Socialize Your Dog!

Socializing Your Puppy!

Socialize, Socialize, Socialize!!!!

START SOCIALIZING YOUR PUPPYÂ FROM DAYÂ ONE

PUPPY socialization (first six months) has the most dramatic effect on how a dog turns out.

And here’s something interesting….the most critical period in a dog’s life, psychologically, is the period from 7 weeks old to 16 weeks old.

Now, you wouldn’t think those 9 weeks could POSSIBLY be THATÂ important, but they ARE.

Puppies should be introduced to as many new people, new environments, new sights and smells as well as otherÂ animals as possible during this critical period.Â Make sure to make it a fun and enjoyable experience. Don’t rush your puppy or dog into situations that they’re clearly not ready for. Pay attention to your puppiesÂ stressÂ cues. Baby steps areÂ sometimes necessary. For example try introducingÂ your puppyÂ to one new dogÂ beforeÂ a whole group of newÂ dogs..work them up to meeting larger groups of dogs.

Never force your pup to approach anyone or anything, let her explore on her own terms, quietly praising and encouraging her when she boldly approaches by herself.Â When your puppy seems uncertain quietlyÂ take her away from the thing that is causing her stress until you have a happy puppy again.Then encourage her to approach at her own rate again.

TheÂ No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact Rule

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Cesar Milan recommends theÂ No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact rule when meeting new dogs or puppies. Which means NOÂ attention until your puppy is calm. NOT EVEN EYE CONTACT.

Do not allow your puppyÂ to jump up on or attackÂ peopleÂ with kisses… as cute as it may be as puppies it won’t be as cute when your puppy isÂ an adult..Â OnceÂ your puppy or dog is calm then ask your friend to kneel down to the side of your puppyÂ and offer them a toy or aÂ treat. This is the best approach for both involved it is a non-threatening way to approachÂ the shyerÂ puppy and also teaches the more boisterous puppyÂ to calmly approach new people… Not just run and jump on them! Haha!

The more people and dogs your puppy has experience with the better. Socialization is a very lengthy (life-long) desensitization process of exposing your dog to as many new sounds, sights, and situations as possible.Â You want yourÂ dog to view newÂ things as normal, and non-threatening, and to have them approach new situations calmly and without out being overly excited or shy.

The Purpose of Socialization:

The ultimate goal of socialization is to be able to take your dog any place you goÂ and behaveÂ appropriatelyÂ in allÂ new situations, and to have them be able toÂ stay calm, relaxed and confident.

Over-excitement, anxiety, fear and hyperactivity are all unwanted reactions in a properly socialized dog.

TheÂ desensitization process does not have an ending, it is something that shouldÂ be continued throughout your dogs whole life.

Before that scares you, I’d like you to note that it really is not as hard, or time-consuming as one might think. This is an essential part of responsible dog ownership andÂ every dog should be socialized extensively.

The Importance of Socializing Your Dog:

A well socialized dog can be taken everywhere (allowable by law/regulations). Under-socialized dogs can be hazards in more ways than just knocking somebody down through over-exuberance. A poorly socialized dog can beÂ an unpredictable animal when placed in a new, potentially frightening situation. Under-socialized dogsÂ may jump up, knock kids over, theyÂ mayÂ run away, bark, bite and act like little tazmanian devils or on the opposite side of the spectrum hide in the corner afraid..both are bad and both are avoidable with early socialization.

Timid Puppies

Some dogs are just born naturally submissive and shyer then their littermatesÂ and that is just their personality and it is NOT a bad thing. Early socialization can help them gain confidence.Personally as a breeder I will have one puppy per litter that is shyer then the others. This puppy is not raised any differently then the other puppies. It is just a natural born personality trait. So no… not every shy dog is abused. Don’t treat them like victims. Do what you can to give them more confidence and successes in their lives just like you would with a shy child.

A poorly socialized dog reflects badly on dog owners everywhere, and due to just such an image, many dog owners are penalized by restrictive laws and limits.Â One bad owner WILL spoil the whole bunch.

Vaccinations and Disease Risk During Early Socialization

Most young puppies arenâ€™t fully protected against the diseases we vaccinated them for until theyâ€™ve had all of their puppyÂ shots. This is mainly because the antibodies they get from their mother can interfere with the ability of the vaccine to have its full effect.

Even though puppiesâ€™ immune systems are still developing during their first 3Â months, if we WAITÂ until ourÂ puppy has hadÂ allÂ it’sÂ shots before attempting to socialize them with strangers and new places out of fear of sickness… then we will miss out onÂ THE MOST IMPORTANT STAGE TO DO IT!

The good news is that if you take some commonsense precautions while socializing your puppy, the risk of infection is quite small compared to the much larger risk of your puppy developing serious behavior problems later in life if we decide to wait.

The experts now agree that the risk of a puppy being given up or later euthanized for behavior problems is so huge that young puppiesÂ mustÂ be socialized before they are done with their vaccinations.

The recommendation is to socialize puppies as safely as possible by exposing the puppy to people, places and other animals while avoidingÂ unnecessary risks.

SO BASICALLY… TAKE YOUR PUPPYÂ TO AS MANYÂ NEW PLACES AS POSSIBLE…. JUST DON’T TAKE THEM TO HEAVY DOG TRAFFIC AREASÂ LIKEÂ REST STOPS, DOG PARKS, CAMPING GROUNDS, VETS OFFICES WHILE OUT OF THEIRÂ CRATE AND DOG FRIENDLY STORES LIKEÂ HOME DEPOT,Â PET SMARTÂ AND PETCO.

ONCE FULLY VACCINATED…I RECOMMEND YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE ABOVE!

DON’T HIDE THEM AWAY IN YOUR HOUSE UNTIL THEIR DONE WITH THEIR VACCINESÂ ORÂ YOU’LL MISS OUT ON THE MOST IMPORTANT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIALIZATION.

Safe Ways to Safely Socialize a Puppy Who Is Not Fully Vaccinated

Drive to a busy mall and hang out with your pup on a mat at the entrance. Strangers will flock to you because they want to pet your puppy and they’ll willingly feed him the treats that you’ve brought with you.
Host a puppy party! Invite friends and family over, play some music, toss some streamers, and pass your pup around.
Bring your puppy to indoor Scouts meetings. Supervise the children interacting with him to make sure heâ€™s not frightened by them and they’re being gentle.
Take your pup on car rides through different neighborhoods, drive-thrus, car washes, and out into the country where heâ€™ll see and smell a variety of farm animals.
Arrange play sessions with other puppies and adult dogs who you know are healthy and friendly.
If your puppy is small enough, carry him around town and let strangers pet him and give him treats.

Take your new puppyÂ everywhere you can!!

Arm yourself with treats, and off you go. Take your dog out to walk the streets, let him experience loud cars driving by (safely on leash, of course), people walking past, and the noises of everyday life.

Praise and reward any wanted reaction (such as sniffing, walking calmly, sitting politely) and ignore all undesirable reactions (jumping, leash pulling, barking, showing fear), while redirecting attention to yourself, and have him focus on something different.

TheÂ ultimate goal of socialization is toÂ have a dog that you canÂ take into any awkward, noisy, or crowded area, and he will stillÂ behave,Â be calm, andÂ relaxed.

This will not happen over night. It may take years actually before your dogÂ acts perfect in every situation that youÂ bring him into but hopefullyÂ .. youÂ will have years to practice.

Our dogs are our best friends and we feel they should be welcome everywhere we go. But if your dog acts like a maniac then people will cringe when they see him coming.

By continuing socialization throughout your dogs life he will gain confidence, and you will feel confident when leading your dog into any new situation because you can trust that he will maintain his wits and stay calm.

Early Socialization isÂ well worth it. Plus it’s a lot of fun meeting new people and new dogs.Â

Make it a fun thing and you will be rewarded 10 fold.

Doodle Romps Event Links

Bring your DoodÂ to a romp and you will be surprised by how much it helps with socialization. Not just his social skills but he will be able to release nervous energy. Being off-leash and running and playing in an open field with other dogs and people is the ultimate day for any dog. Let your dog be a dog for the afternoon while you have fun light conversation with other dog owners.. like me. 🙂