Over-Socialization? - Page 4

"I started this thread b/c I hear on other forums "socialization" being stressed 24/7. It made me wonder why do folks go to such extremes and why is it stressed to the upmost.

I see where first time GSD owners come online and they get beaten over the head to death with "congrats with your puppy. Make sure to socialize!! socialize!! socialize!!" You start reading where people go out of their way to socalize their dogs out fo fear the dog will become a fear biter or not like people in general.

Stuff like that is what made me create this thread and wonder if people are doing too much socialization..."

Exactly my point; you are confusing people stressing the importance of socialization with dogs being over-socialized, whatever that means.  You'll forgive me if I'm not surpised that the person who argued here a few months ago that Michael Vick should be forgiven doesn't get the difference?

I would like to make clear that I have never said a gsd pup does not need to be socialized. And I never said that I don't socialize my pups. However, there are ways to socialize a pup that doesn't involve special trips to the city to show them that there are cars and people there. I can show that to them when I take them with me three miles up the road to the gas station, and hang out talking to the locals and the fire station next door has guys there who always love to come out and talk dogs. I think that attempting to show a pup everything it will ever encounter in it's lifetime for fear it will be a freak is as ridiculous as thinking as long as a pup has "solid" nerves, it's ok to leave it chained to a tree. Maybe over socializing is walking up to every person encountered and asking them pet the dog, and give it treat while the stranger is at it, which the owner always has a handy supply of. This kind of stuff really happens. But that is only one example of what I would consider over doing it. Stupid shit like that.

Let me wipe away the tears. (Laughing so much.....) It's unbelievable how a word/phrase has so many interpretations. Some by their comments, (and either articulation or lack of?) are believing that "socialization" is strictly the encounter/encountering of humans? Most are dead on (in my eyes) when they share new experiences with their puppies. For me; depends on what your dog will do or be. A WORKING dog, (here we use that word again and not to confuse it with the other thread(s) but for a working dog you as the handler wants your dog to be accustomed, aware or hopefully has acknowledged as many "experiences" as he/she possibly can. Experiences with people being only one of those experiences. Noises, smells, terrain, surfaces, stresses, climates, timetables and the list goes on. And for the person that stated I believe tremendous difference between socialization......conditioning. SO RIGHT!    

"Maybe over socializing is walking up to every person encountered and asking them pet the dog, and give it treat while the stranger is at it, which the owner always has a handy supply of. This kind of stuff really happens. But that is only one example of what I would consider over doing it. Stupid shit like that."

Ok, if that's where we're drawing the line, I agree.  You made it sound like dogs with good nerves require no socialization and that is not accurate...all puppies require appropriate socialization.

I sure did not intend to give that impression. Alboe, I think that simplifying what socialization encompasses might be for convenience. Going through the list of experiences beneficial to a dog could be another thread. But to me it would be like saying dogs shit after they eat, exposing dogs to life; it's as natural as rain.

Can't keep the avatars staright especially when there are multiple pages. (once starting to type can't scroll throught the pages?) Don't think it was you though........ Initial point is (and maybe it's just the way I'm wired) but on numerous threads we get on a subject and it's not the right subject or input from the readers concerns a different subject ie; DRIVES, BONDING, etc.

If a dog has real social aggression, socialization will not do much for it.

Exactly my point; you are confusing people stressing the importance of socialization with dogs being over-socialized, whatever that means.  You'll forgive me if I'm not surpised that the person who argued here a few months ago that Michael Vick should be forgiven doesn't get the difference?


I think of it as cause & effect and wondering if it is going overboard.  The cause being people stressing socialization and saying how you need to take the dog everywhere, go out of your way to make sure the dog will grow up to have good nerves (not taking genetics into account).  And then the people who hear it (usually beginners) and they following this advice when really is it needed?  It seems like the breed is being seen as a dog that if not overly socialized (meaning more than a walk, trip to the parkk, errands) they will grow up to have weak nerves. 

Actually I get the difference but was wonerding other thoughts.  As I said, go to other forums and as with everything in life people have varying opinions.  I'm sorry that you disagree with me on Michael Vick.  I am not a personal to hold a lifetime judge.  If you would still like to discuss it feel free to PM me so that we don't derail this thread.

It is posible to under "socialize". There is no such thing as over "socialization" of a dog.

Rik

I think the reason socialization is emphasized is the fact that there is little negative outcomes in over socializing, what ever that really means; but the chance of negative outcomes is much greater when a puppy is under socialized.  I dont think an inexperience owner should take the risk.