Online Resource List: Companion to “Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It”
If you are here, it is because you purchased a copy of our book, Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It. We created this list for you so you would have the resources mentioned in the book all in one place. We’ve also added a few more of our favorites.
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Important Resource Links for You and Your Puppy
Chapter 1
Socialization: Things to Know Before You Get Started
Congratulations on your new puppy. We know it seems like there is a lot to know. And, to a degree, there is. You just brought a baby of an entirely different species into your home! Don’t worry. You’re already off to a brilliant start by learning about and socializing your puppy. The links below are self-explanatory.
- Find a dog trainer through these organizations:
- The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Puppy Socialization
- American Animal Hospital Association (AHAA) Guidelines on Age and Behavior
- American Kennel Club Article Reviews Professional Categories Listed in the Book
- Socialization Checklist from Dr. Sophia Yin
- Socialization Checklist from the Pet Professional Guild
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control
- The Puppy Culture Program
Chapter 2
Pairing and Priorities
You learned all about pairing and defining your priorities in chapter 2. “Socialization is not simply about exposure, rather it is about making exposure fun and positive. This takes planning on your part. Rather than just a neutral experience, make new experiences positive by incorporating treats.” – “Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog,” Kenneth Martin, DVM, DACVB & Debbie Martin, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CPDT-KA, KPA CTP Let’s get started with that pairing!
- Control Unleashed – Creating a Focused and Confident Dog by Leslie McDevitt
- Control Unleashed – The Puppy Program by Leslie McDevitt – one of our favorite resources for new puppy owners. This book teaches you about teaching behaviors and your puppy’s behavioral wellness, too.
- Control Unleashed – Reactive to Relaxed by Leslie McDevitt
- Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog by Martin & Martin
Chapter 3
How Puppies Learn and How Socialization Fits In
- Control Unleashed – The Puppy Program by Leslie McDevitt
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior – Position Statements on Dominance Theory, Humane Dog Training (formerly on punishment), Puppy Socialization, Positive Veterinary Visits, How to Choose a Trainer, and more
- Clicker Training Resources
- Clicker Training and Training Your Own Puppy – Training Levels Steps to Success by Sue Ailsby
- Puppy Start Right – Foundation Training for the Companion Dog by Martin and Martin
- Click for Joy by Melissa Alexander
- Level Up Your Dog Training by Natalie Bridger Watson
- Articles on Getting Started with Clicker Training by Karen Pryor Academy
- All things clicker training at ClickerTraining.com
- Great books at Dogwise
Chapter 4
Understanding Dog Body Language
- The Body Language of Fear in Dogs by Dr. Sophia Yin
- How to Greet a Dog and What to Avoid by Dr. Sophia Yin
- The Close Talker on Seinfeld (video)
Chapter 5
Socialization: Starting at Home
- Checklist: Puppy Socialization by Dr. Sophia Yin
- The Puppy Culture Program by Jane Killion
- Marge Demonstrates Positive Interrupter
- Using Non-Intrusive Body Language
- Success Stations
- Family Paws Parent Education
- Doggone Safe
- Living with Kids and Dogs by Colleen Pelar
- How Kids Should and Should Not Interact with Kids by Dr. Sophia Yin (two separate posters)
- Boys Ages 5-9 Years Bitten the Most
- Noise Phobias in Dogs Are Medical Emergencies
- Feed Puppies in Their Crates – Video by Doggone Crazy
- Supplies Checklist for Home and Away from Home (4″ x 6″)
- Supplies Checklist for Home and Away from Home (8.5″ x 11″)
- Keep Puppies Busy for Brushing, Bathing, Grooming with LickiMats, Snuffle Mats (search for “snuffle mats” and Kongs
Chapter 6
Socialization Away From Home
- The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Puppy Socialization
- Squeeze Food Tubes: What They Are and How to Use Them
- Whole Dog Journal Review of Harnesses
- Dog Likes Leaf Blower
- The Centers for Disease Control on COVID-19 and Pets
- Fear Free Pets – a resource for owners to find veterinarians and other animal care professionals who practice a Fear Free philosophy when caring for your pet
- The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Puppy Socialization
- Supplies Checklist for Home and Away from Home (4″ x 6″)
- Supplies Checklist for Home and Away from Home (8.5″ x 11″)
Chapter 7
Fear and Special Challenges
- Control Unleashed – The Puppy Program by Leslie McDevitt
- Article from veterinary behaviorist Dr. Wailani Sung – Extreme Fear and Anxiety in Dogs
- Care For Reactive Dogs
- Debbie Jacobs, CPDT-KA Fearful Dogs Web Site
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs – Next-Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices – by Malena DeMartini-Price
Chapter 8
What’s Next?
Find a Professional
- The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
- The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
- Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists
- The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- The Karen Pryor Academy
- The Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
The Next Level
Our Favorite Training Books
- Control Unleashed: The Puppy Program by Leslie McDevitt
- Training Levels: Steps to Success by Sue Ailsby
- Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household by Karen London, Ph.D. and Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.
- Level Up Your Dog Training by Natalie Bridger Watson
- Puppy Start Right – Foundation Training for the Companion Dog by Kenneth Martin, DVM, DACVB & Debbie Martin, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
- When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs by Jane Killion
- Plenty in Life is Free by Kathy Sdao
- Books by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. and Karen London, Ph.D
- Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs (Training Great Dogs) by Laura VanArendonk Baugh