Socializing/Training
- Thread starter Ivy
- Start date
Slow and steady, then go at his pace 
Some dogs need a lot of time before they really adapt to the world and others jump in to make up for lost time. You pretty much get to wing it with each dog.
Building confidence is the cornerstone for socialization. Quick, simple exercises -- successful sits, anything -- each time before you go into a social situation, then, if things get too intense, remove him from the situation and go back and reinforce his confidence with a few of those simple successes again.
Some dogs need a lot of time before they really adapt to the world and others jump in to make up for lost time. You pretty much get to wing it with each dog. Building confidence is the cornerstone for socialization. Quick, simple exercises -- successful sits, anything -- each time before you go into a social situation, then, if things get too intense, remove him from the situation and go back and reinforce his confidence with a few of those simple successes again.
Are you trying to socialize him all around with dogs and people or just people?.
Let people give him or her treats. Start by letting them throw them on the ground as they pass by. Then when he shows interest in people let them give them to him. They can get down low at his level and call him to them holding out the treat.
In socializing Lola to other dogs I took her to an off leash dog park but instead of going in the off leash part I walked her on leash outside the fence and did this a few different times before taking her inside the off leash area. She was able to get to know other dogs in a safe manner this way. Each time taking her outside the fence i was able to see her improve and when I felt she would be ok inside the off leash part it was at that time that I took her inside.
Let people give him or her treats. Start by letting them throw them on the ground as they pass by. Then when he shows interest in people let them give them to him. They can get down low at his level and call him to them holding out the treat.
In socializing Lola to other dogs I took her to an off leash dog park but instead of going in the off leash part I walked her on leash outside the fence and did this a few different times before taking her inside the off leash area. She was able to get to know other dogs in a safe manner this way. Each time taking her outside the fence i was able to see her improve and when I felt she would be ok inside the off leash part it was at that time that I took her inside.
I'm going to steal a little idea from Grammy
She loved the book "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With" Amazon.com Books and suggested to me a looooong time ago to start with the beginning with one of my fosters. I got it from the library, and started with the beginning like she suggested, and also incorporated clicker training (clicking for calm / not-nervous behavior) Slow and steady won that race
She loved the book "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With" Amazon.com Books and suggested to me a looooong time ago to start with the beginning with one of my fosters. I got it from the library, and started with the beginning like she suggested, and also incorporated clicker training (clicking for calm / not-nervous behavior)
Slow and steady won that race