One of the main causes for bad behaviour among dogs is the lack of socializing when it was a young puppy. Aggressive behaviour, nervousness, howling, destructiveness and lack of house training often have their root cause in the way that the dog was first brought up as a puppy.

A young puppy needs to be exposed to as many different and new experiences as possible to prepare them for later life. Dogs that have not had this early socialisation may grow up to be fearful of people, things and places and this can lead to many problems including aggression. Socialisation can be described as the process whereby an animal learns how to recognise and interact with the species with which it cohabits. In the wild this is likely to be limited to the animal’s own species, but for the domestic dog it includes other species such as humans and cats. By learning how to interact with other creatures the socialised dog develops communication skills which enable it to recognise whether or not it is being threatened and how to recognise and respond to the intentions of others. A properly socialized puppy is well adjusted and makes a good companion. It is neither frightened by nor aggressive towards anyone or anything that it would normally meet in an everyday situation. An un-socialized dog is untrustworthy and can be a liability. They often become fear-biters. Often they like to fight with other dogs. They are difficult to train and are generally unpleasant to be around. Dogs that have not been properly socialized cannot adapt to new situations and a simple routine visit to the vet is a nightmare not only for the dog itself, but for everyone involved.

Socialization most easily occurs before the puppy is 3 months old. Any later than that and it becomes an extremely difficult and time-consuming process. When you first introduce a new puppy into your home it is important to get it accustomed to many different sights and sounds. Slowly introduce it to the things in your household. If your puppy growls at an object or person, do not pick him up and cuddle him. This reaction will be rewarding to your puppy, and will intensify the dog’s behaviour. It will teach him that the way to react to fear is to growl. Growling can lead to biting. The puppy should be corrected, much like a mother dog would do to her own puppy. It is important to be firm and consistent. Tell him ‘NO’ and then show him the object and reassure him that there is nothing to be fearful of. Take your puppy out as often as you can. We realise that a puppy cannot be walked in the street until it has had its course of injections, but you can still carry him in your arms and walk him down the road to accustom him to things like traffic. Show him all kinds of sights, sounds, people and animals, but do be careful when introducing your puppy to other dogs and animals if you are unsure of their behaviour. Know your dog’s traits and use your best judgment. Always correct your puppy if he shows any signs of aggression or domination toward another animal or person. Do not dismiss it as being cute behaviour. Teach your children to respect the puppy, and teach your puppy to respect your children. Never tolerate growling. Growling is unacceptable and can be the first sign that your dog thinks he is, or is trying to be the top dog in the pack and you must ensure that he knows that you are top dog.

It is also a good idea to introduce friends over to meet your pup so that it soon gets used to seeing lots of different people such as old people, young children, men and women. Once the puppy has had its vaccinations allow it to meet other friendly dogs and even dog friendly cats. Even before it has had its injections you could carry him to places where there is lots of activity such as a shopping area or outside a school playground. Make a fuss of the puppy and he would become oblivious to all the hubbub and simply think that it’s all fun. It is also very important to take the puppy on short car rides, even if it is a quick drive around the block. One of the main reasons why dogs suffer from car sickness is because they were not introduced to car journeys as young puppies. Introduce your puppy to all manner of items such as umbrellas, bags, boxes, the vacuum cleaner, etc. Encourage your puppy to explore and investigate his environment and also introduce to new and varied sounds. Loud, obnoxious sounds should be introduced from a distance and gradually brought closer. Even though he may not have much coat you should still get him used to being brushed and groomed each day and also get him used to a toothbrush even if you just rub it very gently against his tiny teeth for a few moments as you make a fuss of him. This way he will get used to the brush as he gets older and requires regular brushing.

Dennis and Tina Homes