Socialisation

The most important part…socialization

“100 new people by 12 weeks”

Goldies love meeting friends!

“Remember, your puppy has no idea as what is right or wrong in your eyes. You must condition him, preferably through positive encouragement and reward, as to how you want him to behave.”

It is very important to socialize a dog to things which it will experience later in life. Through studies, there is understood to be different periods which are critical to a puppy’s development and should be treated with care. From four to twelve weeks puppies have this phenomenal ability to assimilate new information and new experiences. Therefore it is important to socialize a puppy to what it will experience later in life before she is twelve weeks old.

From now to the 16th week of the puppy’s life, his basic character is set by what he is taught. This will apply especially to his attitudes toward people and toward his ability to serve them the very best he can. -Pfaffenberger

The best time to introduce your pup to as many different people, places, animals, floors, sounds, handling etc. as possible is from four to twelve weeks when the puppies have the phenomenal ability to assimilate new information and new experiences. Whatever they see around them and have positive experiences with at this time will have life-long consequences. If a puppy does not see much or they have a BAD experience, the fear generated may also last for life. After 16 weeks this socialisation window closes for good. Socialising an adult dog can be a very long-winded process..

No matter how much your pup seems to be able to deal with, try not to overwhelm him with all socialisation events at once and stop while he is still having fun. Allow your pup to approach people himself if he is at all nervous at first.

We have followed a strict socialisation programme from about 4 weeks of age. The aim is to have each puppy have a positive experiences with different items in these categories

Socialisation Programme

Surfaces

Play Items

Locations

Eaten (From)

Eaten (in)

Sounds

Grooming

Dogs Met

“Remember, your puppy has no idea as what is right or wrong in your eyes. You must condition him, preferably through positive encouragement and reward, as to how you want him to behave.”

Socialisation is important throughout a dogs life, I am a great believer in the dog learning for itself. However you react will go straight own the lead to your dog. Therefore your should remain calm and assertive throughout. When meeting other dogs, people, horses etc when out and about it is important not to tare you dog away. This will create behavioural problems. For most dogs and people you are able to let your dog workout for itself whether it should say hello. This is done through your dog reading body language. If the dog has a bad experience it will not say hello to a dog with that posture again. If there is danger, or you know that the other dog is vicious or you are meeting horses on a path, it is okay to call your dog back and keep it away. This should be done sparing, let your dog understand this "vicious" dogs body language so it learns to keep away.

Remember never be afraid to warn another persons dog off if it is doing something wrong, chances are that they know that their dog is in the wrong but do not know how to correct it. A clap of the hands or a sharp No will suffice. Try not to touch another persons dog.