How the COVID Lockdowns Affected Dog Socialisation—And What You Can Do Now (Impact of COVID-19 on dogs)

If you’ve found yourself wondering why your dog reacts nervously to strangers, barks at other dogs on walks, or seems generally unsure in new situations, you’re not alone. One of the biggest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic—outside of the human world—has been the developmental gap created in dogs due to missed socialisation opportunities. For many pups raised during lockdown, life didn’t include bustling parks, playdates, or guests visiting the house.

In this post, we’re diving into the impact of COVID-19 on dogs & socialisation and what it means for behaviour now that the world is open again. We’ll also share practical, positive reinforcement-based solutions you can start using today—including how to work with marker training and clicker tools—to help your dog regain confidence, learn to navigate the world, and enjoy being a dog again.

What Is Socialisation, and Why Does It Matter?

Socialisation isn’t just about dogs playing together. It’s about exposing your dog—especially during their critical early development stages—to a wide variety of people, sights, sounds, environments, and experiences in a safe and positive way.

A well-socialised dog is generally more adaptable, confident, and calm in unfamiliar situations. They’re less likely to develop fear-based behaviours or reactivity. But when socialisation doesn’t happen during those formative windows (typically between 3 and 14 weeks for puppies), it can lead to long-term behavioural issues that require patience and intentional work to overcome.

The COVID Gap: What Went Wrong & the impact of COVID-19 on dogs?

During the height of the pandemic, many people welcomed new puppies into their homes—some for the first time ever. It made sense. We were all home, had more time, and needed the comfort of companionship.

But restrictions meant:

• No puppy classes

• Fewer walks or outings

• Limited exposure to other dogs

• Very few (if any) new humans coming into the home

• General quietness in the world: less traffic, noise, activity

Even adult dogs adopted during this time missed out on exposure to normal life. That crucial period where a dog learns “this is what life looks like” was, for a while, totally abnormal.

Behavioural Issues We’re Seeing Now

Here are some common behaviours that may have been shaped or worsened by pandemic-era socialisation gaps:

1.Fear of Strangers

Dogs may bark, cower, or retreat when someone new enters their space, simply because they weren’t exposed to guests or varied human interactions during lockdowns.

2.Reactivity to Other Dogs

Without regular exposure to other dogs, some pups developed defensive or excited reactions when seeing dogs on walks. This can look like lunging, barking, or whining.

3.Separation Anxiety

For dogs who spent their formative time with their humans 24/7, the return to office life has triggered distress when left alone—even for short periods.

4.Noise Sensitivity

The quietness of lockdown may have left some dogs hypersensitive to everyday sounds like traffic, construction, or crowds.

5.General Anxiety in Public Settings

From cafés to busy streets, dogs who didn’t grow up around these environments may struggle now with overstimulation or nervousness.

So What Can You Do?

If this is sounding a little familiar, the good news is: it’s not too late. Dogs are adaptable. With consistent, positive exposure and the right training approach, you can help your dog learn to navigate the world with more ease.

Below are some evidence-based strategies to help “re-socialise” your dog using positive reinforcement and marker/clicker training.

Step 1: Understand the Power of Positive Reinforcement

Before diving into the tools, let’s get clear on what we mean.

Positive reinforcement means rewarding your dog for behaviours you want to see more of. The key here is consistency, timing, and using rewards your dog truly values—whether that’s treats, play, or praise.

This approach builds trust. It tells your dog: “That thing you just did? Great choice. Here’s something good for it.” Over time, this creates new associations with previously scary or overstimulating experiences.

Step 2: Use a Marker or Clicker to Build Clarity

A marker is simply a sound or word you consistently use to tell your dog they did the right thing. It can be a clicker (a small device that makes a distinct “click” sound) or a verbal cue like “yes!”

Here’s how it works:

1. Dog sees another dog.

2. Your dog looks at you instead of barking—click!

3. You immediately give a treat.

Over time, your dog learns:

• Seeing another dog = opportunity to earn a reward.

• Looking at you calmly is the path to good stuff.

This isn’t just about obedience—it’s about changing emotional responses. You’re helping your dog feel good about that situation, not just behave better in it.

Step 3: Start a Gradual Desensitisation and Counter-Conditioning Plan

This is especially helpful for dogs who are anxious or reactive.

Here’s a basic roadmap:

1. Identify the Trigger: What exactly sets your dog off? Other dogs? People with hats? Kids running?

2. Find the Threshold: At what distance can your dog notice the trigger but remain calm?

3. Pair the Trigger with Rewards: Every time your dog sees the trigger and stays under threshold, click and treat. The goal is to build positive associations.

4. Gradually Decrease Distance: Over days or weeks (go at your dog’s pace), slowly work closer to the trigger, always reinforcing calm behaviour.

👉 Pro Tip: Use high-value treats here. This isn’t the time for dry kibble. Think boiled chicken, cheese, or liver treats—whatever lights your dog up.

Step 4: Make “Look At That” a Game

For dogs who are hyper-alert or reactive, turning triggers into a game can help shift their focus.

How to teach “Look at That” (LAT):

1. When your dog spots a trigger (e.g., another dog), mark with a click or “yes.”

2. Immediately reward.

3. You’re not asking them to look away yet—just acknowledging that noticing the trigger = reward time.

4. Over time, you can shape this into looking at you after spotting the trigger.

This helps reduce the emotional charge around the trigger. It’s a game of spotting and earning—not stressing.

Step 5: Work on Building Neutral Exposure

Not everything needs to be a training session. Sometimes your dog just needs to be around things and realise: nothing bad happens here.

• Sit at a distance from a playground or a busy café and just feed treats when your dog observes calmly.

• Walk near a park but don’t go in—just let your dog sniff and process.

• Invite calm, dog-savvy friends over for short visits.

The goal is not to force interactions, but to provide safe exposure. Let your dog take the lead in how close or involved they want to get.

Step 6: Don’t Forget Decompression

While it’s tempting to “fix” everything quickly, dogs need downtime just like we do.

Too much stimulation, even in training, can make things worse. Build in:

• Sniff walks (let your dog explore at their pace)

• Enrichment activities (like puzzle feeders or lick mats)

• Calm home routines

A regulated nervous system learns better. If your dog is constantly anxious, they’re not in a headspace to absorb new information.

Step 7: Get Support if You Need It

If your dog’s behaviour feels beyond your skill level, it’s okay to get help. A qualified trainer who uses force-free, reward-based methods can offer guidance tailored to your dog’s history and temperament. Contact us if you would like more advice or to book a session, we do remote/virtual training as well as in person training.

Avoid trainers who rely on punishment, prong collars, or dominance-based theories—these can worsen anxiety and damage your bond.

Recap: Practical Solutions for Post-COVID Dog Socialisation

Let’s summarise:

✅ Use positive reinforcement to build trust and confidence

✅ Introduce a marker or clicker for clear communication

✅ Implement desensitisation and counter-conditioning for specific triggers

✅ Try “Look at That” games to reframe reactions

✅ Provide neutral exposure in low-pressure settings

✅ Prioritise decompression and enrichment

✅ Seek support from a qualified positive trainer if needed

Final Thoughts

Your dog isn’t broken. They’re just a product of the world they were raised in—and that world, for a time, was anything but normal. What matters now is how we move forward. With consistency, patience, and a solid training approach rooted in understanding, you can help your dog feel safer, more confident, and ready to face the world.

And the best part? Every moment you spend working together builds your relationship. You’re not just training—you’re communicating, learning, and growing as a team.

If you’re looking for help getting started with clicker training or need personalised advice on your dog’s socialisation journey, get in touch. We’re here to guide you and your dog with real-world, reward-based strategies that actually work.