Puppy socialization aims to educate the portion of the brain that is emotionally receptive to its surroundings (the amygdala). The most appropriate and effective emotional reactions are calm, material, and joyful. Today, the value of socialization with puppies is widely known and acknowledged. This is why it’s interesting that some professionals in the field of behaviour (myself included) are seeing a growing quantity of dog owners suffering from anxiety-related behaviours.
There are many reasons for the apparent improvement in the number of behaviours associated with fear among dogs, such as:
HTML0 – Less “natural socialization,” in the case of responsible pet owners who keep their dogs in a safe environment and do not allow them to wander around the neighbourhood.
–The accessibility of more behavioural professionals ready and capable of working with dogs that exhibit anxiety-related behaviour. Also, owners have increased awareness about how behaviours can be changed.
HTML0 – An inadequacy of knowledge among dog owners who realize the importance of socialization yet need to understand that the most important aspect of a successful socialization program is positive experiences with the world. Dogs who have negative experiences in the first (3 or 14 weeks) time of socialization are likely to develop fear unless immediate intervention is made.
–A inadvertently unaware of the existence of second fear phases that, like various information sources, may occur in any dog between the ages of 4 and 11 months or even as old as two years old. An event that triggers fear at any point within this period in which a dog is more sensitive to the aversive stimulus and can profoundly affect behaviour in fear.
HTML0 – The birth of puppy mills in the past 30 years. Milling puppies only began to grow in the 1970s and into the later. Mill puppies don’t get adequate socialization if they do. Also, they are likely to be delivered to retailers within the significant initial fear stage (8 to 10 or 12 weeks)
The rise of the “no-kill” movement, which is a movement that encourages the use of behaviourally suspect dogs that, historically, most likely, would have been killed.
–A growing number of hoarder case investigations by animal protection agencies result in the seizure of hundreds of undersocialized/fearful dogs who are rehomed.
Genetics is different. Environment
The most frequently asked question is, “Is my dog’s fearful behaviour genetic, or did someone or something cause it?” It is “both.” Genetics, along with life experiences, affect behaviour.
When it comes to genetics, the thing that is genetically inherited is the dog’s tendency to get reinforced (or to be aversed by) certain behaviours. Border Collies are genetically programmed to consider running after things a very rehabilitative activity. They are, therefore, excellent in herding. Likewise, Labrador retriever dogs are prone to get reinforced when they put items in their mouths and are consequently good at getting things out. However, a dog genetically inclined to discover new or unusual triggers that are aversive could be said to be a genetically feared dog commonly found in breeders (including puppy mills) that don’t take the time to create breeding programs to have a good personality.
If you choose two puppies that are similar in age, use them for new stimuli and give them equally ample interaction. The genetically sound pup tends to be calmer /or curious. The ones with less stability are more likely to display anxiety behaviour. A dog with genetically weaker stability needs more interaction to grow into a standard, stable dog. However, as it is virtually impossible to determine a dog’s genetic stability, the only way to know is to socialize every puppy. Stable ones will gain from this extra exposure.
The impact of environmental factors can start at a very young age. The pup has a genetic propensity in temperament, but the mother fears those who approach the whelping container. The pup could learn that he is afraid of other people from a young age, as early as three weeks. Furthermore, events that trigger fear in sensitive times or traumatizing events at any given time trigger persistent fearful behaviours.
Preventing Fear
Fear is among the most essential causes of aggression. This can seriously affect the quality of life for dogs and the lives of humans who care for them. It is, therefore, in everyone’s accurate interest to do your best to stop your pup/dog from developing fear. You might believe that this will mean keeping him safe in your home, where he is secure and no adverse incidents could happen; however, the reverse occurs. Socialization issues are the most likely reason for fear-related behaviour. (See ” Vaccinations and Socialization“.)
While you socialize your dog, provide him with a positive experience. If you are doing this, you’re providing him with a positive and classical relationship with his surroundings and preparing his brain to think of the world as fun and cheerful. Please take note of your dog’s view of the world and look carefully for symptoms of stress that indicate that he isn’t having fun. This could include behaviour avoidance (trying to avoid things), lip-licking, crying, shutting down (absence of behaviour), and much more. (For further information on identifying the signs, refer to ” Stress Signals,” June 2006.)
If you notice any of these symptoms, identify the issue that is bothering you and improve your distance from that stimulant. You can then work with him to create an emotional connection with this thing with counter-conditioning that pairs the trigger with something delightful, for example, chicken broiled, baked, or even canned. (See “Counter-Conditioning and Desensitization“).
Puppy Socials
If you have a bit (okay and a great deal) of luck and an effective programme for socialization, you might never require a counter-conditioning plan for your dog. He’ll become mentally secure without fear and become the happy dog you’ve been looking for.
Realizing the importance of early socialization, increasing numbers of trainers who use positive reinforcement are providing puppy sessions on socialization. These classes are more than (or as an addition to) the usual education of the fundamentals of behaviour; the puppies are exposed to different things at a lower level in a controlled environment where any fears they may have are identified and attended to. Puppy encounters various individuals wearing bizarre costumes, listens to strange noises made by “sound desensitization” CDs, traverses multiple terrain and obstacles, observes an empty vacuum cleaner from a distance, and much more. My puppies class recently met Olivia, the miniature horse we have!
By leveraging efforts like this from owners and trainers who recognize the significance of early socialization as well as a greater understanding of ways to benefit those dogs that do suffer from fear-related problems, We can hopefully have the tendency reversed and see fewer animals in our training and in our lives who exhibit fearful behaviour.