What is dog socialization? This is a fundamental process of raising a puppy or an adult. Dogs, like humans, have both innate instincts and acquired ones. All that you give them is socialization: accustoming to life in a society with people and other animals. In this article, we will consider the rules of socializing a pet in stages, because it is conducted from birth and throughout life. There are nuances here - raising a puppy who has fallen into your hands of an adult dog from other people or from a shelter.
Why do we need socialization?
If you need an adequate, safe and obedient dog, then you need to socialize it. We take children to kindergartens and schools, teach the rules of behavior in society and at home, learn to communicate with other people and animals. Only through an adult will a child become social. So is the dog. You can’t get a good animal if you just keep it in the house or in the aviary, walking from time to time. The dog must be able to behave correctly in the society of other animals and people.
Socialization of the pet in different periods
It is worth paying special attention to the socialization of the dog. Acquaintance with the outside world and accustom to live according to the established rules is not an easy task, but it is quite feasible. Training and socialization depend on the period. The most fruitful for both the dog and the owner - at a young age, up to a year. If some nuances are missed during this period, then the probability of an adequate response to these little things at an older age is practically zero. Do not think that the behavior of the dog and its mental abilities depend on the breed, this is not so. The socialization of the dog depends on the owner.
Stages of socialization
The periods of the animal’s life can be divided into several stages:
- From birth to three weeks, the dog lives on innate instincts. All life processes pass through unconditioned reflexes. By the 18th day of life, dogs have hearing, eyesight, they begin to respond to the outside world, and by this time they already have a little life experience. By day 21, the initial socialization of the dog appears - it can stand and move, reacts to stimuli - light and sound.
- From three weeks to one month, initial socialization continues to develop. Kids are already moving away from their mother, playing with each other, their behavior is forming.
- From a month to four, the second stage of socialization begins to take shape. At this time, puppies can already exist independently, they are friendly and are happy to make contact with any person and animal. At this time, there are simply no strangers to animals.
- From four months to six months, puppies continue to shape behavior and character, they are very active and restless.
- From six months to a year - the last stage of socialization. At this time, animals are already familiar with the world, for them there is the concept of "friends and foes", character is finally formed, puberty sets in. During this period, the dog learns the potential dangers emanating from the outside world (plants, fire, water and so on) and from people and animals.
- From a year to three years, behavior is finally formed. Almost completed physical and mental development.
- From three to eight years old - a creature fully formed morally and physically. Potential opportunities may open during this period.
- From eight to twelve years old - an elderly dog who may have problems not only with health, but also with behavior. Often the dog begins to behave differently due to hidden or obvious diseases, and blaming him or his master for the lack of education is simply ridiculous.
Socialization in relation to people
There are differences in the socialization of the dog to other dogs and people, which we will now examine. Socialization in relation to people is a dog’s communication with the owner, its relation to guests and just passers-by on the street.
Direct communication between a dog and a person begins at the age of three weeks - if the puppy is born at home. The owner begins to pick up the baby, not only for inspection and cleaning, but also for the initial acquaintance. This experience is necessary for the puppy, it will help in further communication with people, and in the future the dog will be able to become good, adequately responsive to people.
Until the age of seven weeks, this is a favorable period for the formation of a relationship with a dog. During this period, the puppy's behavior in relation to the person is laid - the absence of fear, trust.
It is necessary to contact the animal as often as possible. If you want your dog to adequately respond to people, then up to a year it can not be closed from society. It is not necessary to train the dog to love everyone, but to at least react to outsiders indifferently - without alertness, fear or aggression.
Safety for others
With the dog you need to spend as much time as possible surrounded by other people. From puppyhood, walk in crowded places, the dog should see other people, and not just its owners and rare passers-by. This is the only way to achieve an indifferent attitude of a dog towards those passing by, otherwise at a more mature age, when the dog sees a new person for herself, she will begin to break off the leash in order to meet: sniff, play.
The dog will become as safe as possible for you and others, only if he understands that he can live in the world of people according to certain rules - this is where training begins. A family dog must be obedient, otherwise it can be dangerous for members of its family. If you need a dog not a companion, but a guard, then you need to more carefully train your pet. Without a command, the dog should be calm, friendly to family members and indifferent to guests and passers-by.
The socialization of dogs in the city
Often puppies or adult dogs fall into the hands of new owners from a quiet and calm suburb, because nurseries and shelters are not located in the city! In this case, the dog may show cowardice, inadequacy. It should be understood that at first this is the norm, but you need to quickly adapt the pet to new living conditions.
With the socialization of the dog in the city can not be cruel. It is strictly forbidden to tug on a leash during walking, to swear if the dog refuses to do something. Dog socialization courses by professional dog handlers are ideal. Professionals will help the dog adapt to new conditions as quickly as possible.
If there is no opportunity or time for going to the dog handlers, then three components will be required: love, patience, rigor. In no case do not let the dog take over, pitying it, literally and figuratively, carrying it on your hands. Walk more, treat yourself to goodies with good behavior, and bad ones with bad behavior. Show that the city is not scary, everyone around is friendly.
Socialization to other puppy animals
The socialization of the dog to other dogs begins with the mother and brothers. Puppies play, bite each other and thus understand what pain is, learn to calculate the strength of a bite so as not to harm the brothers. This is the most fruitful stage for adapting to life with your own kind.
If you need the dog to adequately respond to other dogs while walking, rather than dragging you on a leash to get to know them or, which is extremely dangerous, starting to show aggression towards your own kind, then from puppyhood often visit parks where dogs of different dogs walk rocks. Attend exhibitions, even just as spectators, the dog must see and hear other dogs from childhood, be able to contact with them.
Socialization to other adult animals
Socializing an adult dog to other animals is difficult if the dog was kept without contact with other dogs and cats. The dog will be afraid of other people's animals, may react aggressively to them.
On the street, if you meet a dog or a cat along the way, guide your dog along the arc, distracting from the object. If you went quietly, then treat yourself to a treat.
If you are not sure that the dog responds adequately to his brothers, then do not let him off the leash while walking. Walk at a time when it is not likely to meet other walking dogs on the way. Take your pet to the place of walking, but do not start behind the fence until you understand that the dog reacts to other dogs adequately - is not afraid and does not show aggression. If this is the case, then only professional dog handlers can help.
Socialization of the dog from the shelter
As a rule, dogs taken from the shelter adequately relate to other animals, but not always to people, as they have little trust in them. To take a dog from a shelter, you first need to walk with him for several days in the territory of his current home to get used to each other.
Already at home you need to show that no one will offend or abandon the dog, it is safe. But you also need to show that the leader is you, not the dog. At first, try to be at home - take a vacation or days without maintenance. Next, begin to leave for a short time, and it is advisable that during this period someone was in the house.
On walks, dogs from the shelter cuddle at their feet, they are afraid to be on the street again, so the first walks should be short. While walking, give the new pet goodies.
Socializing a dog from a shelter, especially if it is already an adult, will be difficult. You need to be patient in order to succeed.
If the dog is taken from other owners
Some dog owners give up their pets for a variety of reasons. If you decide to take an adult dog from other people to yourself, then first of all, find out the real reason for their refusal, so as not to encounter surprises at home. For example, a dog may be deprived of any upbringing, starting with walking and ending with manifestations of aggression towards guests or even family members.
If you are ready to shelter a refuser, then at first be prepared for the cowardice of the pet or its dirty tricks. You will face two tasks:
- Show that the dog is safe.
- Show who is the boss.
Dog handlers to help
It is worth noting that turning to professionals will help to solve a lot of various problems. For example, dog socialization groups in the Central District of St. Petersburg will help owners with the upbringing and training of not only puppies, but also adults. There are many such establishments: a sports advisory center for dogs and their owners, SPD "Balkanskaya", "Granat" and many others.
In such groups they will help with the socialization of dogs: both puppies and adults, upbringing and training, they will teach sledding, rescue work, instill protective qualities.
If you are not sure that you yourself are able to make an adequate, smart and well-bred pet out of your dog, then entrust this to professionals, and you will never have problems with an animal!