Phone: 508-255-0081
Email:

The Canine Socialization Challenge

 

Proper socialization is essential to helping your puppy/dog become a good member of the family and community. Lack of socialization is the major reason dogs become fearful of people, the environment, and other dogs. Proper socialization is probably the single most important thing an owner can do to guard against the most serious behavior problem there is - aggression. Dogs who bite are frequently banished to the back yard, re-homed, taken to the pound or euthanized. Therefore, proper socialization can mean the difference between life and death for a dog.

Socialize your dog by creating a positive experience with as many different people and situations as possible. Keep in mind that the critical socialization period for a dog is at 7 weeks to 16 weeks of age. Properly socializing your dog means teaching your dog not to react by desensitizing it to those things the dog will encounter in daily life. Under-socialized dogs often overreact to many common things or situations. To socialize your dog, give them small, tasty treats while you take them to new situations like these:

1. Meet a child who is not a member of the family.

2. Meet a person using a wheel chair, cane or walker.

3. Meet a person carrying a large object (suitcase, box, musical instrument,
etc.).

4. Visit a retail store.

5. Meet a person in a uniform.

6. Meet a new dog.

7. Visit a crowded place (a busy sidewalk, mall, athletic event, parade, etc.).

8. Experience a new, loud noise (doorbell, vacuum cleaner, siren, etc.).

9. Watch someone go by on a bicycle, skateboard, skates or sled.

10.Meet someone wearing a hat or scarf.

 

Observe your dog carefully for signs of discomfort and stop if the dog appears to be having difficulty. (Some signs of stress include panting, backing away, rigid body or refusing a treat.) Don’t overwhelm your dog. Work at the dog’s pace. Give your dog treats generously so that they associate the new experience with a positive consequence. The sequence is important: give the dog the treat after each experience so that they learn that new activity predicts a reward.

If your dog becomes tense, nervous or frightened, don’t soothe the dog. This will only imprint the fearful reaction. Instead, try to redirect the dog’s attention onto a food treat or toy. Then calmly add distance to the situation and try to reintroduce the dog to the same situation in smaller steps. You may need to go a bit slower and build up the dog’s confidence with exposure to other public situations. Always praise your dog when it has worked through it’s fear to take a treat in a situation that was uncomfortable for it.

**Please give socialization as much attention as you give to obedience training.**