Socialization, myths and facts.

Please allow your new dog, of any age, to decompress, and learn trust you, before taking your puppy or new dog out/anywhere.

Socialization, we have all been told to socialize our puppies and dogs, they have to meet so may other dogs in a certain time, right?

The term socialization refers to a period in a puppies life (beginning at three weeks of age, and ending at twelve weeks) where under the guidance of their mother (in the wild other members of the pack help with this), they become aware of the world around them.  They explore safely, Mom guides them to make the right choices. They play, smell, touch, chew, explore their world, learn bite inhibition (not to bit to hard).  Please do not remove the a puppy from it's Mother/siblings to early as they will never learn this. If your puppy bites, say "Och" and do not make a game out of it. Matching the right dog to the owner's, home, activity level, environment, and personality is all very important. Many wonderful people adopt dogs, and taking it very slowly for these dogs is even more important.

 

Some dog's personalities make socializing impossible, it can make their behavior worse and harm them.

Putting a fearful/anxious puppy or dog  (of any age that is anxious/nervous) in an overwhelming position is unfair, unkind. Forcing a puppy/dog into an environment where it is unhappy is not the answer. Please get to know your dog's personality first, before making any decision (Puppy playgroups, dog parks, training classes etc).

 

Knowing your puppy /dog and giving them gentle guidance in your home is the answer. Many media advertisements try to convince dog owners that for every issue socialization is the answer. This is not true, some dogs never cope with this, they need peace and to be allowed to spend their days quietly with a soul mate who understands their needs, in a pressure free environment.

Please do not place your friend in a position where they can not cope and will fail, be their guide, understand them and leave them at home, stress free.

 

Each puppy/dog is different, just as every child in a family is, by seeing this, we can give our dogs the right exposure at the right time.

 

There are of course dogs who at the right age, at the right place, love their socialization time. Please recognize that some can not cope with it,  never will, and that this is OK.

 

This article is for the owners of dogs and puppies who will never be ready for this and gives them permission to skip class!

Play with your friend at home, without guilt! 

 

Take your dogs out, when you are happy and in control.  When they are ready, when they can trust you, as each and every dog is different, ready at a different age and stage. Work with your dogs personality and you will have a wonderful relationship.

 

Louise Pay Dog Listener CA

 

 

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