Safely Socializing Your Goldendoodle Puppy

You brought home that adorable goldendoodle puppy from a responsible and ethical goldendoodle breeder. You have your home set up and a routine ready to help that puppy thrive, and even have puppy training in full effect. It is an exciting chapter in your life, and puppyhood is filled with snuggles, silly antics, and a whole lot of learning. Socializing your puppy early and safely, may I add, lays the foundation for a confident and happy dog for years to come. Your puppy's brain is like a sponge. It's soaking up experiences and forming opinions about the world. We know puppies' immune systems are still vulnerable until he/she is fully vaccinated, but you can still take your puppy out into the world safely. Below are a few ways to socialize your Goldendoodle puppy the smart and gentle way.

Puppy Meet & Greet

A couple of days after your Goldendoodle puppy has settled into your home, invite a few friends over. Have them meet new people of different ages. Let your puppy explore and sniff the new scents and see the new faces. This helps build confidence in a controlled setting.

Field Trips

Have a few weekend errands to run, like Home Depot or the farmers market? Take your puppy with you in your arms or a stroller. It's a perfect way to let them hear new noises, see people, and take in new scents. Don't forget Target drive-ups and Starbucks count as field trips, too!

Enroll in a Puppy Kindergarten Class

A well-run puppy class offers a golden opportunity for socializing in a safe and supervised setting. Your Goldendoodle can learn manners and play skills from other pups, and you'll get a few training tricks up your sleeve too.