the Ultimate Puppy’s authors were publishing a revised and updated version of their puppy socialization toolkit.
The original Ultimate Puppy Toolkit was my go-to guide while raising my own puppy, Bludger, back in 2007, and it has remained on my recommended reading list for pet parents ever since.
In Puppy Socialization 2.0, authors Sydney Bleicher and Peggy van Dam offer a kind and considerate approach to raising a socially healthy dog. This guide for puppy parents blends scientific understanding with practical, easy-to-follow advice and manages to cover puppy socialization both comprehensively AND succinctly.
Puppy Socialization 2.0 is divided into several short sections, covering topics such as guidelines for successful socialization, dog body language, and how to get out of sticky situations. Most sections have a helpful space set aside so you can keep notes and observations about your own puppy.
Peggy and Sydney graciously sent me a review copy—I loved this entire book, but here are some of my favorite sections:
Puppy Socialization Foundations
Here the authors cover factors that influence behavior and emphasize the importance of paying attention to your puppy’s body language and adjusting your approach based on that information. They also offer helpful tips on adopting a puppy-friendly approach in everything you do, from gear selection to how you teach new skills.
Canine Body Language
This section includes a simple body language chart divided into green (go), yellow (caution), and red (stop) categories, which will help you identify how your puppy is feeling and offers guidance on how to proceed. It also includes a helpful quiz at the end which allows you to practice your skills.
Even if you’ve had dogs all your life, you can always improve your canine body language reading skills.
The Best Games to Use when Socializing
This section is filled with simple step-by-step instructions to teach your puppy many important life skills. I love that they include flight training, adorably named “Skedaddle” in this text. Flight training is teaching your dog to quickly and confidently move away from a source of distress—an important skill for dogs of any age. Introducing it as a puppy socialization game is genius.
Guidelines for Successful Puppy Socialization
The authors highlight so many important points here, including do’s and don’t for socialization:
Do pay attention to your puppy’s body language; sometimes distance may be needed to help them feel safe
Don’t force your puppy to do something they seem uncomfortable with
It also includes a quick guide on how to respond to various situations, such as when your puppy is very excited and when they appear uncertain or conflicted.
How to Get Out of Sticky Situations
This section is an absolute gem and worth the purchase price all on its own. The authors present solutions to many common problems that will help you set your puppy up for success while kindly and considerately navigating the world with them.
Topics that don’t get much attention elsewhere have a place in this guide
Ever wondered how to navigate highrise living with a puppy? How to best manage child-puppy introductions? Not sure if group puppy classes are the right fit for your puppy? Puppy Socialization 2.0 has you covered, with sections devoted to each of these topics.
This is a must have guide
Whether you're planning to get a puppy, currently raising one, or work as a trainer, behavior consultant, or veterinarian, Puppy Socialization 2.0 deserves a spot on your reading list. To find out more, purchase your own copy, or check out their other many excellent resources, visit ultimatepuppy.com.
This is my honest and enthusiastic opinion. While I received a free copy of this guide for review, I’ve received no further renumeration from the authors.
Insightful Animals is operated by me, Kelly C. Ballantyne, DVM, DACVB. I’m a vet behaviorist, nature fanatic, bird artist, wife, and mom to two hilarious Ragdoll cats, Pipit and Towhee. In my day-to-day, I consult directly with pet parents and veterinarians on a range of behavior problems in dogs and cats.
As the co-author of Puppy Socialization 2.0 we’d like to thank Dr. Ballantyne for this review. It does a wonderful job explaining why this book can really aid new puppy parents and provide the basics to any R+ puppy class. Again, many thanks Kelly.