While we’re waiting on an avalanche of puppy photos/videos, I wrote up some info on Socialization and how I do it that I’ll be sharing in several parts over the next few days.
What is PROPER puppy socialization?
Socialization is about teaching the puppy to take novelty in stride.
Without that SKILL, a dog will default to startle and react, rather than “Whatever. Just more weird stuff”. And then you are in “fix it” mode or ‘avoid it’ mode for the rest of the dog’s life.
Better to give the puppy the coping skills it needs from the start! Because life is weird and your dog WILL encounter weird and unexpected things, on walks, at dog sports, and especially if they are a Service Dog.
“Weird” is used broadly to describe anything odd, unusual, out of the ordinary, strange, bizarre, or slightly peculiar. It can refer to behaviors, situations, or events that deviate from the norm. Depending on the context, it can carry a neutral tone (e.g., a strange coincidence), a negative one (e.g., an eerie feeling), or even a positive one (e.g., unique art).
Proper socialization and proactively teaching the pup ‘how to handle weird’ will greatly reduce reactivity to and hyper focus on novelty and will increase their ability to learn (because fear and apprehension inhibit all sorts of good things). Plus, a dog with proper socialization training will be able to go everywhere and do everything with confidence. So they have a much bigger, and better life than the dog who missed out and ends up reactive and needs to be protected from certain triggers.
While proper socialization is most effective and has the greatest effect when done when the puppy is less than 16 weeks old, there are benefits to continuing the careful, purposeful, and systematic exposure to “weird” throughout the dog’s lifetime. I want my dogs to EMBRACE the weird, to LOVE weird things, to feel GOOD when they see or experience weird. This is the manifestation of confidence.
This confidence allows the dog to remain in thinking mode instead of going into survival reactionary mode. It allows for rational assessment of the novel thing, vs. a fight or flight response. I want my dog to be thinking- “Oh good! Something new! This is cool!” Instead of “Danger! Escape! We’re all going to die!”
I will say that getting a puppy from a breeder that starts this process as soon as the puppies are born puts the puppy MILES ahead of puppies without the socialization and training! There are a few different programs that breeders can use to ensure their puppies have excellent coping skills and confidence before they even leave the breeder. I HIGHLY recommend finding such a breeder if you want to make your life MUCH easier from the moment you bring the puppy home! Mister’s breeder has been doing a fantastic job with this and I know he will have the best possible base upon which to build these skills even further.
Photo is the boys enjoying a pool party today!
