Building confidence is central to puppy socialization. Confident puppies are willing to approach new people or situations, gather information and experience, and recover after uncertainty. These skills are foundational for later therapy dog work, where canines must stay regulated and responsive in busy, unfamiliar environments.

Introduce your puppy to new environments, people, and everyday sounds in ways that feel safe and rewarding. Pair each new encounter with treats, play, and praise so your puppy learns to expect good things when facing novelty. Even ordinary activities, such as watching a vacuum run, hearing a doorbell, or meeting a friendly neighbor, can become confidence-building opportunities when the pace is gentle and the experience stays positive. The goal is exposure that feels manageable, predictable, and interesting to your puppy.

Allow your young puppy to explore and investigate at their own pace. Curiosity is a natural part of development, and giving them time to examine new smells, sounds, and sights helps them build independence. Daily walks that allow plenty of sniffing time are especially helpful; sniffing is your puppy’s way of “reading the newspaper,” to become familiar with the neighborhood.

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