In order to ensure your new family member will be happy, mentally healthy, and able to adjust easily to his/her new family and environment, we carefully socialize our babies using the rules of sevens. Following this program helps the babies readily adjust to changes in their lives, and makes them calmer in the face of these changes.

THE RULES OF SEVENS:
By the time a puppy is 7 weeks old (end of seven weeks) it should have:

1. WALKED ON 7 different surfaces: Carpet, Concrete, Wood, Vinyl, Grass, Dirt, Gravel, Wood Chips, Newspaper, Etc.

2.. PLAYED WITH 7 different types of objects: Big Balls, Small Balls, Soft Fabric Toys, Fuzzy Balls, Squeaky Toys, Metal Items, Wooden Items, Paper/Cardboard Items, Milk/Soda Jugs, Etc.

3.. BEEN IN 7 different locations: Front Yard, Back Yard, Basement, Kitchen, Car, Garage, Laundry Room, Bathroom, Crate, Kennel, Etc.

4.. BEEN EXPOSED to 7 challenges: Climbed a box, Climbed off a box, Go thru a tunnel, Climbed up steps, Climbed down steps, Climbed over obstacles, Played hide & seek, Go in & out doorway with a step, Etc.

5.. EATEN FROM 7 different containers: Metal, Plastic, Cardboard, Paper, China, Pie Plate, Frying pan, Etc.

6.. EATEN IN 7 different locations: Crate, Yard, Kitchen, Basement, Laundry room, Bathroom, X-pen, Etc.

7.. MET AND PLAYED WITH 7 new people: including children & the elderly

Unfortunately, I don't know the author of the above article as it was circulating via email, but I'd love to credit them here if I am notified! This is the most effective socialization technique we've ever used!!