Well, you were right! Re: Puppies and socialization.

[RemsMom]

One thing you need to know about me is that I worry.....about everything. I was so worried about Nattie and getting her properly socialized and keeping her away from all the nasty diseases that puppies can get. In spite of my worry I took Nattie (almost) everywhere. I carried her around PetSmart and Home Depot. I took her to agility class where my daughter was working other dogs. Except for at night when she slept in her crate our little puppy was rarely left alone.

 

The result? Nattie loves all the people and almost all the dogs she meets. She met one dog, a Bouvier, that she was afraid of (The owner said that many dogs don't like her dog and she thinks it is because his eyes are hidden). If Nattie sees something she doesn't like she stands a little behind me and watches and waits for my response. The other day we saw a women with a child in a stroller and a three year old. I wondered how Nattie would respond to the three year old because she has never been around small children. She spent all of her time doing play bows and making this cute noise to try to get his attention. Nattie so wanted to greet this unusual small person.

 

On the other hand. I met someone with a BC a little younger than Nattie. The owner said that they didn't let their puppy out until after she had all her puppy shots and now they are worried about aggression issues. When their puppy sees something new she growls and barks aggressively and they are very concerned about her behavior.

[Sekah]

Glad you're experiencing such a great puppyhood!

 

Socialization is very important, but there's also a hefty genetic component when it comes to determining a dog's boldness or shyness. Correlation =/= causation -- I wouldn't automatically assume that this fearful pup is fearful solely due to a limited socialization process. That said, keep bringing your pup out and about and ensuring that new experiences are positive ones!

 

While it doesn't sound like you need any help (yay!), here's a great article that covers some of the how-tos of socialization: Don't Socialize the Dog! http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3953

[CptJack]

MEANWHILE, to confirm hefty genetic component:

Molly went with us everywhere, has been to classes and dog events (agility trials, flyball, etc.), pet stores, parks, sporting events, home improvement stores, all of it. She has been more socialized than any dog I've had before. She is an easily frustrated, wary, sharp and sometimes fearful of things dog. You are NOT going to touch her the first time (or first few times) you meet her, the first time she meets a strange dog, she's going to observe and if it's too close, somewhere she doesn't expect dogs or dogs who are too forward/rude she's going to hackle up and snarl, growl, bark, and either try to run away or chase it.

 

It started about a month ago. She was never afraid of or reactive ANYTHING before that, and she saw a lot. She was fine and then she wasn't.

 

I'm sure hormones and a fear period are contributing, but that's not all of it. We're working through it. My ultimate goal is in reach, but that ultimate goal is 'Hey, see that weird stuff? It's not important. Focus on me'. The goal for me is not 'friendly, loves everybody dog'. Because she's NOT a friendly, laid back dog that loves everybody. No amount of having strangers feed her treats and seeing them can make her one. She's sharp and reactive. The end.

Thud, meanwhile, didn't leave our house and property until he was over 6 months old (he was seriously ill for a long time) and loves everyone and everything. Little bit protective around the house and car, but rock solid temperament.

 

Please, from someone dealing with a dog who sometimes acts like a fool don't assume it's because someone didn't socialize (or more accurately just kept the dog at home/didn't do anything with it). Dogs have personalities, and all the socializing in the world won't turn a dog genetically predisposed toward being wary, fearful, aloof, or whatever else into a golden retriever.

The article above is a really good one.

[moosikins]

Our 6 month old puppy is extremely friendly like yours and we did the same thing - we always took her everywhere, even if we had to carry her around to avoid extra nasty germs. She loves people so much that she gets visibly disappointed when they don't pet her. She'll walk alongside me and wag her tail like crazy. Her nose points in the direction of people passing by and she tugs on the leash gently (but doesn't pull, she's a good walker).

 

If someone ignores her she'll hang her head, look after them longingly, and her tail drops down. Children are especially exciting and fun. Somehow she just knows to be gentle and sweet with little people.

[Sue R]

You can do everything "wrong" and your dog comes out "right", and you can do everything "right" and your dog comes out "wrong". Genetics plus environment. However, if you don't do your best to do "right" by your dog, you'd have no one to blame but yourself.

 

Kudos on a good job!

[CptJack]

You can do everything "wrong" and your dog comes out "right", and you can do everything "right" and your dog comes out "wrong". Genetics plus environment. However, if you don't do your best to do "right" by your dog, you'd have no one to blame but yourself.

 

Kudos on a good job!

 

Pretty much all of that.

 

And in fairness I can not imagine what kind of wreck Molly would be without socialization. She's not bad now, she's just... not a laid back dog who likes everyone, either.

[mum24dog]

I wouldn't say my pup has had a huge amount of socialisation but he has had what he needs for the life he will lead.

 

I have taken a broad brush approach rather than itemising each thing he needs to meet by a certain age.

 

First outings were to play pass the puppy at agility training.

 

Outside we started low key with walks along the canal where he would meet a few dogs and people each time but not be overwhelmed. Strange noises, chugging narrow boats, ducks and swans, sheep too.

 

Lots of trips in the car without the other dogs so he can see and hear all sorts of potentially scary things from a position of safety.

 

Walking alongside my baby grandaughter's buggy and generally getting used to her.

 

Traffic exposure started by parking a little further from the vets than I needed and carrying him along a busy road then moving on to crossing the same road on lead.

 

Making sure he is OK with people coming to the house.

 

Leaving him at the kennels for a day.

 

Regular visits to training (but no training classes) meeting more and more carefully chosen dogs and eventually being able to thoroughly enjoy being able to go to agility shows.

 

Everything under my control and, as that article recommends, allowing him the opportunity to retreat, although he hardly ever did. The only time I can remember was when he was introduced to horses for the first time.

 

However, I chose him because of the breeder's claim to breed for good temperament and the evidence of my own contact with dogs they produce.

 

But I am not complacent. He is 4.5 months old and coming up to a fear period so I will be treading very carefully with him over the next few months. I don't want to risk the effect of his good experiences so far by assuming that he will always be able to shrug off the things he can now.

[RemsMom]

I know genetics and personality play a big part in how a dog reacts to its environment.

 

CptJack, my GSD did not get out much as a puppy and he is the most easy-going, mellow dog. Nothing phases my GSD and I know it it just the way he is. He is protective of the house so if someone pulls into the driveway he will bark his head off but a sonic boom that rattles the windows? He just keeps napping and won't even bother to open his eyes. And things with Nattie have not always been perfect. Nattie went through a period of about three weeks where she was afraid of noises. I was just about to ask for advice on these forums and take her to the vet. She was afraid of traffic, airplanes, helicopters, noises around the house. Once the cat knocked a book off my desk and I spent a half hour working with Nattie so she wouldn't be afraid of the book.

 

I just found it very interesting to meet someone who was having problems with their puppy and they said their puppy never went anywhere until after four months of age.

[RemsMom]

I wanted to add that I wasn't judging the owners of the puppy. They did what they thought best with the information they had. I came very close to doing the exact same thing with Nattie. I was planning to keep her in a bubble until she had all her shots. After all, it worked out just fine for my GSD. Then I read these forums, talked to my vet, and talked to a couple of people who train dogs for a living and was convinced to change my plan for my pup.