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Socializing
Experts refer to socialization window”as the period in which puppies are most receptive to learning about the correct way to behave in the new environments that they are introduced to. Exposure to people, other dogs/animals between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks time has a long-lasting influence on the sociability of a dog.
Socialization of your dog must begin as soon as you bring it home. Reinforcing social skills should continue throughout the dog's life. Well-socialized dogs are friendlier and less shy; they are less likely to develop two of the most hard-to-resolve problems - biting and fighting.
Purpose of socialization:
The fundamental purpose of the socialization process is to establish and determine how your dog should and should not behave with other people and dogs at home and outside. The ultimate goal of socialization is that you should be able to take your dog to any place without any embarrassment. Your dog should be able to build a positive relationship with the outside world by remaining calm, comfortable and confident.
Maintaining socialization is important: how to do it?
Socialization has to be a perennial process in a dog’s life. To keep your dog socialized, it must continue to meet new dogs and new people.
- The best ways to do this are walking a different route each day and inviting over people to your home. Introduce him to everyone: your children, mom, dad, cousins, friends, postman just anybody and everybody.
- Take your dog to a wide variety of places with multiple characteristics - such as new streets, playground, shopping malls, car, the beach, crowded areas, movie halls etc. This is an important part of dog socializing.
- Expose your dog to various sounds, such as the door bell, the telephone, your neighbour’s car, children playing, cars honking, the food processor, etc. The most common sound which scares a dog is thunder deal with it.
- Dogs should socialize with other dogs/animals also - different breeds and sizes.
- Familiarize your dog to being touched all over. This will make bathing and grooming easier.
- If the dog is scared of a particular object or sound, reintroduce it gradually to him.
- Do not reward fear with appreciation. Distract him temporarily, till he gets over the fear.
Reward-based techniques are to be used when dealing with fearful or shy dogs. If you have a dog who's a little afraid or stays away from people, you need to do it this way. Just might work!!!!
When you properly introduce your dog to new things, sounds, and surroundings, his desire to learn further and to become fully acquainted with more events and different situations is greatly enhanced.
But be careful not to expose your dog to too much, too soon. A little bit at a time is absolutely fine!