Helping to create positive experiences for our puppies, both early in their lives and as they continue to mature to adulthood, is very important. It builds their confidence, exposing them in a gentle way to the people, animals, places, and things that will be a part of their world, and sets them up for success in their lives with us.
Sometimes, though, I think there can be some confusion about what constitutes positive socialization. Let's say, for example, you have an adorable and friendly pup who is eager to greet every person and dog they see during their neighborhood walks. On the surface, this may sound like a good idea, but let's dig a little deeper.
What if the person doesn't want to greet your puppy?
What if the person greets your puppy in such a way that it inspires overly excited behavior that is irritating, like jumping up and playfully nipping?
What if the person accidentally does something that scares your pup, like lifting them up and/or hugging them?
What if the other dog doesn't want to endure your excited puppy's advances?
What if the other dog decides to hurt your puppy when they invade their space, or even just snarks sharply at your pup in a scary way?
What if the other dog wants to play and the two soon turn into a leash-tangled mass of wild enthusiasm that's hard to unravel?
You can see how letting your pup race up to greet every person and dog they see during walks can quickly go sideways. It also actively teaches and rewards your pup for behaviors you don't really want, like inattentiveness to you, pulling on leash, racing up to other dogs and invading their space (which can be dangerous), and jumping on other people or dogs.
Instead, here's what I suggest. Create regular, structured meetings with other people and socially appropriate dogs where you have the time to establish ground rules that help set your puppy up for success. For instance:
Allow greetings only after your pup is focused on you and behaving calmly.
Instruct the person they're meeting on how to greet the pup in a calm way that doesn't inspire jumping and nipping. (This may be simply dishing out treats for four paws on the ground rather than petting, as petting can inspire too much excitement.)
Create meetings with other socially appropriate dogs in safe locations so you can guide your puppy on how to approach and greet other dogs in a mannerly way, and so that any play that may occur is carefully monitored.
Otherwise, when walking your pup on leash, teach them that seeing other people or dogs now means you will deliver treats as you continue your walk, without stopping to greet. You'll still be creating a positive social experience for your pup (i.e., seeing a person or dog predicts wonderful treats), without the unwanted and potentially unsafe behaviors mentioned above. And the distinct bonus is that, with repetition, exciting things in the environment will become your pup's cue to look attentively at you!
If you need assistance with puppy training and socialization, please get in touch.
There's nothing I love more than working with young pups!
My email is virginiadare2013@gmail.com.
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