How to Introduce a Puppy to New Places

As with introducing your puppy to new and different people, you'll want to consider exposing him to new and different places.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• puppy
• places
• patience

1. Expose your pup to as many different places as possible. This is especially important if you want to travel with your dog. Stairways, escalators, elevators are all things that he might encounter in a hotel, for example. Consider taking your pup on walks through the woods. Introduce him to small logs, or small piles of rubble he can climb over.
   
   Take him to an empty playground when he's a bit older and more agile. Have him climb the playground stairs if they're not too high for him.
   
   Take him to the coffee shop, the train station, the bus stop, the pet store and the veterinarian's office. Offer treats and lots of praise every time he encounters a new situation. At the veterinarian's office, have the vet or receptionist offer treats. Have him step on the scales and give him a treat for being so brave!

2. Consider your puppy. If your puppy is unsure about a particular place, offer lots of treats and praise. As with introducing people to your nervous pup, don't ever force him to enter a building or an area he is uncomfortable with. Take your time, be patient, offer lots of encouragement and when he shows the slightest inclination to toward the proper behavior, reward and praise.

3. 
   My GSD at Great Sand Dunes NP

   Consider surfaces. As humans, we don't think twice when walking from a concrete sidewalk onto a tile floor. Dogs, however, might have trouble with surfaces they've never encountered. In order to make your puppy 'surface sure' be sure to expose him to as many different surfaces as possible; tile, marble, concrete. Things to consider; tile and marble surfaces can be slick, especially if your puppy has wet paws, so take it slow. Things like concrete, asphalt and sand get very hot in the summer months. Try to limit your puppy's exposure to very hot surfaces or consider doggy boots to protect his sensitive pads.

4. Be diligent. Experiencing new and interesting places should be an ongoing process for your puppy. Take him out on a regular basis. Just like people, puppies go through developmental phases. A building, place, or surface he had no problems with at eight weeks of age might completely unsettle him later on.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember: If your puppy is tired, hungry or cranky, forego introducing anything new until he is rested, fed and happy!
• Make sure your puppy will be accepted in any buildings you want to enter.

Resources

• Places that Accept Well-Behaved Dogs

[sunshine11219]

on 3/19/2009 I will pass this alone to my sister , she has a new puppy

[FrazzledNanny]

on 3/15/2009 Great tips for introducing your puppy to new places. Thanks for the helpful article. 5*

[Devero]

on 12/13/2008 Good tips.