SOCIALIZATION IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS
It lasts for the dog's lifetime. The first 3 months of puppy hood are referred to as
the "Period of Socialization" and will shape the dog's future personality and
temperament.
- In the wild, dog pups and wolf cubs grow up with the dam and litter mate's
and other members of the social group.
- In a domestic environment, the socialization is more complicated, since it is
necessary to be socialized towards humans as well as toward other dogs.
Adult dogs will readily accept the experiences and companions to which
they have become accustomed during puppy hood. Socialization means
giving your pup a positive experience during the prim period so that its
brain makes early positive association with different people, places,
sounds, sights and smells ( Prime socialization period of 4 wks thru
14 wks.) The breeder and new parents must take advantage of 10 weeks
period (4-14) by helping the puppy grow into an adult dog with sound
temperament. The new parent must make good use of the time left of
making that early impression. After 14 wks, the social window begins
to close quickly. Making new positive associations after that becomes
an uphill struggle.
- Socialization occurs naturally if puppies are allowed to interact freely with
humans and other dogs. The puppy/dog must build up his circle of friends
in order to provide a forum for the dog to learn to interact and play with
other dogs.
- All dogs are products of nature and nurture.
- Nature, being size, shape, color, etc. Behavior and temperament are
more plastic. Ex; a puppy with a so so temperament with proper handling
and socialization, you can turn it into a reasonably normal, well adjusted
dog.
- Opposite (Nurture), you take a very stable pup--poor handling- no
socialization you have a disaster of a dog. You can never know for sure
that a particular pup inherited all the right personality genes.
- Starting at 4 wks of age, the breeder must begin exposing pups to gentle
handling and mild stress (restraining each pup briefly) before returning it to
its mom and siblings. She must place the whole litter on a variety of
different surfaces ----grass, dirt, sand, gravel, carpeting, vinyl, cement and
let them play so they are familiar with different types of footing.
- As the puppy grows older, puppy must learn to traverse short flights of
steps so stairs don't scare them. Encourage them to walk on odd surfaces
such as low ramps, and wobbly boards.
- Puppy must meet and play with all types of people. Supervise play and
handling to ensure they are not inadvertently frightened by rough handling or
over enthusiastic children.... Remember puppy must experience
positive experiences during this time.
- Around 6 wks of age, the breeder takes turn taking each pup away from its
litter for short periods, making sure they don't get panicked over the
separation, so your new pup is already accustomed to being alone and isn't
traumatized by sudden separation.
- Good Breeders will help the new puppy parents get an early start on crate
training their pups before sending them to their new homes. This helps the
pups adjustment and new owner job infinitely easier.
NEW PUPPY PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
This is where the new puppy parent comes in. You MUST take over the
responsibility and continue its socialization lessons. This means finding
opportunities daily to give it good associations in its new world.
- If you see the mail man, UPS Carrier coming....grab your leash and treats,
step outside the door and let the puppy see the person in uniform. Feed
several treats, one after the other, until the person has passed by. Your
puppy gets the idea that people in uniforms means nice treats to eat.
Puppy thinks people in uniforms makes treats happen and they really,
really, like people in uniform. The more times you make good
associations with things that happen in your pups world, the more
positive its world view becomes. One popular saying "100 New
Positive things in the 1st 100 days"
- Plan your pups daily socialization ahead of time. Coming up with people
and places for socialization opportunities can require creativity. Plan one
new social activity every day. You will be glad you did. Before you know it,
your pup will be 4 months old and the end of the PRIME TIME
SOCIALIZATION Opportunity.
- Within the socialization window is what some experts call the fear period,
around 8 to 10 or 11 wks of age, when puppies can react strongly to new
things and make deep associations with certain people and situations.
Proceed carefully with socializing your puppy during this period. Take
small steps, and rely on your knowledge of your individual puppy. Some
puppies learn quickly, others are shy, and still others are dominant. All
three of these types learn at different rates. Two good general rules,
however, are to take a puppy into a large group after having socialized him
to smaller groups and to introduce him to new people, scenes, or object
only when you can control the experience.
- To come up with ideas for socializing your puppy, consider what things that
happen in your everyday life involves. This may include the vacuum
cleaner, stairs, running water, fans, mirrors, appliances that make sudden,
loud noises such a hair dryer, blender, garbage disposal.
- Outside the home socialization opportunities may be umbrellas, people
wearing hats, men with facial hair, large crowds of people to wheelchairs,
cars, bicycles. The more things you introduce your puppy to when he is a
puppy, the more confident he will be as an adult.
- Make sure you introduce your puppy to children, whose high-pitched voices
and unexpected movements can frighten or arouse aggression in adult
dogs that haven't had the chance to get familiar with them. Closely
supervise meetings between puppies and children. Children between the
ages of 4 - 5 years old are the best for puppies. They play like another
puppy. They will lie on the ground and play with the puppy.
- Puppy socialization classes are a wonderful place for your puppy to learn
about other dogs. Your puppy will learn to share and interact with other
owners and pets on his own, at his own pace. Most of the time you will sit
back and watch, refraining from forcing your pup to interact and instead
leaving the when, how, and how much up to your puppy.
- You must separate your puppy from sick and aggressive dogs, however,
delaying socialization until vaccines are finished at four months squanders
this once in a lifetime opportunity. Invite your dog-owning friends and their
fully vacinated, adult dogs into your home.
- Socialization does not stop at a certain age... It is a continual lifetime
process. Puppy socialization plants the seeds of confidence and good
behavior; ongoing socialization lets both you and your dog reap the
rewards.
Please do a good job for you and your new puppy.
- Do not let your new puppy be overwhelmed by attention. Encourage adults
and children to calmly greet your new puppy while you feed it tasty treats.
Be assertive and protect your puppy from inappropriate attention. Let
children pet it gently, one at a time while you feed treats to give your pup a
positive association with children and adults. Well behaved older children
and adults can be invited to feed treats as well.
- Dog Parks and Doggie DayCare . Too many hazards for your young pup.
Puppy Kindergarten is suggested over DayCare unless you are really good
friends with the Doggy DayCare Owner. Out of control, exuberant dogs can
scare a young pup, and cause it to be fearful, dog reactive or dog
aggressive. Do give it doggie social playtime in a controlled sessions with
per-approved, appropriate canine playmates. This can be done safely in a
well run Puppy Kindergarten class.
- Stay away from big events, fairs, festivals or parties. This can be too much
sensory overload, such as fireworks. Start with small gatherings.
- Take your pup in to the Vet. or groomer several times a week just to say hi.
Feed your pup treats, without any scary procedures. Don't just go there for
grooming and shots.
|
