Link those rewards to the new stimulus, and always keep the novelty to a level that does not intimidate your dog. If you're socializing your ball-crazed dog to tall men with beards, ask such a man to play a few rounds of fetch with him. If you're socializing the dog to car rides, take him on short trips to fun new locations and try not to drive him anywhere unpleasant. (If you ''do'' have to drive him somewhere un-fun, such as to the vet's office, try to stop a ways from your ultimate destination, play a few quick games in the parking lot, and then walk to the bad place.) If you're socializing him to potentially scary equipment such as a wheelchair or walker, get an empty one, sprinkle a few treats around it, and let the dog investigate them at his own pace. Later, progress to a slowly moving wheelchair, then one with a person inside.

Link those rewards to the new stimulus, and always keep the novelty to a level that does not intimidate your dog. If you're socializing your ball-crazed dog to tall men with beards, ask such a man to play a few rounds of fetch with him. If you're socializing the dog to car rides, take him on short trips to fun new locations and try not to drive him anywhere unpleasant. (If you ''do'' have to drive him somewhere un-fun, such as to the vet's office, try to stop a ways from your ultimate destination, play a few quick games in the parking lot, and then walk to the bad place.) If you're socializing him to potentially scary equipment such as a wheelchair or walker, get an empty one, sprinkle a few treats around it, and let the dog investigate them at his own pace. Later, progress to a slowly moving wheelchair, then one with a person inside.