Socialization -- A Key Element

Socialization is one of the most important elements in a dog's life. Whether you are dealing with a puppy or an older dog, proper socialization enables the animal to determine it's standing with other dogs, people, children, and with you. It's the process which renders some dogs confident and happy-go-lucky, while leaving others reticent, fearful and uncertain.

The Miriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "socialize" as the act of "making social; especially to make fit or train for a social environment; or to adapt to social needs or uses." Its synonyms are "mingle, associate, or mix."

Puppies go through various critical and delicate developmental stages. The primary, or new-born period, is one where all imprinting is done by the mother. This is a process that is wholly natural, and instinctual. It enables the puppies to develop an appropriate understanding of their place in nature (with other dogs).

From the age of five weeks and up, the puppy is capable of taking in information from its environment. It is from this period on that the domestication process can begin. When a dog is properly domesticated, it can adapt to an intimate association with, and to the advantage of humans.

I can't help but feel that this all-important stage is too often rushed, downplayed, and sometimes downright ignored. If our purpose is to make our dog companions "fit for social environments," then this means taking the initiative to expose the animal to new people, places, and situations. The most important aspect of this process is how we handle the dog's response to the new situations and stimulations. There are often long-term catastrophic consequences when owners give conflicting behavioral reinforcement, and put the dog in situations of overwhelming stimulation.

Here are a few rules of thumb of socialization:

• Never touch your dog, unless you intend to demonstrate approval of their behavior or reaction to stimulation. (Fear, aggression, apprehension, or panic, are a few undesirable reactions.)
• Never say, "okay" in an effort to appease or nurture a dog. They will perceive their present behavior as okay.
• Do not yank on the leash when the dog is behind you. Encourage the dog to keep up with and be in tune with you.
• Do not give your dog a treat in an attempt to get his attention. They will think you are rewarding their current behavior.
• Do not leave a situation while the dog is still reacting inappropriately. The next time they enter a similar environment, they will respond based on their last experience.
• Do take your dog to as many new places as possible, as early as possible.
• Do start at lower stress environments and work your way up. This will enable you to build a relationship with your dog based on trust and repeated success.
• Always keep the dog on a leash to insure safety and success. Even the best-trained dogs are seldom off leash in an environment which could pose a traffic hazard or any other danger to the animal.
• Quietly, and with encouraging words, walk your dog back and forth past the stimuli or the distraction which is disrupting "normal" behavior, until he ignores it.

Many of you will see different reactions from your puppies when they are stressed. Some will get overly stimulated and excited, other will try to withdraw or hide, a few will ignore the distraction and seem to take it all in stride, and a small percentage will show profound panic or aggression. How you respond to their respective reacton will determine how they will react as adults.

Your job is to desensitize or make non-reactive; to extinguish the emotional response to new stimuli. Take this seriously, with diligence, and your pup will become comfortable and well adjusted. If they can handle a shopping cart clanking by, the neighborhood noises will be a piece of cake.