09/11/2024
Training tip of the week: Socialization
Socializing is a vital part in your dog's development and life. It's what helps them be happy, healthy, and able to take on the world around them. Every dog should have socialization, even if you happen to get them as an older puppy or even an adult.
The most critical stages in a puppy's life is before 16 weeks. This is when they are learning from their mom and littermates how to interact with others of their kind. Then when they reach that 8 week mark, that's ideally when they should start to be paired up with their forever person as that's when the next stage of socialization comes into play and they bond to their person/people. They're learning how to be away from their mom and littermates and function as an individual. They are learning what's scary and what's not scary.
So how can you socialize your dog or puppy?
Well, a lot of people think that having anybody and everybody pet their dog, and having their dog play and meet all other dogs, and even go to doggie daycare, is a great way to socialize.
However, this tends to create either fear and avoidance with more nervous dogs, over excitment with the more outgoing dogs, and it creates bad habits. Dogs that attend doggie daycare have higher occurrences and chances if rudeness, overstimulation, and reactivity because they think every dog they meet means play time
I have seen COUNTLESS dogs that are great on leash and they start to go to daycare and their obedience and behavior goes way downhill. I will say, some dogs really di enjoy daycare and do fine with it, this is just an over arching air on the side of caution. Most dogs don't actually truly enjoy daycare.
Imagine if you take your children to a place like McDonald's or other fast food places with the play areas and turning them loose with a bunch of other children, all day, every day. Chaos, right?
At its core, socialization is letting the dog observe the world and learn that it isn't scary, it isn't going to hurt them, and learning how to cope in this world of humans.
So of course let some people here and there pet your dog when they're being polite. Make sure to know your dog's signals of discomfort and remove them from the situation if they become uncomfortable. But don't be afraid to politely decline people's requests to pet your dog and do some focus work with your dog.
Go to a walmart parking lot, tractor supply, anywhere and just sit with your dog. Pop your trunk and sit with your dog and people watch. Bring treats and cookies and reward occasionally. Keep it short and sweet.
Socializing also includes exposing to different sounds, sights, smells, flooring textures, etc.
I like to play the game of 7's, where I find 7 different sounds, sights, smells, textures, you name it, and work with them around it. Starting slow and at your dog's comfort level. And spread it out.
Play some soft road construction sounds from youtube near your dog while they get treats or eat their dinner. Play different firework sounds, cafe sounds, baby sounds, anything you can think of. Make sure they are exposed to 7 different types of people, wearing different style clothing. Hats, no hats, beards, no beards, men, women, children, teenagers, old, young. This is where people watching in parking lots come in handy.
The purpose of this isn't to prepare your dog for every possible scenario or situation they will encounter in life because let's face it, that's impossible. However, if you practice with at least 7 different things as mentioned above, it will give your dog a solid foundation to handle new situations and you will also be prepared to help your dog handle new situations.
And of course, make sure you are socializing them to vets and groomers, ESPECIALLY if you have a breed that requires haircuts like doodles, poodles, etc. Ask your vet or groomer if you can bring your dog in just to hang out for a few minutes in the lobby, get some treats, and maybe some of the staff give them treats as well. Don't take them there just for the vaccines or other not fun stuff that happens.
Start as early as possible. Chat with your vet and groomer about other ways you can help make their job easier and help your dog feel more comfortable as well while in their care.
There are so so many more ways to socialize your dog, but these are just touching the surface. And every dog is different, so always do your own research, ask other people, explore what works for you and your dog.
If you have any questions or would like to get an appointment scheduled for training, feel free to drop a comment or shoot me an email. Thank you all for tuning in and I'll see you guys next week for more training tips
