How to socialize in the middle of winter?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

First, we live a very quiet lifestyle in the country. Our kids are grown (mostly as I still have an 18yr old at home for the time being).
It can get downright yucky out and even though I'm not fond of the frigid temps, I've taken Gracie on short walks around the property, but our nearest neighbors are at least 1/4 mile and we don't really know them. Well we do know one set as they are family, but not others. We aren't very social are we? Lol
We're not big on social engagements either and funny enough neither our are friends. ;) I try to casually invite people over to see the puppy and nobody takes me up on it. I'm not sure people even just stop by just because anymore.

Also, the people who have met Gracie always do something that annoys me - lets her bite their hands (oh that's what puppies are supposed to do!) and rough houses or just throws a treat to her without having her work for it. Or baby her ... The list goes on and the number of people is less than a handful. Maybe I'm too picky.

Any suggestions? She doesn't have all of her vaccinations yet.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We socialized Enzo by taking her to pet friendly stores. Pet stores, Home Depot , Lowes, etc. Her feet never did touch the ground. You will find people will fight over getting the chance to meet your pup. You will learn to " control" the meetings. ...IE: I never let people pet Enzo until she is seated and behaving . If she jumps, I ask them to wait until she settles. Same with treats. I carry a pocketful for people to give to her. Little kids love it! Again, she must take it gentley and always sit, or lie down or offer a paw. Whatever the trick of the week is.
Not only will your pup be socialized, but become use to the mirage of noises that comes along with all these stores. Enzo never even flinches at the sight/ sound of a fork lift.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I forgot to mention that I rarely leave the house if I can avoid it especially in the winter. ;) I could be classified as a hibernating bear in the winter.
But, I will try to do more trips just for Ms. Gracie. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

Me too.  It gets below 30 degrees and my leg muscles lock up.  Maybe in till spring (except Dr. visits).

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

Kate, 9 mo, is overly friendly when people come in our house.  She was better when she was younger but for the last month she is exuberant.  I had a nurse come over for our insurance (kind of a Medicare form of well baby check up).  I was trying to bribe Kate and keep her attention.  Next time I expect someone I am going to put her on a leash and make her mind better.  I have never taught "place"to a dog but I am thinking she should be the first.  I learned early with horses you have to train them early because later is much more difficult.  Good luck to both of us.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

What do you mean by teaching her "place"?

My other dog is a Schnoodle and was always very hyper to see people. Not knowing any better before, I let him jump up to see them. Well, most people would also call him up. Like "come on" and tap up near their chest. Bad me. Well that's all cute when they are little and granted he didn't grow very big, but there are people who don't enjoy it and then say he's a dumb dog. Oh and some of the people that thought it was cute now get irritated that he does it every time he sees them.
I also have one friend who when she comes over always says : "puppies" very exuberantly as he's dancing around her (as well as my other dog who is now gone). Anyway, the other day when she came over I told her that if she just ignored them and didn't call attention to them they would not jump at her and that basically she instigates it. I don't think she believed me. This was before Gracie, so I'm definitely going to set more ground rules. She's already a big pup and I'm sure nobody wants a big dog jumping on them.
I do find that other people's energy accounts for the dog's energy. But, I want to avoid that this time around and teach Gracie the right thing for the start.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

We had a golden retriever and I would try to get out of the car with the t

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

You could try seeing if any local training schools have puppy socials. Ours hosted puppy socials every Saturday morning for puppies under 16 weeks (so none of them had shots), Saturday afternoon for 16 weeks-6 months, and Sunday's for 6 months+. The puppy school classes are great for socialization as well.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Ok. Thanks. I have been looking up puppy training - but there's nothing local (as in 20 mile radius) I will have to go outside of the local area. I'm going to check with this one grooming place that offers doggy daycare to see if they offer any puppy socialization options as well.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know how valid this will be without the actual smells and visuals, but you could download sounds - trains, traffic, school children, etc and play those things simply for the noise value.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

You talked about noise below.  Kate was raised in a kennel so sounds on the tv, phone washer or dryer made her bark.  Or clock chimes at the hour and half hour and we ignore it.  I don't even hear it most of the time.  That took her awhile to get used to.  When she heard or saw you get up she barked.  She's a lot better now.  She used to go greet my husband when he went to work but now he goes and sees her.