My puppy (still with no name) has started her socialization process. I take her everywhere I can. I have taken her in the pick-up to the mail box. She goes to the barn to help or watch Drover take the chickens out and put them up at night. She goes to the field to put sheep out and watches Drover pen them for doctoring and regular checking. But the main thing I do to socialize my new pup is make sure she is part of the action everywhere I go (if it is safe for her). She even helped me move the horse recently…that ended with me scooping her up for a nice “meet the horses soft nose”!
When we have visitors, my puppy is usually picked up, petted and talked to. She is not allowed to JUMP onto me or anyone else. I discourage her by quietly pushing her down and telling her to “sit and stay”. After she sits, I pet her.
At this stage, my puppy is wanting to grab my pants leg and pull, and growl and bite. This is met with a gentle but firm discouraging push, or if I have the pink stock stick I block her efforts. Again, at this point I am not saying anything to discourage her. It is not needed yet. That will come soon and what I am doing is working nicely. She is understanding me and not being a pest (yet) ! When I do discourage with my voice, I want it to really be important, not just “no, no, no” without any meaning!