Post by PJ on Mar 27, 2009 1:20:17 GMT -6
Genetically some dogs are more inclined to be adaptable to life with humans, and others would prefer to live as their feral relatives do. But one thing seems to be in common with them all, and that is with better socialization from puppy hood they all can become better citizens.
There are many different methods and they all have something to offer. The key is to find a method that works for you and your situation. We have found that the puppy should be played with and physically handled every day, several times a day. In fact, the more the better. But play is not enough. The pup should be groomed from head to toe. It should be used to being rolled onto it's back in a friendly manner and not be afraid that you or anyone else will hurt it.
Which brings us to other people. The puppy should be exposed to lots of people. As many as possible. Children, adults, males, females, everyone. Hardly a day should pass when the pup is not exposed to a new person or new situation. Having strangers give treats to your puppy is not always the best way to go about this. The pup should love people regardless of receiving treats. If the puppy must live in a home where it is not daily enjoying visits from new people, then the owner must realize that the pup may develop a territorial or defensive nature, and may be wary of certain, if not all strangers. Thankfully many dogs are friendly even when their owners do not socialize them properly. This also applies to strange animals. If you plan on visiting farms with your JRT then lots of positive socialization with different kinds of animals is a great idea. Always set up the new experience in a way as to make it a happy experience. There is no need to expose a puppy to a scary situation. Life has a way of doing that on it's own.
In regards to new situations and new people, we have found it best not to force the pup to like the new experience if it is too scared. To leave the pup off leash and allow it to run away will only set the standard of all future behaviour to a scary situation. The opposite is also true, to carry the pup through new situations is also not always the best approach, unless you are striving to teach the dog to become very defensive. We have found that putting the dog on a leash and going as close to the new situation or person as the dog will allow, then playing there, and each day getting closer and closer the pup will get over it's fear. But it is still best not to let the pup get this way in the first place. If started early, most pups will adapt readily to the environment that they see for the majority of the day, including sleep time. If they spend the majority of their day meeting and playing with strangers, then they will have far less problems being good citizens. If, on the other hand, they spend most of their days hidden away in a house, then they will be more inclined to be territorial and fearful of new people and situations.
Like I said; There are many different methods and this is just a few ideas that we use and which seems to work for us. Our dogs are able to comfortably meet strangers from all walks of life. They can meet new dogs at trials and agility competitions and make friends easily. They can hold still while a judge pets them, and not snap or growl or cower.
Just a few ideas.
There are many different methods and they all have something to offer. The key is to find a method that works for you and your situation. We have found that the puppy should be played with and physically handled every day, several times a day. In fact, the more the better. But play is not enough. The pup should be groomed from head to toe. It should be used to being rolled onto it's back in a friendly manner and not be afraid that you or anyone else will hurt it.
Which brings us to other people. The puppy should be exposed to lots of people. As many as possible. Children, adults, males, females, everyone. Hardly a day should pass when the pup is not exposed to a new person or new situation. Having strangers give treats to your puppy is not always the best way to go about this. The pup should love people regardless of receiving treats. If the puppy must live in a home where it is not daily enjoying visits from new people, then the owner must realize that the pup may develop a territorial or defensive nature, and may be wary of certain, if not all strangers. Thankfully many dogs are friendly even when their owners do not socialize them properly. This also applies to strange animals. If you plan on visiting farms with your JRT then lots of positive socialization with different kinds of animals is a great idea. Always set up the new experience in a way as to make it a happy experience. There is no need to expose a puppy to a scary situation. Life has a way of doing that on it's own.
In regards to new situations and new people, we have found it best not to force the pup to like the new experience if it is too scared. To leave the pup off leash and allow it to run away will only set the standard of all future behaviour to a scary situation. The opposite is also true, to carry the pup through new situations is also not always the best approach, unless you are striving to teach the dog to become very defensive. We have found that putting the dog on a leash and going as close to the new situation or person as the dog will allow, then playing there, and each day getting closer and closer the pup will get over it's fear. But it is still best not to let the pup get this way in the first place. If started early, most pups will adapt readily to the environment that they see for the majority of the day, including sleep time. If they spend the majority of their day meeting and playing with strangers, then they will have far less problems being good citizens. If, on the other hand, they spend most of their days hidden away in a house, then they will be more inclined to be territorial and fearful of new people and situations.
Like I said; There are many different methods and this is just a few ideas that we use and which seems to work for us. Our dogs are able to comfortably meet strangers from all walks of life. They can meet new dogs at trials and agility competitions and make friends easily. They can hold still while a judge pets them, and not snap or growl or cower.
Just a few ideas.
