What would consititute "socialization activity"??

[jasonsjwou]

Our sheltie was born in January 2011. We brought her home at almost 18wks.

The breeder was a well respected sheltie breeder, and even to my inexperienced eyes, I can tell that the dog has been socialized pretty well.

We are a complete newbie dog owner, and I am glad that I bought my dog from a breeder who knew what she was doing. Of course, there would be positive and negative side to this, but I'm glad that I didn't bring home a 8wk old puppy, because I wouldn't have known what to do in terms of socialization.

I heard from so many different sources (this forum and others) that

• Tired puppy is the best puppy
• Early socialization is the key

So, would these activities constitute as a good "early socialization activities"?

1. Take the dog to places where there are lots of people
- Few days ago, I took the dog on my way to the church to pick up my kids after their VBS. I waited outside the door with the dog on a leash. As you can imagine, 500+ kids spew out of the door... and my dog was an instant star!!! Everyone wanted to pet her. (And the dog seemed happy too - wagging the tail as if it's going to fall off) I can do that more often, if this is a good thing to do.

2. Take the dog to places where there are other dogs
- I kindda like visiting petstore with the dog. They all bark but my dog doesn't really seem to mind. Visiting fellow dog owner's house... going for a walk when everyone in the neighbor is walking their dogs...

3. Take the dog to puppy training class
- Weeding a good one from bad one is difficult... (I found one training facility where they limit the class size to 6 dogs... do I have a good shot at this place?) I've enrolled for this class starting nextweek.

4. Invite people and other dogs to my house
- I have friends coming all the time, but not yet with their dog

5. Introducing different things/sounds around the house
- Not just TVs and stereos.. but Vacuum cleaners, RC cars, treadmills, many things that makes strange noises.... but where do you draw the line on "reserved but getting used to" and "scared and shouldn't be doing any more"

 

[DPSheltie]

That sounds like a good list so far! I would include having people to games with the puppy where it has to sit for each person (and get a cookie from them) and be "examined"/restrained gently for cookies so the pup is used to being handled by people (good practice for vet and groomers).

As for when it would be too much, if the pup is not able to bounce back quickly and either investigate or at least act normally again, the it is too much. If the noise was too scary and the pup hides or shuts down (won't listen or even take food) than it was too much and you will need to move away from it to a distance that the pup can be confident and successful. Then you work on moving closer little by little again.

 

[labgirl]

That sounds pretty much my socialisation list.

Basically, let pup to stop and look at something odd, if they are uncertain let them come to you or even stand behind - never force an experience on a pup. A nervous dog is one that has their ears pressed back, tail down and wants to back away. In that situation never force them. But sounds like your pup is a pretty confident soul.

I would just add to your list traffic noise and reinforce that when a bike or car goes past your pup looks to you for a treat rather than want to chase the moving object.

With other dogs, always check first that a unknown dog is friendly and be prepared to step in if the strange dog gets too rough, frightens your pup, or worst come to the worst, aggressive.

Always follow a negative experience with a positive experience as soon as possible and you'll get there.

 

[Caro]

You might want to try taking the pup outside shopping centres where there are elderly people. I have a friend who's dogs bark at elderly people because they walk funny and have walking sticks, frames or wheelchairs, they were never around elderly people as pups. Recently an old man they were barking at fell so she is now madly trying to socialise them around older people.

I second getting used to traffic, shelties can be very naughty around moving things. But I wouldnt treat when a bicycle or car goes past - I learnt this the hard way, but a smart dog will firstly think - hmm these moving things are fantastic because they get me food. Then they will go she gives me treats when they go past, so I will look out for them. And if they are like mine it ends up encouraging chasing!

 

[Paeoniaa]

I just wanted to say you have a great socialization list

As for recognizing the line between scared/overwhelmed and wary/uncertain, DPSheltie and labgirl have it covered. If your puppy is scared/overwhelmed, reduce the intensity of the stimulus (i.e. not so loud, not so many, not so close) and build up slowly.

 

[Silaria]

That seems like a great starting list to me.

The more exposure you can give your pup to different things the less "scary" the world becomes. Some folks made some fantastic observations about cars and the elderly. You are already exposing your pup to children; great move there.

I don't know if you have something like this in your area, but one of our local shelters also has a focus on education so they offer classes and social functions for people and their dogs. One of the social functions they offer is 'puppy play time' where you can bring your pup and allow them to socialize, off leash, with other pups. The owners and volunteers from the shelter are present to monitor things. There is also usually coffee and doughnuts for the owners. So, you can look for opportunities like this since they are supervised.