As
we previously discussed, “quality over quantity” is one of the main keys for
early socialization. In spite of how slow and thoughtful a raiser might be with
socialization, a raiser will still come across situations where the puppy shows
caution, concern, fear, or unsure behavior towards an item or environment. However,
you can help your pup have a productive and positive experience with proper socializing.
The following are some tips for socializing a pup that is acting cautiously or
showing concern with something new.
1.
Always keep your pup’s
leash loose. A tight leash can add to building tension and stress. A loose leash
shows that you are relaxed in the situation, as well, and helps cue your puppy
to being relaxed.
2.
Allow your puppy to decide
how close he wants to be to the object. If you approach, allow the puppy the length
of the leash. If the puppy needs more space, make sure you back up with him to
keep the leash loose or have him on a long line.
3.
Approach the object
without pressuring your puppy to follow you. As you approach the object of concern, keep
the leash slack, but don’t call your puppy with you or to the object. We
purposely breed biddable puppies who want to work with and please the handler,
so the puppy may actually approach but may still be concerned or scared.
Instead, as you walk up to the object, touch it and talk towards the object,
such as “This is a lovely fire hydrant.” Avoid phrases like, “Look at this,
Fido! It’s ok, Fido!”
4.
Do not use food to lure
the puppy towards the object. Again, this puts pressure on the puppy that will
likely not be beneficial. Someone may put $100 bill on top of a tarantula, but when I snatch the bill, I’m not any less
afraid of the tarantula! Likewise, a retriever puppy will quickly grab the
piece of food because they are typically a food motivated breed, but this
doesn’t mean they have resolved their concern.
5.
Do not use food to lure a
puppy onto an underfooting/unusual surface. You can quietly stand on the underfooting
and praise and treat when the pup decides to put even one paw on the
underfooting. Avoid using food to lure puppy on underfooting (see #4 above).
6.
You may reward and praise
for any relaxed movement the puppy makes towards the object. Once the puppy realizes
the object isn’t so scary and starts to step in, you may quietly praise the
pup. If the puppy is close enough and continues approaching on his own, you may
even give quiet praise and a treat at that point to reward his bravery.
7.
Repeat exposures help
build confidence. When possible, revisit the item, environment, or experience that caused
your puppy concern. Usually, the puppy will show some degree of being more
comfortable on repeat exposures. We want the pup to have a positive association
with what is causing him concern, so repeating after he has had time to process
the first exposure can help the positive interaction on the 2nd and
3rd times.
8.
Give the puppy the
opportunity to have a play or rest break after an intense reaction or stressful
experience.
Some puppies internalize their concern, especially ones that are very biddable
and want to work with you. If you notice that your puppy had an unusual
reaction to something and you have given the pup adequate opportunity to check
it out, then you will want to give the puppy a break in a less stressful
environment. Move to a quiet and out of the way area to help the puppy
instantly feel more relaxed. Its always good to carry a couple of toys with you
to let the pup release some tension by shaking a fleece toy or chewing on a Nylabone.
Some puppies may choose to release the energy by “zooming” around and its good
to have a long leash with you that you can switch to and allow the puppy to
“zoom” out their stress. Once you see the pup starting to settle back down,
then you know he is getting back to baseline and can continue on.
9.
Outings for your puppy
should be gradual and based on his behavior. All puppies will take new experiences in at
different paces. However, its best to assume a slow pace at first for every
puppy you work with – whether its one you are raising or camping. Establishing
a good foundation is more important than trying to do too much, too quickly.
Watching the puppy’s body language is the best way to decide how to proceed
with any outing or experience. Additionally, it’s best to not compare one puppy
to another in order to assess if a puppy is “on schedule.” If you do have such
concerns, consulting with your AC is best to gain a better outside perspective
on your puppy and his development.
10.
It is normal for a puppy
to show wariness. By being wary of new stimuli, a pup is actually being safe. What if it
is something dangerous? It’s smart to take the time to have a slow approach and
investigate! In everything except emergencies, allowing the pup to take that
time and make decisions about approach will add to the pup’s confidence and
help teach the pup about making independent choices. As guide dogs, they need
to be able to make quick and confident decisions while leading their handler
through the world!
Following
these tips to help cautious pups overcome any obstacles that come their way
will help Southeastern Guide Dogs to have confident and independently thinking guide
dogs!
