Socializing a Puppy in Quarantine

Socializing a puppy in quarantine. It sort of sounds like an impossible task, doesn't it?

Fortunately, you can still properly socialize your puppy while still abiding by social distancing regulations. We just have to make a few adjustments and get a bit creative! Feel feel free to further tweak our suggestions based on your individual location's recommendations and restrictions.

The most critical socialization period is between 8-16 weeks of age. Your puppy doesn't come with a pause button, so don't delay these important steps!

Socializing a Puppy In Quarantine: A Quick Guide

Objects

Your home is full of interesting objects that you can use to help your puppy get used to new things. Expose your puppy to what you have on this list:

- Skateboard, bicycle, scooter
- Wheelchair, walker, crutches
- Stroller
- A rolling suitcase
- Vacuum cleaner
- Blow dryer
- Wheelbarrow
- Broom (they may find this fun to chase!)
- Sprinkler
- Mirrors
- Shopping bags
- Musical children's toys

Surfaces

A few cheats for socialization to new surfaces that you may have at home:

- A bosu ball makes for learning to walk on a wobbly surface. Also check out these balance pods.
- Bubble wrap
- Air vents
- Tile floors
- Stairs

The Great Outdoors

Depending on your location, you may still be allowed to enjoy outdoor activities with your pup. Try these:

- Walk past people and other dogs at a 6' distance. This is actually what we recommend doing with or without a quarantine! You're exposing your puppy to people and other dogs, but helping them learn to walk past them without a big fuss.
  - Pro Tip: Reward your pup every time they see a dog or person! They will learn that the distraction is their cue to focus on you.
- Walk your puppy over grates in the sidewalk (provided your puppy isn't so small he'll slip into them)
- Walk your pup past garbage trucks, delivery trucks, and cars.

Sounds

Lastly, you can find all sorts of sounds that are great for socialization without having to leave your home! Try playing some of these on your computer while your puppy plays or eats:

Fireworks
Thunderstorms
City sounds
Sirens
Barking dogs

Need help with socialization and training for your puppy during quarantine? Check out our online dog training options or contact us directly.

Upcoming Classes

Puppy Level 1: September 2023 (Peachtree Corners) (1 SPOT REMAINING)

Sunday, September 10, 2023 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Spalding Animal Hospital, Peachtree Corners

Register/More Info

Family Dog 101 – September 2023 (Peachtree Corners) (FULL)

Sunday, September 10, 2023 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Spalding Animal Hospital, Peachtree Corners

Register/More Info

Praise

We had an outstanding experience with Peach on a Leash largely due to our trainer, Taylor. She was amazing. She was not only professional, well trained but kind, prompt and accomplished all the goals we had set forth. We highly recommend the company who obviously hire and maintain well trained, professional staff. Loki, our Golden Retriever LOVED her.

—Becky, client

Highly recommend Peach on a Leash! My dog, Archie, and I worked with Kailin for a few months and she was fantastic. She was very patient with Archie and took the time to show me how to replicate her training with him myself. She always provided post session notes with everything we discussed. She also brought a birthday cookie for Archie's birthday and a graduation cap when he finished his training, which made my heart so full.
The company's scheduling process for sessions is also seamless and allows for very easy re-scheduling. Thank you Peach on a Leash!

—Amanda, client

We had an excellent experience working with Peach on a Leash and would highly recommend them for your pup training needs! Our trainer Frankie was wonderful at working with us and our pup to target a few specific behaviors in a way that was positive, easy to understand and, importantly, sustainable for us to implement after our training program wrapped up.
After every session, she would follow up with the notes and exercises we discussed and worked through that are so helpful to refer back to. We are grateful for her guidance, and our pup will surely miss meeting with her!

—Catherine, client

We do the in-house training and it has been and wonderful experience so far. They have amazing training techniques, all are working very well. We had a puppy who could not go potty outside and now she is, and is learning new commands every training visit.
Amelia Cosmas is our trainer and she is superb, she makes you feel very comfortable and has lots of great information not just with training but with other things like socializing, enrichment and day to day puppy and dog care. We would recommend Peach on a Leash to anyone looking for a positive training expierience that helps you bond with your new puppy or dog and also most important wonderful trainers that you look forward to seeing and working with.

—Monica, client

We were SO sad when our 6 training sessions with our (then) 9 week old golden retriever Dolly came to an end. Courtney was so amazing. She listened, cared, and was very invested in Dolly's progress. Not only that, but she successfully handled a last minute inclusion of our 5 year old for the first session, which isn't for the faint of heart.
Courtney accomplished what we were hoping for, which was a great foundation for our puppy (but mostly for us!) to make her a great dog for life. Within one session, Dolly was rolling with 4-5 commands. By the end of our 6 weeks, we were confident we all had the tools we needed. We'll miss Courtney's visits!

—Kim, client

My puppy, Libby, just completed the puppy training program and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Our trainer, Mandy, was simply amazing. She taught us so much but was also so caring and invested in our progress. Libby and I both looked forward to each of our six sessions and I’m absolutely amazed at the progress made in such a short period of time. We miss Mandy already!
Peach on a Leash offers the best training available and has the best customer experience commitment I’ve encountered. You will not be disappointed if you trust them with your pup!

—Allie, client

I would highly recommend Peach on a Leash and Jackie Audette! I felt so comfortable having my Springer Spaniel at Jackie's house, and she kept me very involved with updates and progress reports.
Usually an in home training program would make me uneasy, but the process from start to finish was very comfortable and Jackie was reassuring to me as a
somewhat helicopter dog mom. As for the training, my dog came back with impeccable manners and her demeanor was very respectful.

—Hannah, client

“Alex is absolutely AMAZING! She is an erudite trainer, dedicated, caring and implements positive behavioral techniques that our sweet Fisher responds to almost immediately. She communicates clearly and efficiently during our sessions and follows up with a written recap and plan of action. Would recommend her in a heartbeat!”

—Ellie, client

I cannot say enough about our experience with Julia. Our dog shows more obedience and trust with me after our five sessions with her. She is knowledgeable, confident and fun! I feel better equipped to be the best doggie mom I can be because of her. A million thanks!

—Amanda, client