GET ALONG LITTLE DOGGIES

By Pat Blocker, CPDT-KA

These days we often hear the term socialization used regarding our dogs. Does the thought of socializing dogs evoke visions of Canine Cotillions where doggie debutantes are presented to society? Or perhaps, those poker playing dogs wagering for Milk Bones? What does it all mean?

Socialization isn't merely introducing puppies to people and dogs. It should also involve introducing them to a myriad of new smells, sounds, surfaces, objects and handling. In his book Before You Get Your Puppy, Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and animal behaviorist states that puppies should be socialized to people before 12 weeks of age and meet at least 100 people during their first month at home. That being said, caution should be used in exposing puppies to public places before their first series of immunizations are complete.

The optimum window for socialization is from 10 weeks to 5 months of age, but to ensure a puppy remains well socialized, she needs to continue meeting unfamiliar people, especially children and men. Be sure new social experiences are pleasant and not overwhelming. For instance, taking a shy dog or new puppy to the dog park could be akin to forcing your wallflower friend to attend a frat house kegger!

Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?

Although there is an optimum age window for socialization, this doesn't mean there's no hope for dogs that have missed that window. Behavior issues for the unsocialized or under-socialized dog can still be impacted. However, these dogs may have more unlearning to do, requiring from us a higher level of dedication to their training.

When faced with new situations and encountering people and other dogs, some common behaviors exhibited by socially challenged dogs are barking, whining, leash lunging, fear, shyness, and in some cases, aggression. These behaviors can be minimized or even eliminated through humane training methods that employ positive reinforcement.

Even highly reactive dogs have been helped using these training techniques. Christie Martin, a harried dog parent who attended a special class for reactive and dog aggressive dogs with her adopted German Shepherd mix says, "Before I started the classes with Stanley, I considered finding him a new home. I thought his behavior was just part of his nature and I couldn't change him. He was so hard to control, it seemed I had to either isolate him or subject both of us to potentially dangerous situations. Now that we've really worked on his behaviors (and maybe more important, my reactions to them), I have a lot more confidence that I can handle him when we're out and about. I'm so happy that Stanley can start to interact with other dogs!"

No matter what the dog's age, socialization should include a variety of new, pleasurable experiences that stay within his comfort level. Group training classes provide an excellent opportunity for social interaction and confidence building for both you and your dog. A reputable positive reinforcement trainer can help you decide what type of class is best for you.

Some other places for socializing dogs are dog parks, doggie daycare, pet stores and parks. Make sure you know the rules and be wise about keeping your dog happy and safe.

Does Size Matter?

In a wordÉno. All dogs, regardless of age and size, should be socialized. Often a small dog's antisocial behavior is overlooked or viewed as cute! Even biting is sometimes laughed off because no serious danger is perceived. Any act unacceptable in a 100-lb. dog should be unacceptable in a 10-lb. dog.

Consider this story about Niles. When this mighty Chihuahua sunk his teeth into a policeman's boot, nervous laughter ensued. But if Niles were a large breed dog, no one would have been laughing.

Let's Do Something Else

Whenever trying to extinguish an undesirable behavior, an alternate, incompatible one should be taught to replace it. How about sitting politely and paying attention instead of lunging and barking when other dogs approach?

"Watch" can be taught by luring the dog into making eye contact with you. First, ask for a sit. Then swipe a treat in front of the dog's nose bringing the treat up by your eyes. When he looks at you, praise and treat him. Teach this behavior when there are no distractions. If a dog can't do it when it's easy, he can't do it when it's difficult. Once your dog is performing reliably, gradually increase distractions being careful not to progress too quickly. Set your dog up for success, not to set him back.

Start Off On The Right Paw

Getting a puppy off to a good start with proper socialization is critical for a well-adjusted, happy adult dog. But as discussed here, there is also help for older dogs.

Perhaps, now that the mystery of socialization has been solved, the only remaining question is: What will your dog wear to the Canine Cotillion?

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