Socialization
What does socialization mean for you and your dog?
Socialization (Per the dictionary)
“a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.”
Young Puppies
Everyone socializes their puppy for the most part. What is the first thing you do but show off your new friend and who wouldn’t? So, you bring your new puppy to family and friends, visiting co-worker, and bring them out and about in general. The puppies at this stage are gaining information on what the world is like, learning about new people, sights and sounds. Even at this young stage they are learning about how to act and react to everything they meet and see. Your reactions and encouragement during this time can help puppies understand appropriate responses to the things going on around them.
Adolescent Puppies
When is the age of adolescent puppies? I generally think of adolescent in puppies starting at about 6 months to about a year of age. Generally, this is the time when people start to see puppies trying new things in regards to being pushy, bratty and bossy at home. However, this can also be a time where puppies go to the other end of the spectrum and become fearful of things that used to be fine with. This is also the age where I see so many puppies stop being socialized. This generally is not the owner’s conscious intent but it is something that generally just happens. This lack of “getting out” to continually gain knowledge of what is normal out in the real world can sometimes have dire consequences later in life. So, for owners of any dog going through this age I suggest continued socialization as if they were young puppies. However, I usually add more structure within the socialization sessions as well by not allowing bad behaviors like jumping up or pulling on the leash.
Adult Dogs
How much do we socialize our adult dogs out in public? The answer to that for most people is not much or not at all. Unless you have a job that allows you to bring your dogs to work, have someone walking your dogs during the day, or do dog sports your dog may not get a lot of socialization. Most people work during the day, come home and walk the dog around the neighborhood, play with them a bit and then it is time for bed. Although the dogs might get outside in their neighborhood they soon get used to their neighborhood and it no longer is socializing with new people or dogs. As by the definition of “socialization” it is “a continuing process” where the dog learns what it needs to know in regards to its identity, the norms of society, behaviors and social skills.
So, what does this all mean for us as dog owners?
I say we all need to do a better job of consciously socializing our dogs from puppyhood into the adult years. I tell all my new puppy clients that they should socialize their puppies until at least a year of age but realistically continued socialization is best. Many behaviors I see in dogs have their roots in lack of socialization. Many behaviors I see also have their roots elsewhere but socialization might have helped push them through into better behaviors. If you have any questions on socialization and the appropriate ways to socialize your puppies or dogs please contact me at [email protected]
