Puppy Prep School
Proper socialization will help ensure a happy, healthy friend for life.
by Gary Wilkes
Twenty years ago I managed a small humane society in Oregon. It was a common occurrence for local farmers to bring excess "barn cats" to us. These cats were often literally born in a barn and allowed to mature without any direct contact with humans. By 4 or 5 weeks of age, they were as wild as any bobcat, and the chance of making them affectionate pets had been lost. If you are wondering how an article about wild kittens slipped into the annual puppy issue, read on.
One summer day a farmer drove up to the shelter in one of those huge, late '60s cars and announced he had a load of "young critters" to give to us. When he popped the lid on the trunk, I was prepared for a melee of wild kittens hissing and spitting their displeasure at me. What I saw was a shock. Inside the trunk were a dozen, 12-week-old purebred Collie puppies--the product of an unplanned mating. They were blinking in the bright sunlight after their confinement in the dark trunk. As I bent down to grab the first one, the farmer offered a word of advice: "Mind how you do that--they haven't been out of the barn until now."
I barely caught the implication of his words as the foremost of the puppies bit my thumb with a vengeance. I discovered that barn puppies are very much like barn cats in that they do not like being grabbed by strange human beings. These cute, but hopelessly fearful puppies, were living proof that much of what we think of as domestication is the result of two processes--socialization and habituation.
Simply stated, socialization is the process of teaching an animal how to interact with humans, while habituation is the process of teaching and animal to ignore or accept things in the environment. While it is often assumed that dogs have been genetically programmed for these tasks, the process is not automatic. Unless a pup is properly exposed to a variety of experiences at an early age, it will be difficult or impossible for it to correctly adapt to a life among humans. Left to their own devices, puppies tend to grow into animals that are fearful, destructive, messy, aggressive and dangerous. My experience with that first load of barn puppies was repeated many times over the years with consistent results. Poorly socialized puppies do not make good pet dogs.
Ensuring that your dog won't become a danger to yourself and others starts with actively planning your pup's socialization and habituation. Here is a short list of some of the more important aspects of proper socialization. You may have to adapt these suggestions to fit your particular lifestyle.
1. Getting to know you
Unless you are a breeder, your puppy has already had some contact with people other than you. The process of meeting new people should be maintained throughout the pup's first year. The first few days with your puppy can make a big difference in the way your adult dog will react to strangers. If you begin your relationship with lots of rough handling and punishment, the pup may decide humans should be feared until proven friendly. You will increase your chance of success if your puppy's first days with you are filed with lots of hugs and treats.
2. Loud and unusual noises
A common complaint of dog owners is that their dog is afraid of noises such as vacuum cleaners, fireworks, and thunder. A simple way to prevent this type of reaction is to begin your pup's habituation to loud noises immediately. Start by clapping your hands loudly. When the pup startles at the sound, pick it up and hold it until it calms down. Another way to habituate your pup to noises is to invest in a sound effects CD. Have a play session with the pup while the sounds are playing softly in the background. Over a period of several days or weeks, gradually increase the volume until the sounds are loud. Your goal is to teach the dog to ignore sounds that might otherwise cause a fearful reaction.
3. Dogs are not naturally good with strangers or children
Many dogs are naturally aggressive toward strangers. Most of them are highly territorial and will defend their family against perceived threats. Overcoming this problem is a matter of offering the pup many opportunities to meet new people People who offer treats and affection soon come to be looked upon as friends of the family. Contrary to popular belief, this will not prevent the dog from barking at intruders. Real burglars and bad guys are rarely invited into the home, and a well-socialized dog can tell the difference between a welcome guest and a skulking intruder.
Another obstacle that must be avoided is your pup's natural reaction to children. A puppy usually perceives a child in one of two ways--as a playmate or a demon. If the pup relates to the child as a playmate, it will romp and play in puppy fashion with lots of licking, leaping and biting. Unless the biting is curbed, an accidental nip is inevitable. If the puppy perceives children as screaming, running, poking, flopping and hitting biped demons, there will come a day when the pup turns into a dog and decides the abuse has gone far enough.
Herding breeds that are highly programmed to chase and nip may have problems with children and nipping at a very early age. The solution is early exposure to children under your watchful eye. If the children are yours and you cannot control the rough handling they inflict on your puppy, you can expect the puppy will someday return the favor by inflicting some rough handling back on the children.
4. Your puppy needs to learn how to accept other animals
Even if you do not have other pets, it is still a good idea to teach your pup to refrain from attacking other dogs or cats. Many communities are creating fenced dog parks that can keep your puppy's canine social skills sharp. Pups that live only with humans after they leave the litter often become fearfully aggressive toward other dogs. Caution: "Because of infectious diseases such a parvovirus, it is best to ask your veterinarian about when and how to allow your puppy to associate with other dogs.
5. Riding in a car
Whether or not you intend to take your dog with you on a regular basis, traveling by car is a necessary part of a dog's life. Unless you use a mobile veterinarian and groomer, occasional care trips are going to occur. The best course of action is to get your puppy accustomed to the car from the moment you bring it home.
The simplest way to do that is to hold and cuddle the pup in a stationary car. The next step is to take the pup on a short ride around the block. By gradually extending the distance, you can teach it to accept movements and noises associated with automobiles. To reduce the chance of motion sickness, allow the puppy to see outside the car rather than having it ride on the floorboard.
6. Veterinary care
Some of the most important social events in your dog's life will be regular visits to the veterinarian. Medical treatment often causes pain and discomfort. Even simple nail trimming can be disconcerting. Teaching your pup to be comfortable at the veterinarian's office may require a few visits when medical procedures are not performed. Most veterinarians welcome your efforts to properly socialize your dog in their examination rooms.
7. Grooming
While many breeds require minimal grooming, a bath or flea dip is occasionally necessary, even for short-coated dogs. This process is best taught while the puppy is still very young. The more you work on the grooming and handling necessary for proper care, the fewer problems you will encounter later. Like veterinarians, good groomers welcome the chance to get to know your pup. Ask the groomer to show you the particular types of care that will be typical for your dog and then be willing to practice them at home.
8. Boarding
Boarding a puppy at a kennel a few times is highly beneficial. If your dog is ever ill and must stay at a veterinary clinic, it will have been exposed to the sights and sounds of kennel life. If your dog has never experienced this and then must cope with an illness and adapting to a strange environment, getting well will be doubly difficult.
9. House training
Some owners decide their dog should live outdoors. Even if this is your goal, having a dog that is not properly habituated to the indoors is often impractical. In the event of an injury or medical treatment that requires the dog to be indoors, your are better off if you have already taught your outdoor dog to be polite in the house. If your pup learns to respect your home at an early age, the lessons will probably last a lifetime.
Proper socialization and habituation are key ingredients to a well-adjusted and happy dog. Planning your pup's early life to include the experiences that will be important later is as critical to your pup's development as vaccinations, proper nutrition and obedience training.Gary Wilkes is a respected animal behavior specialist, award-winning newspaper and magazine columnist and the author of A Behavior Sampler, available from Sunshine Books; (800) 472-5425