Early socialisation of pups

[Gia]

Since I have my second litter from K-lee (seven big, beautiful pups!), I’m very much interested how other breeders carry out early socialisation activities. On the basis of readings and own experiences I’ve precisely worked out my own “socialisation scheme” for the pups, which I have already started implementing.
K-lee has incredibly good character for training, she is a frisbee champion and loves sports, dog shows, travelling and thus the main goal of my kennel is to breed CSVs suitable primarily for work and sport.
Thus I pay special attention to exposing the pups to various stimuli from their first days and when they get older I organize special “socialization parties” for them + start early NLP trainings as well.

Since I’m now involved in the process, I thought it might be interesting to share ideas among breeders on early socialisation methods. Of course if that’s not a top secret

[GalomyOak]

Great topic! I will write more later!

[Hanka]

Hi Gia, I can send you link what I do. Of course, it is nothing "special", just my way....
http://wolfdog.wbs.cz/Socialisation.html
Hanka Od Úhoště

[André]

Hi

The first issue is early socialization vs parvovirus. There's several good articles about this but in my opinion the damage caused by lack of socialization is much more probable than the risk of parvovirus. Today I would risk a bit more with my puppy, even outside.

We went on car rides from day 1, almost all days. This is a secure way to absorb a lot of things and get used to car. We also had treats on our rides... everytime appears something new or she explores... we reward. And a relaxed attitude is important, if we react to things like "everything is cool" the puppy will understand there's no reason to fear
We always tried not to repeat the same places so she learn the world can be diverse and unpredictable. Crowded places, nature, zones with dogs on gates, city traffic, commercial centres, beach, football playground... encouraging people to stroke her, etc etc etc.

I would put on top the contact with many different people (stroking) and dogs (off the leash).

[Rona]

Originally Posted by André

Hi
The first issue is early socialization vs parvovirus. There's several good articles about this but in my opinion the damage caused by lack of socialization is much more probable than the risk of parvovirus. Today I would risk a bit more with my puppy, even outside.
.

That's true, but I thought what Gia meant by the early socialisation, was the time when the pups were still in the kennel?

[André]

Originally Posted by Rona

That's true, but I thought what Gia meant by the early socialisation, was the time when the pups were still in the kennel?

Ah, I'm sorry. Thought early = first 4/5 months.

[Gia]

Hanka, thanks for the link, it's a very interesting description!!

Andre, Rona was right, I meant the early socialization which pupies receive in the kennel from their breeders who want to ensure they have good start. But I fully agree with you and this is how we socialized K-Lee.

Apart from what Hanka writes, I expose my pups various noises, which I arrange. They also encounter objects of various shapes and surfaces of various texture in they pen. Some are wamer, some colder, some nicer and some a bit less.
I also try to make them familiar with an animal that has a different smell



I belive the early imprint of various stimuli will make them more open to new situations.

[André]

Sorry for my misunderstanding Gia. Even more interesting this way.

Some armies take this very serious and there's several methods to maximize puppy stimulus. Look at this great article about that, you can go directly to "Methods of Stimulation" point.

Cheers.

[Shadowlands]

Originally Posted by Gia

I also try to make them familiar with an animal that has a different smell



I belive the early imprint of various stimuli will make them more open to new situations.

Fantastic picture

For the early socialisation of our puppies, I don't think we do anything perticularly special...

Our puppies are handled daily - at first just by ourselves but, once they are a little bigger, by friends and neighbours. We have the local children come in to play for short periods of time once the puppies start to explore. Aunty Scrap, a street dog that adopted us, takes her job very seriously when it comes to teaching the puppies new games

We introduce them, like you Gia, to noises under our control and they have several short journeys in the car, not every day but at least every 3 rd day. If they are still with us after their last parvo injection, they are taken (individually or just in pairs) into the local town to experience traffic and crowds, buggies and bikes etc. and to learn to walk on the lead. All of the puppies are taught basic manners before they leave us - to sit and wait for their food being an important one for us . They are taught that food aggression is not acceptable and are lifted onto a table for light grooming daily (so that being on a table at the vets in the future is nothing traumatic...), and learn to 'show' their teeth and have their ears etc handled every day (helps for future showing or examinations).

I am interested to see what other people do - maybe we will add some things to the socialisation calendar for our upcoming litter .

Congratulations on your wonderful babies K-Lee - you have made your mummy very proud

[Gia]

Hi Andre! Thanks for the link, I do exactly the same things which the author describes, with all the puppies, every day. Additionally from the first days I touch and delicately massage their paws, ears and tails.

Sadie, thanks! We too, have many friends coming to us to play with the pups and touch them. Not only adults, but also kids and later – friendly dogs.
I haven’t tried putting them on the table, but you’re right, this is truly important, so I will add this to our “program”.

When the pups are a bit older and more ready for contact, I organize a special “socialization party” for them. The guests come dressed in costumes, so the pups are touched by and played with smerfs, a batman, bees or Greek gods. The party is funny and noisy and the pups are in the centre of attention. My first litter really loved it, just like K-lee.

[Enid Black]

O gosh Gia, I would really like to come to one of these parties!!!!! Puppies and costumes *_______*

[Gia]

You are invited whenever you want!!!

[Enid Black]

Coming back to Poland in visit... uhm... We missed Wrocław this summer... hihi... Wouldn't be so bad, we really liked our trip in Poland and one day we would like to replicate it!

[Shadowlands]

I agree with Enid, those parties sound so much fun I wonder if I could convince some of my friends to dress up too???

[Gia]

Enid Black, among our friends we organize such parties a few times a year. We started when K-lee was little and we had such great time, that ever since we’ve repeated it occasionally, just for fun or for the pups. If you want to join us, you’re welcome!

Sadie, do you think it’d be hard for you to convince your friends? It’s great fun!

[AMERICANI]

Hi there, I read a book ( I cannot remember the book, or I would gladly post it) involving training and behavior. It mentioned a program the US Army started called the "Bio-Sensor Program" and then became the "Super Dog" program. They introduced puppies, at an early age, to various stimuli to prepare them for "the unknown" as MWDs. I remembered a few of the techniques and implemented them to mine, but I have a real problem with introducing them to new people because I don't know anyone in my own country other than my family (who don't really care for dogs much) lol.. I don't have a link either, but I suggest Googling it. It is definitely worth looking into.

[Rona]

Originally Posted by AMERICANI

. It mentioned a program the US Army started called the "Bio-Sensor Program" and then became the "Super Dog" program.

Isn't this the link Andre provided earlier?

[Gia]

Originally Posted by Rona

Isn't this the link Andre provided earlier?

Yes, It is

[AMERICANI]

Sorry, I didn't look at the link before.. I just mentioned I had read a book containing info on this. Yes, this is the same thing...

[AMERICANI]

Also, thanks for the link!