SOCIALIZE EARLY, SOCIALIZE OFTEN
Properly socializing your pup is the most important thing you can do during the first few months of his life. Why?
Reason #1: A well-socialized dog can pay attention to you when you give him a command in the presence of other people or dogs; an under-socialized one is too distracted by (or fearful of) the people and dogs to even hear you. Regular socialization is therefore the most effective long-term obedience training tool, more so than any class, video, or book — even this one!
Reason #2: Early socialization significantly reduces the possibility of a dog bite lawsuit in your future. It’s hard to imagine that the cute little puppy you just brought home could cause that kind of a problem, but it is normal for 1-2 year old dogs to become suspicious and even fearful of things they have not experienced regularly and positively throughout their puppyhood. Most dog bites are due to fear. Although there may be some clues to the future personality of your dog in adulthood, you simply cannot predict it based on his trusting, happy-go-lucky nature in puppyhood.
Your pup needs to experience many new situations, people and other pups while he is very young. Don’t force him into a situation he’s shy about; let him approach people, children, and other dogs at his own pace. Ignore (don’t coddle) shy responses; encourage (praise) curiosity and confident behavior.
Your pup’s most impressionable period is from 3 weeks to 20 weeks of age but socialization should continue throughout his adolescent months and adult years as well.
How to socialize your pup to humans
Just because your puppy loves people now doesn’t mean he always will. It is natural and normal for trusting puppies to grow up into skeptical (or even suspicious and fearful) adult dogs. Your job is to counter this natural evolution by creating happy associations with humans, in your puppy’s mind.
· Even before his vaccines are completed, you can easily invite friends and relatives, particularly young children, to your house often. Keep a bowl of puppy food by the door so your visitors can treat him when they arrive. Stand at a mall entrance holding your pup in your arms while you let passers-by say hello and give him a treat.
· Once your veterinarian says it’s OK, take your puppy to places where there are lots of people and children — schools, shopping centers, nursing homes — and take walks with him at least twice daily in varying neighborhoods or parks. Keep in mind that a pup well-socialized to 6 year olds is not necessarily well-socialized to 2-year olds; make an effort to have him meet a very wide variety of children and adults.
Never leave a baby or toddler alone with a puppy or dog. However, your pup should meet many babies and toddlers, so an adult should treat/praise the pup when holding or standing next to a small child. Supervise older children who may not understand the need for keeping fingers out of puppies' eyes or refraining from pulling painfully on their tails.
Dog/dog socialization: Playing with your neighbor’s dog is not enough
If you intend for your puppy to play well with other dogs during his adulthood, he must play with other healthy friendly puppies NOW. Many puppy owners believe that their pup’s happy-go-lucky attitude with other dogs will continue indefinitely. Don’t be fooled. As under-socialized puppies reach the 1– and 2-year old mark, their youthful trust often changes to fear or suspicion of other dogs. The only way to prevent problems with other canines in the future is to proactively socialize your pup during his puppyhood.
Playing with your neighbor’s dog (or other dogs in your own household) is not enough. Your puppy should meet and play off-leash with many different puppies and friendly adult dogs for true socialization to occur.
So, even before his vaccines are complete, have a “puppy party” at your home with other puppies who are current on their vaccines, particularly Distemper/Parvo. (Current means a pup under 5 months has received a Distemper/Parvo vaccine in the last 4 weeks).
Once your veterinarian gives the OK, make a real effort to get your pup out and about as frequently as possible. Bring him to the local park. Sign up for a puppy kindergarten class and/or socialization group. Bring him to your local pet store. And look for a reputable dog daycare for fun, intensive, supervised dog socialization and vigorous exercise.
|
With proper management, time and experience, even a fearfully aggressive dog like Tootie can be socialized.
Watch my 8 minute video below (scroll down to left side of this page to view the short Before & After version).
|
|
