When the word socialisation comes up most people think it is teaching your dog to be friends with every dog. It is a misunderstood term, pushed by the pit bull lobby machine and those driving the “it is how you raise them agenda”, yet through their lack of understanding, the promote dangerous and unfair practices that place so much pressure on these dogs, these practices create unrealistic expectations from the dogs owners, and when this goes wrong it ends in heartache.
So what is socialisation?
Socialisation is the process of exposing a puppy to various scenarios, environments, people, situations, surfaces, and other animals in a controlled way that neither floods or overwhelms the puppy. It ensures that every experience is positive and always sets the puppy up for success, thus laying a solid foundation for an adult dog who is a positive member of society.
All of the goals of socialisation, and what determines its’ success is if every experience occurs when the puppy is comfortable, and it is stopped immediately if the puppy shows fear or discomfort. By forcing puppies to face their fears you create problems.
During socialisation puppies are exposed to
The car
Having their teeth cleaned
Going to the vet
Crate training
Water ( being comfortable with getting wet)
It is learning basic manners like not jumping, being ok with doing nothing, socialisation teaches owners how to stop their puppy nipping.
Puppies learn to become comfortable with different surfaces.
It exposes them to other puppies in a controlled environment that doesn’t allow for bullying.
Muzzle training is started
Basically it lays your puppy’s foundation. Good socialisation done by qualified people helps your puppy with a good start.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE IS ONLY A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FOR SOCIALISATION TO TAKE PLACE. AFTER 16 weeks the window closes.
What Socialisation is NOT.
A MAGIC WAND THAT REMOVES ALL DOG AGGRESSION FROM A PIT BULL
Throwing a group of puppies together to play in an uncontrolled environment, a basic free for all, in the hopes of teaching them all to be friends. This is very unfair and could create issues later on. NEVER do this, and run from training schools who encourage this.
Dog parks. Most dogs, ESPECIALLY PIT BULLS, do not belong in dog parks.
Do you go for coffee with the person standing in front of you at the supermarket?
Do you invite the teller serving you in the bank, home for dinner with your family?
How would you feel if the person who was in front of you at the ATM started following you back to your car after you drew money?
Think about these three questions and how the last one made you feel.
Not all dogs are social butterflies, not all dogs want friends, some dogs get frightened or uncomfortable when a boisterous dog keeps invading their space, AND THIS IS WHERE IT ALL GOES WRONG EVEN FOR THE PIT BULL WHO WAS NEVER DOG AGGRESSIVE BEFORE.
When two labradors disagree, there is spit that flies and a big noise and some holes.
When a collie has a disagreement it is rough but it is relatively easy to break up.
But when put in a situation where it has to defend itself, or when a rude dog goes too far, the pit bull will react like a pit bull, and the result is tragedy.
DONT DO IT. STOP DOING IT. THERE ARE SO MANY MORE FUN AND BENEFICIAL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR PIT BULL.. A DOG PARK IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
It is never advisable to attempt to make an adult pit bull accepting of a strange dog. Folks they are not wired for this. Some can and do get along with others, but they are the minority and should never be left alone.
Does this mean a dog aggressive Pit Bull has not been socialised?
NO. Many dog aggresive pit bulls are very well socialised with the world. They are confident well managed dogs who will not pose risk to society, because their owners are accepting of their dog aggression and the ensure their dog and other animals are always safe.
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