Ian Dunbar (I think it's Ian Dunbar, might be someone else) says that puppies should meet 100 new people every week during the critical socialization period, from 8-16 weeks, with care taken during the fear period (9-11 weeks) to make sure they only have positive experiences particularly during that time (and aren't forced to be more social than they are comfortable being- some pups go through a noticable shy stage and others don't, but you CAN really screw up a puppy by forcing them to be petted by people they're scared of or that are overbearing). It's definately a balancing act. But in general, pet supply stores just aren't a good idea- if you MUST go to one, find a mom and pop store (in Dallas, City Pet and Canine Commisary are good, for example) that mops with a parvocide every single night without fail and cleans up accidents with the same. Just soap/wax and deodorizer is NOT good enough to prevent disease transmission.
Thanks for the additional suggestions - I think that socializing Hurleybutt early and often was a really good move, because he's so damn friendly to every single dog and most people he meets now. He's a Kai Ken, so he wants to check people out before he lets them get in his face. Dogs merely require a thourough ass-sniffing.
(Of course, this also means he digs under the fence to go visit the neighbor dogs, but I digress...)
Definately socialization is important, especially with dogs that AREN'T a lab or golden- genetically programmed to love everyone (and it's important for them too!) I have two breeds known to be aloof with strangers- a collie (strangers does not include kids, but no, colllies are not supposed to be lovebugs with everyone) and a corgi (a Cardigan- they're also known for being somewhat aloof compared to their Pembroke relatives) and with my guys, it's VERY important that they ignore strangers and be comfortable with a stranger handling them since it'll be happening in the show ring or in an emergency (Mal is a service dog in training) or even just a kid running up and huggin (Mal has more problems with this than Indy does). It makes a HUGE difference in obedience training- I have a dog tha tstands confidently (and okay, he bounces but it's "ooh, scratch my butt more!" bouncing, not 'eek, don't pet me, I skitter away from you" bouncing) for the stand for exam and for conformation- he's got one leg (with an 99) on his Rally Novice title, achieved before his first birthday and he should finish that title this fall.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
malionette
Oh yeah (more info)
Date: 2007-08-20 06:31 pm (UTC)Cait (wearing Dogstar dogtrainer hat)
Re: Oh yeah (more info)
Date: 2007-08-20 06:35 pm (UTC)Thanks for the additional suggestions - I think that socializing Hurleybutt early and often was a really good move, because he's so damn friendly to every single dog and most people he meets now. He's a Kai Ken, so he wants to check people out before he lets them get in his face. Dogs merely require a thourough ass-sniffing.
(Of course, this also means he digs under the fence to go visit the neighbor dogs, but I digress...)
Re: Oh yeah (more info)
Date: 2007-08-20 06:40 pm (UTC)