Dogs view the world in terms of familiar and unfamiliar. In order for puppies to develop into confident, well-adjusted dogs, they must be comfortable around new [unfamiliar] people, dogs, and places which they may encounter throughout their lives. Operating a boarding kennel, I have seen the results of dogs that have not been properly socialized and are fearful of one or more of these components of their world. This is the animal that, at one end of the behavior spectrum, flees when approached by a stranger to the opposite end which is to snap or bite when approached.
Dogs are not born “Lassie.” Puppies come into the world with a genetic predisposition, aka, temperament. Thereafter, environment plays a major role in the development of a dog’s temperament. This is the nature vs. nurture debate. In reality, both genetics and environment will ultimately affect a dog’s ability to cope with the world s/he will encounter throughout life.
Dr. Ian Dunbar [www.dogstardaily.com] suggests there are three critical developmental deadlines which owners must meet before their puppy is five months old, Socialization is the most urgent priority - Your puppy should meet 100 strangers, mainly men and children before 16 weeks of age.
This poses an immediate conflict as many veterinarians, breeders and trainers advise puppy owners not to take their puppies outside of their back yard due to the risk of contracting disease, particularly parvo virus. However, there is clear evidence that the risk of disease versus the millions of healthy dogs that are relinquished to animal shelters due to behavior problems would negate this advice.
Thank you for reading,
Judy Granberg, CPDT
7460 Highway 193