Socialising
Socialisation teaches our dogs that they live in a world surrounded by various strange and wonderful things and gives them the tools to help them interact with this world appropriately.
What:
Socialising involves behaving in a manner that is acceptable by society, and lerning how to interact and mix with others.
Why:
A well-socialised dog is less likely to react poorly in new situations. They are easier to take places and are often welcomed by other people and animals. Good socialisation also reduces the chances of Trigger stacking, by reducing the amount of things that trigger the dog.
When:
Socialising starts as early as 0 – 8 weeks old. This time is usually spent with the mother and siblings and good reputed breeders will start exposing their puppies to a lot of different stimulus to help them get the best start in life.
When a puppy comes into their new home, the first 8-16 weeks are a critical socialising period, where the young pup is eager to learn and understand their new world and everything in it.
Socialising doesn't end there and should continue throughout your dog’s life to ensure that the objects listed below remain a positive experience.
When a puppy comes into their new home, the first 8-16 weeks are a critical socialising period, where the young pup is eager to learn and understand their new world and everything in it.
Socialising doesn't end there and should continue throughout your dog’s life to ensure that the objects listed below remain a positive experience.
How:
To socialise a dog, expose them to a trigger like the ones listed below and teach them what you would like them to do when they encounter it the next time. The next time they encounter the same trigger or something similar, mark and reward the dog for doing what you taught them to do the first time.
For example, when encountering the postman you can teach your dog to sit quietly and observe them or simply to ignore them, and go sniff in the opposite direction. Every time they see the postman, reward the dog for sitting and watching them or ignoring them to sniff something else.
Reward curiosity and calm behaviour towards new and unusual objects, and reward and praise your dog to build a positive association.
If your dog shows fear or barks and growls DO NOT SHOUT OR PUNISH THEM, this will make it worse. Simply increase the distance, and when they are far away to calm down, reward them for observing the trigger and slowly go closer to the stimulus at your dog's pace. You can also use shaping, desensitization and counterconditioning to help your dog. You Do not increase fear by rewarding your dog.
Patience is the key. 5 minutes extra in the start will save you hours of coaxing in the future.
For example, when encountering the postman you can teach your dog to sit quietly and observe them or simply to ignore them, and go sniff in the opposite direction. Every time they see the postman, reward the dog for sitting and watching them or ignoring them to sniff something else.
Reward curiosity and calm behaviour towards new and unusual objects, and reward and praise your dog to build a positive association.
If your dog shows fear or barks and growls DO NOT SHOUT OR PUNISH THEM, this will make it worse. Simply increase the distance, and when they are far away to calm down, reward them for observing the trigger and slowly go closer to the stimulus at your dog's pace. You can also use shaping, desensitization and counterconditioning to help your dog. You Do not increase fear by rewarding your dog.
Patience is the key. 5 minutes extra in the start will save you hours of coaxing in the future.
Socialising Checklist
This list is simply a guide. You should always exercise caution to ensure you / your dogs, and the public are safe during any exercise. It is advised to have your dog on a lead or in control during socialising.
People
- All genders
- All ages (babies, toddlers, kids, teenagers, adults, elderly)
- Wearing fluoro /uniforms / police / firemen / large overcoats
- Walking, running, sitting, sleeping
- Dressed in hats and costumes, with sunnies,
- Walking canes and umbrellas
- Different ethnicities
- Beards / bald
- Loudly talking, laughing, shouting
- Playing with toys and balls
- People who move unusually, as if they are drunk, old or injured.
- People moving with mobility aids.
Animals and animal sounds
- Cats
- Dogs of all ages (Puppy adolescents, adults, elderly)
- Dogs of all sizes (Toy dogs, medium, large, giant breeds)
- Birds
- Rabbits
- Rodents, guinea pigs.
- Poultry
- Domestic animals like Horses, llamas, cows, deer, sheep, goats, and pigs
- Wild animals
Noises
- Doorbell, knocking, door slams, door clicks.
- Musical instruments
- Other dogs barking
- Squeaking toys
- Paper crinkle
- Metal gate clicks and slams
- Sirens
- Fireworks, thunder, loud bangs
- Car horns
- Rain, storm, strong wind
- Whistles, wind chimes
- TV / radio / music
- Cars backfire / loud exhausts / screeching tyres / revving engines
- Trucks/trains/ aeroplanes
- Bicycle bells
- Motorcycles
- Household items such as vacuum cleaners / lawnmowers / microwave / dishwashers / fridge compressors / fans / ACs / Hair dryers
- Garbage truck
- Courier deliveries
- Parties / at home and next door
- People and animals' sounds, on the other side of the fence.
- Road crossing noises
Toys
- Hard chew toys
- Soft plush toys
- Stringy or soft tug toys
- Noisy toys
- Drones and RC toys
- Toys that are not theirs
Environments
- Water
- Sand
- Beach/river/lakes/hills/Parks/children's playgrounds
- Grass fake & real
- Tile / concrete / bitumen / carpet / laminate / wood / gravel / mud / puddles
- Parks/ playgrounds
- Vets
- Shops (Bunnings + More)
- Dog cafes
- Indoor & outdoor venues
- Schools
- Pet shops
- Cars
- Stairs/ lifts (Not Escalators)
- Dog Tunnels or similar confined spaces
- Footbridges
- Busy roads
- Boats
- Crates
Handling
- Being handled all over (nose, ears, feet, tail, muzzle, gums, thigh, leg pits, paws)
- Collar holds/ lead clicks
- Being restrained on a lead
- Being groomed (different brushes)
- Bath time
- Clipping nails / checking paws / cleaning eyes & ears
- Being dried with a towel and a hair dryer
- Being bandaged
- Being restrained by other people.
- Standing on a table or lying down with a human examining
- Teeth brushing/checking
- Wearing a harness
- Wearing a muzzle
Objects
- Shoes / socks
- Umbrellas / rain coats / jackets
- Balloons / bubbles
- Bicycles / skateboards / scooters / segways
- Drones / RC cars
- Flags / sprinklers / garden hoses
- Prams / walkers / mobility scooters / wheelchairs / walking canes
- Basketballs / footballs / footy balls / tennis balls* / cricket balls* / ping pong balls* / small bouncy balls. (*do not allow mouthing or swallowing can cause choking)
- Garage doors
- Shopping trolleys
Great links
You can download a printable copy of this socialising checklist here. LINK
Walkerville Vet,
Louisiana SPCA,
Whole Dog Journal,
Puppy Tails
Pupford
Great videos from other trainers
