Socializing your dog is a lifelong process. It literally means introducing your dog to as many different people, places, objects and animals as possible. Dogs that are well socialized are: happy, secure, and confident. This can make them healthier because they will have a reduction in their stress level. They are not afraid of most objects and may be cautious about certain things but don’t panic and can recover quickly if startled.
Start socializing your puppy now. The critical stage is from 3 weeks to 14 to 16 weeks. They need lots of POSITIVE exposure to as many different people, places, things, noise and smells as you can give them. If this is not done they may develop irreversible fears leading to shyness, timidity or aggression.
Take them to as many places as possible to meet as many different people as possible. This is really important for men and children of all sizes and ages.
Many of the vets who understand anything about a dogs development and how important it is to socialize them will tell you the same thing, and then turn around and tell you not to take them to parks or put them anywhere that strange dogs have been until they have had all of their shots. So how do you socialize them safely? Most vets that went to college to become a DVM did not get behavior or obedience training as part of their school curriculum and may not be able to give you a solution; they just don’t want to be responsible for your dog getting sick.
Most Humane Society and Animal Shelter personnel know:
"The number one cause of death among dogs is behavior problems stemming from a lack of socialization." They also say "more dogs die of behavior problems due to lack of socialization than they do from disease". They get the dogs that have little to no training or socializing, they deal with millions of dogs.
That is why they encourage you to:
- Enroll your puppy into a training and socializing class as soon as they turn 10-12 weeks old
- Pick a class that is held indoors so that it can be cleaned and disinfected
- All puppies should be screened for vaccinations and health
- The class should recommend the use of food and toys to train a puppy
- Avoid a class that requires you to use a choke or pinch collar, or forbids the use of food in training
The best thing you can do for the new member of your family is to get them into a class as soon as possible.Too often I see under socialized dogs, mostly due to the fact that a vet or breeder told them not to get their puppy around anything until vaccinated, or they did not know any better because of old school thinking. The pet parents must now break the habits their dog, (now 4 months old or more), has, but it can be done. Or, if the dog is aggressive, I must turn them towards a Certified Behaviorist, which can become very expensive.
So, how can you socialize them safely? Get them into a class at an early age as possible, but make sure and follow the guidelines above. Question the instructor to make sure they disinfect and sanitize and cut down on viral particles, this is important. Example (not a scientific study): Let’s look at a vet’s reception area, for say Parvo particles, there is probably about 1000 particles per square inch, if they don’t come out between clients and mop and clean, but, a place that cleans constantly would have a lower viral particle count, say 100 per square inch, so technically you will catch something at your vet’s office more than any where, since that’s where the sick dogs go. We now live in the 21st century, we do have disinfectants that are safe to use around pets. Dr. Ian Dunbar said that as a vet he can make a sick puppy healthy with medicine, mostly an easy fix, but a fearful, or aggressive dog can take months to a year to make better, get to them early and socialize them.
Ask your co-workers, church members, friends, neighbors, if they can help you; also if they have PUPPY friendly dogs, those that are gentle and can socialize with your puppy. Have anyone petting and touching your dog to wash their hands, or have hand sanitizer handy and leave their shoes outside your door so they don’t tread anything from outside into your home.
Puppies come with a clean slate, mold your puppy into the dog you want them to be: confident, social and relaxed around a variety of situations and things. With time you can become a smart and savvy pet parent.
If at anytime time your puppy is scared- tries to run away, tuck their tail, attempts to bite or barks:
- Do not try to soothe and pet them and say “it’s okay”. You will be praising and rewarding his scared behavior, and he will feel as though there is something he should be scared about, and it will make the situation worse.
- Act happy and excited about the new thing, use treats and make it a game if possible.
- If the situation is overwhelming, back away from the situation until the puppy feels and acts relaxed again.
- Start from the new distance and build their confidence, act happy and excited, make it a game.
- Gradually get closer to the situation. Put low to higher value treats towards the scary thing, say a piece of kibble, then a milkbone biscuit, pupperoni treat, chicken jerky then liver then hotdogs, depending on what your dog thinks is high value.
Your goal is to get the puppy to feel comfortable and confident around the situations that they were scared about.
What kind of things am I talking about?
Here is a list of things to get them used to:
Adults__ Both Genders (emphasize men) Toddlers__ Babies__ Children/Teenagers__ Seniors__ Raincoats_ Phone ringing__Umbrellas_ Doorbell_ Sunglasses_ Loud T.V._ Hats_ Hair Dryer_ Beards_ Vacuum cleaner_ Helmets_ Washer/Dryer__Different ethnicities _ Costumes_ Electric Appliances__ Spikey/Punk Hairdos_ Shower/bath__Friendly, healthy dogs_ Shaved Heads_ Sweeping/mopping__Dogs, large, medium and small_ Repair people__ Other Puppies_ Boarding Kennels_ Delivery People_Cats_ Groomers_ Large and small birds_ Gas Station_ Strong perfume_Livestock_ Toll Booth_ Strong cooking smells_ Shopping Mall_ Swings_Canes_ Automatic Scooters_Umbrellas_ Doors_ Skateboards_
Crutches_ School Grounds_ Tricycles_Legs and arms in cast_ Car Wash_ Hula Hoop_Walkers_ Walk After Dark_ Kites_Wheelchairs_ A Tunnel_ Remote control toys_Baby Carriages/Carriers_ A Bridge_ Skipping rope_Facial Hair_ Intersections_ Flags/Banners_Back Packs_ Trains_Luggage_ Drive Thru_ Stairs_Wagons_ Crowds_ Sand_Shopping Carts_ Outdoor Events_ Wood_Limps, shuffles, odd gaits_ The Beach_ Tile_Erratic body movements_ Hiking Trails_ Carpet_ Slippery Surfaces_ Postal Workers_ Sirens_ Manholes/grates_Meter reader_ Thunder and Lightning_ Gravel_
Couriers_ Fireworks_ Cement_Cops_ Snow_ Docks_Vet clinic staff_ Rain_ Astroturf_Firemen_ Wind_ Mud/Ice_ Airport_ Cars_ Loud music_ Parades_Motorcycles_ People yelling_ Hot Air Balloons_Boats_ People singing/Live Band_Back-up alarm_ Electric Tools__ Holiday characters/Mascots_Screeching tires_ Power Tools_ Clowns_Cars backfiring_ Wheelbarrow_ Street Vendors
Airplanes and Helicopters_ Lawn Mower_ Dancing_Street Cleaners/Garbage Trucks _ Garden Hose_
I am sure there are more, so go find it. Check off the ones above you have already done, the more you get them used to, the better they will be.
Children and men are 2 things I see alot of dogs being scared about, so it’s important you get them used to them.
I can’t tell you enough the tragedy I see due to a lack of socializing, please don’t be scared to do the right thing for your puppy.
