Service Dog Socialization Checklist

Quick Reminder: Socialization should always happen at your puppy’s pace. How your puppy feels about new experiences matters far more than simply checking items off a list. Successful socialization depends on your ability to read dog body language and understand your puppy’s signals and to take a step back if they're feeling overwhelmed. The goal is to create positive associations with new things by pairing them with what your puppy finds rewarding—whether that’s treats, toys, praise, play, or affection. Remember: your puppy decides what counts as a valuable reward.

Most service dog socialization should be passive. While it’s important for dogs to interact with things like different surfaces and environments, socialization with people, dogs, and other animals should often involve observing rather than engaging with most of the dogs and people you come across. Greeting every person or dog can lead to leash frustration and a lack of neutrality in public settings.

Remember to also expose your dog to these experiences under different conditions (daytime/nighttime, varying weather conditions)

👥 People

• Adults (various ages, races, sizes)

• Children (quiet and noisy - range of ages, but especially toddlers and young children)

• Mobility devices (wheelchairs, electric scooters, canes, walkers, rollators)

• People wearing hats, sunglasses, backpacks, or bulky coats

• Joggers, cyclists, skateboarders, powerwheels/kids cars

• Uniforms/Costumes of all types (from emergency services to blow up unicorns)

🐕 Animals

• Calm, friendly dogs

• Puppies and excitable dogs (at a safe distance)

• Cats (if safe and appropriate)

• Birds, squirrels, small and large livestock (at a distance, if relevant to environment)

🚗 Vehicles & Transportation

• Cars, trucks, motorcycles

• Buses and bus stops

• Trains and train platforms

• Elevators

• Escalators (dog should be comfortable near them/walking by them - handlers should avoid riding escalators when elevator/stairs are present. Training your dog to ride on an escalator should only be undertaken after careful consideration and with the help of an experiences trainer, as risk of injury can be significant)

• Airplanes and airport environments (if travel is expected)

• Boats or ferries (if applicable)

• Gondolas

• Golf Carts

🏙️ Environments

• Parks (urban and natural)

• Sidewalks with foot traffic

• Busy streets and intersections

• Grocery stores and shopping malls

• Coffee shops and restaurants

• Schools, libraries, offices

• Hospitals and doctor’s offices

• Public restrooms

• Fountains, pools, and other water features

• Arcades/Gaming centers

• Parades/Performers/Marching bands

📢 Sounds

• Sirens, alarms, and horns

• Construction noises (jackhammers, drills)

• Babies crying, children playing loudly

• Thunder, fireworks

• Loudspeaker announcements

• Applause and cheering

• Video games/arcade sounds

🧍‍♂️ Surfaces & Textures

• Unstable canine fitness equipment (fitbones, peanuts, teeter)

• Slippery floors (tile, linoleum)

• Shiny surfaces

• Contrasting color surfaces like black to white

• Metal grates and manhole covers

• Carpet, wood, gravel, sand

• Wet or muddy ground

• Moving surfaces (e.g., moving walkways, boats)

🛠️ Objects & Obstacles

• Automatic doors

• Revolving Doors (if you know how to train them safely!)

• Shopping carts and lumber carts

• Strollers

• Umbrellas opening/closing

• Mobility equipment: walkers, wheelchairs

• Trash cans

• Balloons

• Rolling suitcases and luggage racks

• Vacuums and cleaning equipment

• Wacky Wavy Inflatable Arms Man

• Floor to ceiling windows & second story glass railings

• Statues and Mannequins

• Flags & Blowing/moving signs

• Holiday yard decorations

• Paper and plastic bags (bagging at grocery store, trash collection)

• Drones, kites, overhead objects

🧠 Handling & Vet Prep

• Being touched all over (paws, ears, tail, mouth)

• Being picked up or gently restrained

• Wearing and walking in gear (harness, boots, vest, goggles)

• Nail trims and grooming tools

• Vet exam simulations (table, thermometer, etc.)