These days the focus on dog socialization seems revolve around your dog getting along with other dogs, hence the push to take your puppy/dog to puppy socialisation and/or basic obedience classes. Once your dog has attended one of these classes or schools, you are led to believe your dog should be OK around other dogs for the rest of its lifetime. Wrong! A bad experience especially at a young age with an unfamilar dog, situation or person may cause behaviour problems, such as aggression or timidness. So if you and your dog, find yourself in a class with dominant/aggressive dogs, or you yourself feel uncomfortable, just leave the class. The dogs you introduce your dog/puppy to should be friendly non-aggessive/dominant dogs. If you want a well rounded socialised dog, your dog needs to be introduced from an early age to new places, sights & sounds, (the world is not a quiet place) and people. Even if you live in a rural area, you need to make the effort to take your dog out and about. The wrong experiences, especially early in life, maybe very hard to overcome but a good behaviour modification program can help a lot. Most dogs go through fear periods at certain stages of their early life, so it is good to be aware of them. * Eight to ten weeks of age * From four to six months * At around 12 months * 14 to 18 months and with some dogs can even be as late as 2 years. If you encounter a situation where your dog becomes apprehensive or a bit scared/aggressive DO NOT pat your dog and say "Its OK" by doing that you have just praised your dog for being scared/aggressive. Instead, gently tell him "No", and help him to behave more naturally, by doing some obedience commands. Such as making him sit etc. Although it is probably more difficult these days to take your dog places due to the Dog Control Act. You can still socialise your dog. If you have a couple of vehicles make sure your dog can travel comfortably in both. Take your dog for a drive Stop at a service station, carpark etc there your dog will see, meet and hear people, cars & trucks Take your dog for a walk around town Stop by a school or park and make your dog sit or stand quietly while adults/kids are around. Take your dog to a dog park but keep your dog on the lead. Take your dog near a busy road but stand a safe distance away from the traffic and watch the cars & trucks go by. If there is a dog show in your area take your dog along and walk around. If you go to the beach or river take your dog with you sometimes. Remember, you are responsible for your dog's actions. Please Read Info on: If you find your dog is having a few problems do something about it, contact a behaviourist/trainer and inlist their help. Most problems (even aggression) can be managed or eliminated altogether, with the right training & behaviour modification. There's no such thing as a quick fix, it can take a lot of time and effort on the part of you, the owner. Work has to be done on a daily basis. |
How To Socialise Your Dog |
These days the focus on dog socialization seems revolve around your dog getting along with other dogs, hence the push to take your puppy/dog to puppy socialisation and/or basic obedience classes. Once your dog has attended one of these classes or schools, you are led to believe your dog should be OK around other dogs for the rest of its lifetime. Wrong! A bad experience especially at a young age with an unfamilar dog, situation or person may cause behaviour problems, such as aggression or timidness. So if you and your dog, find yourself in a class with dominant/aggressive dogs, or you yourself feel uncomfortable, just leave the class. The dogs you introduce your dog/puppy to should be friendly non-aggessive/dominant dogs. If you want a well rounded socialised dog, your dog needs to be introduced from an early age to new places, sights & sounds, (the world is not a quiet place) and people. Even if you live in a rural area, you need to make the effort to take your dog out and about. The wrong experiences, especially early in life, maybe very hard to overcome but a good behaviour modification program can help a lot. Most dogs go through fear periods at certain stages of their early life, so it is good to be aware of them. * Eight to ten weeks of age * From four to six months * At around 12 months * 14 to 18 months and with some dogs can even be as late as 2 years. If you encounter a situation where your dog becomes apprehensive or a bit scared/aggressive DO NOT pat your dog and say "Its OK" by doing that you have just praised your dog for being scared/aggressive. Instead, gently tell him "No", and help him to behave more naturally, by doing some obedience commands. Such as making him sit etc. Although it is probably more difficult these days to take your dog places due to the Dog Control Act. You can still socialise your dog. If you have a couple of vehicles make sure your dog can travel comfortably in both. Take your dog for a drive Stop at a service station, carpark etc there your dog will see, meet and hear people, cars & trucks Take your dog for a walk around town Stop by a school or park and make your dog sit or stand quietly while adults/kids are around. Take your dog to a dog park but keep your dog on the lead. Take your dog near a busy road but stand a safe distance away from the traffic and watch the cars & trucks go by. If there is a dog show in your area take your dog along and walk around. If you go to the beach or river take your dog with you sometimes. Remember, you are responsible for your dog's actions. Please Read Info on: If you find your dog is having a few problems do something about it, contact a behaviourist/trainer and inlist their help. Most problems (even aggression) can be managed or eliminated altogether, with the right training & behaviour modification. There's no such thing as a quick fix, it can take a lot of time and effort on the part of you, the owner. Work has to be done on a daily basis. |
