Re: Socialization of Dogs

[JEvans]

>So my questions are: Is it just genetics that determine this type of trait?
I>s it the socialization at a very young age? Does the puppy school make that
>much of a difference in the social behaviour of dogs? Can anyone shed any
l>ight on this??

Certainly a genetically timid dog could show the behaviors you mention, and even if well
socialized can still show fear. If the dog lacks socialization in early critical periods
or experiences trauma (that can be different for each dog!) in a fear period, then the dog
can later have problems specific to that trauma or even generalized, *global* fear.
There is a second fear period that dogs experience anywhere from between about 4 to 10
months, lasting a few weeks, wherein the dogs are skittish even in situations they had
previously been fine in. Trauma in that period can also have negative effects on the dog.
It's important during both the early period and later to keep things upbeat and safe for the
dog. Giving lots of praise for desired behaviors with food rewards, not forcing a dog to go up
to someone or accept petting, and also _not_ coddling the fearful/timid responses is helpful. To most dogs, food = good, so they make the association that: person approaching means I get lots of really yummie food while I sit calmly, paying attention to my owner, cool! If they are too afraid to take food or about to harm themselves or others or threaten to do so, then get them out of the situation and find someone/some way to work with you and the pup to make life as good as it can be! (I'm talking about *you* in general, not Jennifer)
On the other hand, some more assertive, friendly dogs might miss all opportunity for
socialization and still turn out to be the best therapy dog ever. It really can be due to
genetics or experience.

Also, IMVHO: a puppy class tailored to pups between ages about 8 weeks to 4 months is
the very best thing you can do for a dog! The good puppy class will be structured for some
puppy play time, lots and lots of socialization and desensitization to people, noises, objects, surfaces and will use food to desensitize the pups to scary things. (people in hats, with beards, children, vet procedures (mock), other pups, puppy agility obstacles, etc!!) There would also be good instruction on operant conditioning and teach the owners how to use the techniques
as well as work on bite inhibition and some basic obedience like sit, down come. There would
not be any punishment nor choke or prong collars used. The pups will learn to offer behaviors and owners learn that their job is to pick which ones to reward.

A pup's development can also be affected/enhanced by earlier experience provided not only
by the litter and mother, but by the breeder. Things like handling, exposure to temperature
changes (brief), while the pups are quite young have been shown to enhance later development!

That's way more than I intended to write, but I just think that good puppy classes do so much
good for pups and owners that I got a little carried away....

Jill with Indie and Gabby