K9 Clicking.com
Early socialization is essential for raising a dog with a good temperament. You have a very small window of opportunity
to properly socialize your puppy. When puppies are born, they are like a clean slate. They are constantly taking in
information, learning about their environment and learning how to react to things that they encounter in their
environment. As the puppy matures, the amount of things that you can write on that slate begin to decrease.
Anything that the dog has not been exposed to may elicit a fear response. Fear responses can manifest as shy or
aggressive dogs.
This developmental process is essential to animals in the wild as a defence mechanism. Baby wild animals are given a
very short amount of time to learn about their environment. It's during this time that they explore and play under the
watchful eye of their parent(s). After this period of learning is over, anything that the animal comes in contact with that
is unfamiliar will induce a fear (fight or flight) response. If this didn't occur, we would be having wild animals walking
down Main Street and hanging out in public places. This would be detrimental to the animal to say the least.
Although our companion dogs are not wild animals, they still carry many of the instincts of their wild ancestors. If a
puppy is raised in social isolation, it will most likely be fearful as an adult. Many dogs that are adopted from shelters or
found as strays are labeled "abused" by their new owners are simply victims of poor socialization. In order to raise a
well rounded canine member of society, we must be sure to expose our puppy to as many people, animals (including
dogs outside of the puppy's household), sights, sounds, and activities as we can.
It is important to stress that socialization should be closely monitored. Bad experiences can easily teach a dog to fear
situations, people, or other pets. Children must especially be supervised when handling puppies. Care must also be
taken when selecting other dogs for your puppy to play with. Your puppy should only be introduced to dogs that have
good doggie manners and can tolerate the antics of a young puppy. Dogs that have not been properly socialized
should NEVER be used to socialize a puppy.
People
When socializing your puppy with people, keep in mind the wide variety of people that your dog may come in contact
with. Dogs don't generalize well. They may not understand that the neighbor wearing the parka with the hood up is
the same neighbor that comes over and throws a ball for him. So be sure to expose your dog to many, many people
and situations. Some examples are: Men, men with and without facial hair, people wearing hats, people carrying
umbrellas, people wearing sunglasses, children, children running around flailing their arms and making funny noises
like children often do, elderly, elderly people with canes or walkers, people in wheelchairs, people of different races,
etc.
I thought that I had socialized my dog very well until she marched in a parade for search and rescue. Everything was
going splendid and suddenly her entire posture and demeanor changed. Her body became rigid, her hackles came
up, and I could hear a low growl. I followed her gaze to see a clown heading our way. I had neglected to introduce her
to people wearing white face paint, rubber noses, giant shoes, and poofy wigs. I couldn't blame her too much, though,
as clowns freak me out as well.
Dogs
Inter-dog socialization is highly important. It is essential that puppies get to interact with other puppies and adult dogs.
Through play, dogs learn proper doggie manners. Many dog aggression cases stem from improper socialization at a
young age. Dogs have rituals for greeting other dogs, for play, and for many other things in their lives. Dogs that
have not been properly socialized do not get a chance to learn these rituals and can become social nightmares. You
know that close talker at the cocktail party that wants to talk about his cat all night? Don't let that be your dog! Many
dogs are not tolerant of social guffaws which may lead to a fight.
Early dog interaction teaches your dog many things besides how not to be socially ignorant. Most importantly for us,
puppy socialization teaches your puppy bite inhibition. Bite inhibition is the dog's ability to bite softly. All dogs have the
ability to bite. It is a dog's bite inhibition that keeps it from doing so. All dogs have the ability to break skin and/or
bones, but again, it is bite inhibition that keeps them from doing so. Puppies learn a lot about bite inhibition from other
puppies. That is why it is very important that puppies not be removed from their litters until they are at least 8 weeks
old. Inter-dog socialization helps continue the teaching of bite inhibition.
It is very important that you choose your puppy's playmates carefully. Because socialization should be done at a very
early age, vaccinations are very important. Never allow your puppy to play with other dogs that are sick in any way.
Be sure that your puppy stays current on all vaccines and deworming. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can kill
your puppy.
For this reason, please avoid taking your puppy to places where un-vaccinated animals may have been. Dog parks
and pet stores can be hot spots for disease. (Puppy Social at Animal Care Center does have risks, but precautions
are taken to ensure the health of the puppies. The play area is cleaned with Roccal, a veterinary disinfectant, before
play. Puppies MUST have proof of vaccination in order to attend.)
Great Places to Take Your Puppy for Socialization
Puppy PreSchool:
Puppy PreScool is held at Hilltop Pet Resort in Mt. Juliet. The puppies will learn basic obedience while gaining valuable
socialization skills during play with other puppies and people.
Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply:
These places are great for puppy socialization. There are many sights, smells and sounds that you can expose your
puppy to. Automatic doors, squeaky carts, lumber being sawed, etc. An added bonus is that most people at these
stores are not interested in touching your puppy. It is a good place for you to take your puppy so that (s)he can see
other people without the puppy fearing that all of these strange people will want to touch him/her. It is a little daunting
for a tiny puppy to suddenly have several people converge on him all at once. Take yummy treats to feed your puppy
whenever you come across something scary. Very quickly your puppy will learn that those noisy carts mean food is
coming!
to properly socialize your puppy. When puppies are born, they are like a clean slate. They are constantly taking in
information, learning about their environment and learning how to react to things that they encounter in their
environment. As the puppy matures, the amount of things that you can write on that slate begin to decrease.
Anything that the dog has not been exposed to may elicit a fear response. Fear responses can manifest as shy or
aggressive dogs.
This developmental process is essential to animals in the wild as a defence mechanism. Baby wild animals are given a
very short amount of time to learn about their environment. It's during this time that they explore and play under the
watchful eye of their parent(s). After this period of learning is over, anything that the animal comes in contact with that
is unfamiliar will induce a fear (fight or flight) response. If this didn't occur, we would be having wild animals walking
down Main Street and hanging out in public places. This would be detrimental to the animal to say the least.
Although our companion dogs are not wild animals, they still carry many of the instincts of their wild ancestors. If a
puppy is raised in social isolation, it will most likely be fearful as an adult. Many dogs that are adopted from shelters or
found as strays are labeled "abused" by their new owners are simply victims of poor socialization. In order to raise a
well rounded canine member of society, we must be sure to expose our puppy to as many people, animals (including
dogs outside of the puppy's household), sights, sounds, and activities as we can.
It is important to stress that socialization should be closely monitored. Bad experiences can easily teach a dog to fear
situations, people, or other pets. Children must especially be supervised when handling puppies. Care must also be
taken when selecting other dogs for your puppy to play with. Your puppy should only be introduced to dogs that have
good doggie manners and can tolerate the antics of a young puppy. Dogs that have not been properly socialized
should NEVER be used to socialize a puppy.
People
When socializing your puppy with people, keep in mind the wide variety of people that your dog may come in contact
with. Dogs don't generalize well. They may not understand that the neighbor wearing the parka with the hood up is
the same neighbor that comes over and throws a ball for him. So be sure to expose your dog to many, many people
and situations. Some examples are: Men, men with and without facial hair, people wearing hats, people carrying
umbrellas, people wearing sunglasses, children, children running around flailing their arms and making funny noises
like children often do, elderly, elderly people with canes or walkers, people in wheelchairs, people of different races,
etc.
I thought that I had socialized my dog very well until she marched in a parade for search and rescue. Everything was
going splendid and suddenly her entire posture and demeanor changed. Her body became rigid, her hackles came
up, and I could hear a low growl. I followed her gaze to see a clown heading our way. I had neglected to introduce her
to people wearing white face paint, rubber noses, giant shoes, and poofy wigs. I couldn't blame her too much, though,
as clowns freak me out as well.
Dogs
Inter-dog socialization is highly important. It is essential that puppies get to interact with other puppies and adult dogs.
Through play, dogs learn proper doggie manners. Many dog aggression cases stem from improper socialization at a
young age. Dogs have rituals for greeting other dogs, for play, and for many other things in their lives. Dogs that
have not been properly socialized do not get a chance to learn these rituals and can become social nightmares. You
know that close talker at the cocktail party that wants to talk about his cat all night? Don't let that be your dog! Many
dogs are not tolerant of social guffaws which may lead to a fight.
Early dog interaction teaches your dog many things besides how not to be socially ignorant. Most importantly for us,
puppy socialization teaches your puppy bite inhibition. Bite inhibition is the dog's ability to bite softly. All dogs have the
ability to bite. It is a dog's bite inhibition that keeps it from doing so. All dogs have the ability to break skin and/or
bones, but again, it is bite inhibition that keeps them from doing so. Puppies learn a lot about bite inhibition from other
puppies. That is why it is very important that puppies not be removed from their litters until they are at least 8 weeks
old. Inter-dog socialization helps continue the teaching of bite inhibition.
It is very important that you choose your puppy's playmates carefully. Because socialization should be done at a very
early age, vaccinations are very important. Never allow your puppy to play with other dogs that are sick in any way.
Be sure that your puppy stays current on all vaccines and deworming. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can kill
your puppy.
For this reason, please avoid taking your puppy to places where un-vaccinated animals may have been. Dog parks
and pet stores can be hot spots for disease. (Puppy Social at Animal Care Center does have risks, but precautions
are taken to ensure the health of the puppies. The play area is cleaned with Roccal, a veterinary disinfectant, before
play. Puppies MUST have proof of vaccination in order to attend.)
Great Places to Take Your Puppy for Socialization
Puppy PreSchool:
Puppy PreScool is held at Hilltop Pet Resort in Mt. Juliet. The puppies will learn basic obedience while gaining valuable
socialization skills during play with other puppies and people.
Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply:
These places are great for puppy socialization. There are many sights, smells and sounds that you can expose your
puppy to. Automatic doors, squeaky carts, lumber being sawed, etc. An added bonus is that most people at these
stores are not interested in touching your puppy. It is a good place for you to take your puppy so that (s)he can see
other people without the puppy fearing that all of these strange people will want to touch him/her. It is a little daunting
for a tiny puppy to suddenly have several people converge on him all at once. Take yummy treats to feed your puppy
whenever you come across something scary. Very quickly your puppy will learn that those noisy carts mean food is
coming!
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| The Importance of Early Socialization |
| Click here to read the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Puppy Socialization |
Recommended reading
on Puppy Raising and
Socialization
on Puppy Raising and
Socialization
