Socialization

No matter what you plan to do with your dog, socialization is something that *every* dog needs. Pet, performance, show. . . if they aren't socialized, they won't be the dog you want.

Most people know about the Puppies Rule of 12. This is a list of the many different things your puppy should have experienced before they are 12 weeks of age.

I also like the Puppy Scavenger Hunt. Let's see what Zane has done.

He has been introduced to these items in the following categories:

Visited:
5 different houses so far (goal is 10)

Ridden in:
Car
SUV
Airplane

Walked on:
Carpet
Tile
Wooden Deck
Concrete
Vinyl
Grass
Gravel
Sand

Played with:
Rubber toys
Fabric toys
Paper/cardboard
Other puppies (but only his siblings so far)

Eaten in:
Kitchen
Living room
Front yard
Back yeard
Bedroom (adult)

Slept in:
Vehicle
Crate
Someone's lap

Climbed:
Over low obstacles

Heard:
Loud music
Vacuum cleaner
Washing machine

Seen people sitting on:
Ground

Met:
6 men
Person in hat
Person in sunglasses
Person in uniform
At least 9 women, probably more
4 children
At least 6 dogs (not counting the breeder's)
Other animals - horses, chickens, cats, rabbit


Here's another Scavenger Hunt. Let's see how we do on it so far.

People:
Boy between 2 and 6.
Girl, 7 or older
Calm boy, 7 or older
Man with a beard
Friendly stranger in a hat
Friendly stranger in sunglasses
Person in uniform.
Person driving a truck.
Person carrying packages.

Sights, sounds, and sensations:
A camera
Mirror
Cat with attitude
Older, well-socialized dog
Lifted onto table-like surface
Separated and held each toe
Flapping movement


So, we still have a ways to go, but we have a start. And we have plans to do more.

Another great resource if you have a puppy is the book Focused Puppy by Deborah Jones. If gives you a plan for that early training. A lot of the stuff I'm doing now comes from this book.

Today's training has included the name game (not so good - he was very distracted by the cat who was watching), eye contact, and the Come-Go game. I toss a piece of food and tell him to "go". When he gets to the food, I click. When he finishes eating, I say, "Zane, come!", and click when he turns toward me, then he comes and gets a couple of pieces of food. This evening we did a few sits. I really don't think he understands the clicker yet. Give him time. . . he's still so young.