BY FRAN JEWELL
When we think of socializing our puppy or new adult dog, we think of letting them have free time, playing, chasing and being with other dogs so our puppy or dog grows up to like other dogs. “Socialization” is much more than that. Socialization means experiencing ALL things in life. It also sets the stage for teaching your new dog or puppy to TRUST you.
Virtually any new experience you give a dog teaches them about life. Each ride in the car is a new experience that can be enhanced by getting out of the car, even for five minutes, to explore, smell, and hear new things, even if other dogs and people are not involved. BUT, while doing so, this is also your opportunity to teach your new canine to look to you for security. New experiences might be scary to a new pup or dog. If he knows how to focus on you when he gets nervous, now your relationship becomes boundless. If every time your new puppy turns and looks at you instead of something he is afraid of, and then he is rewarded with praise or a small treat, pretty soon things that seem scary are not scary anymore. This is a HUGE way for dogs to learn confidence in new situations. They look to YOU for leadership and direction. This is the building block of TRUST in your relationship with your dog.
Safety is a huge factor in socialization. If a dog is off leash, it can be easy for him to bolt from something he is afraid of. Bolting might not be toward YOU, but toward the woods, where a predatory animal awaits, or into the street. Many people think leashes are evil things, but instead, I think of them as a way to “connect” with your dog. The best leash to start with is a long line – 20 to 50 feet, depending on the size of your dog. It allows him to explore, meet new experiences in life safely, with control. And, most of all, you can shorten it by grabbing it closer to the dog if you need him to be closer to you. It’s two in one; a long line can become a short leash in seconds!
Thinking out of the box for new experiences can be great fun for you. Have a puppy party at your house for your friends to come meet your pup. But then teach the pup that sitting for new people at the door gets them lots of good things. During conversations, teach your pup to lie nicely next to you on the floor instead of jumping all over someone. It’s great fun if your pup is getting lots of goodies for his hard work.
In short, socializing is so much more than letting your pup play and meet other dogs. It can be the perfect time to have your dog build trust in you, instead of obsession for other dogs.
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit www.positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.