Socialisation – a trendy buzzword that seems to pop up in every corner of the Internet. It is often confused with habituation, it somewhat clashes with the post-vaccination quarantine period, and in the end… hardly anyone knows how to carry it out properly. If a dog is going to join your family and at the same time you do NOT plan to go mad – be sure to read this article!
What is dog socialisation? What is worth knowing about puppy socialisation?
The process of socialisation is a time in which young individuals are deliberately and positively exposed to a variety of social and environmental stimuli, such as people, other animals, sounds and new places. The key socialisation period falls between the 3rd and 14th week of a puppy’s life, when its nervous system is particularly susceptible to shaping emotional and behavioural responses. Proper socialisation at the time when a dog is most open can prevent many problems in adult life, such as fearfulness or aggression. Research shows that proper dog socialisation, that is, building a base of positive experiences with other living beings – people and animals – and with the world at a young age, is a key process in increasing the ability to cope with stress.
All right, we already have a definition. So what is socialisation NOT? We must distinguish it from habituation, that is, passive getting used to the surroundings.
Socialisation vs habituation – differences
Habituation, unlike socialisation, consists in the gradual fading of reactions to repeated, neutral environmental factors, such as household noises and street traffic. It is a passive process in which the dog learns to IGNORE, but not necessarily to COPE. In practice, effective socialisation often uses elements of habituation, however the key is to ensure that the first experiences with new stimuli are positive, which prevents fears and phobias from developing in the future. This means that taking a puppy in your arms to a crowded restaurant in a shopping centre, where it will passively and fearfully observe everything around it, will not be a good way to carry out socialisation.
How proper socialisation should look IN PRACTICE
It is the art of looking for the golden mean. We are looking for a balance between flooding with stimuli, that is, exposing the dog to too many too difficult situations too quickly and without a plan for how to help the dog cope when it has contact with people and other dogs, and keeping it in isolation for too long, which will make it bored, frustrated and then overwhelmed by the outside world.
Does it sound like a huge responsibility? It really is, and a lack of proper socialisation has a huge impact on quality of life. But don’t panic. If you want to socialise your dog properly after bringing it into a new home – read on!
Puppy socialisation – start as early as possible to avoid unwanted dog behaviour
The socialisation window is a key period of early development, lasting from around the 3rd to the 14th week of life. At this stage of life, the nervous system is exceptionally flexible, which means that the dog is most open to new situations during this time. This is when it is easiest to learn basic commands and to begin socialisation. Proper socialisation during the puppy period, based on the positive and gradual introduction of new experiences, such as introducing the dog to people and other animals, and exposure to new places, is crucial for preventing behavioural problems in the dog’s adult life.
A lack of puppy socialisation until they have completed the full vaccination cycle, that is until about the 16th week, can lead to the loss of this key developmental period. Although concerns about the risk of infections are justified, many experts, including the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, recommend starting socialisation before the completion of the full vaccination cycle, provided that appropriate precautions are observed.
I cannot tell you whether to choose socialisation or quarantine. I do, however, recommend consulting specialists – a trusted vet and a good behaviourist or animal psychologist – and jointly establishing a plan of action that is right for you.
My tips for overcoming this difficult situation:
- Remember that a breeder should take care of a puppy’s early development! Choose a kennel, foundation or foster home where the litter has not been kept in isolation from the world and where you can meet the puppies earlier.
- Early socialisation is a process you can start without going outside. Take care of sensory experiences in the safe space of your home and/or your garden – let the puppy experience different surfaces, overcome safe obstacles, get to know the world and observe it during changing times of day and weather.
- Consider buying a socialisation carrier for safe carrying, from which the animal can slowly get used to the world, while its contact with other individuals will be under control.
Dog socialisation with other dogs – how to begin
First of all – with your head on straight! The basis is a well-thought-out socialisation plan. Before the new pet arrives under your roof, ask friends who own calm, stable dogs for help. If their dogs are healthy, well cared for and vaccinated and dewormed, they can quite safely meet the canine baby. Remember that youngsters should mainly meet adult dogs who will want to teach them manners and communication with other members of the species. Wild antics and pushing without restraint will not be so cute once the pet grows up!
Next – avoid dog parks, runs and meadows where many carers stand in one place and watch their charges ‘play’. Why the inverted commas? Because such large groups of dogs who do not know each other very well most often are not playing at all, but competing and harassing weaker individuals – and your puppy will probably be the weakest there. Such situations are stressful and can lead to fears or aggression.
So what should making contact with other dogs look like? Introduce your dog to various, but KNOWN TO YOU dogs and go on walks together, because walks are an excellent opportunity to get used to new places in the company of an older friend who will show the youngster how to react to various stimuli that it should get to know. Thanks to learning through modelling and observation, the young dog will be better adapted to life in the human world.
Socialising your dog with people. How should I accustom a dog to humans?
Our golden rule here will be ‘don’t overdo it’. Of course it is important to introduce the dog to a new environment and its inhabitants, but let us remember that the touch of a stranger will probably not be pleasant for it. So put yourself in the role of your friend’s advocate and make sure that others respect its boundaries. Even a small, fluffy and adorable creature has the right to be in a public space without being touched, carried and pestered. If a young dog’s contact with people from the beginning boils down to being stroked without the possibility of calmly sniffing the person, this can lead to behavioural problems.
Your priority should be building a relationship with your charge and respecting the dog’s needs – including when this means being assertive towards passers-by. If we want to have a balanced dog that does not jump at every person it passes, we should socialise the puppy with those people it should get to know for its comfort – close ones, the vet, a narrow group of other dog carers. Introduce new people (just like unfamiliar dogs) gradually. We can also reward the four-legged friend for calmly being around strangers without the need to be cuddled by them.
What mistakes should be avoided in order to socialise effectively?
- Remember that the path to raising a dog is a process that never ends.
- You must take care of your dog and its relationships with other species, people and dogs throughout its entire life. Continuous but well-thought-out socialisation of an adult dog is something we should not neglect.
- Walks outside the city in the company of canine mates are an excellent opportunity for socialisation – make time for them.
- Try to get the puppy used to grooming and medical procedures in the form of play. Getting a dog used to different forms of touch will make life easier for you and the vet.
- Focus less on commands, prohibitions and training, and more on your dog experiencing the world and having your support.
- Avoid haste – think through and plan each next stage of socialisation.
- Do not treat the fact that your young dog needs your attention as an unpleasant duty. Having a dog begins a new, exciting stage in your life.
