socialization - Page 1

People on here talk a lot about socialization and their dogs, what I want to know is how you get your pups and dogs out with the public, in public places???   I want to be able to go to the Mall, the hardware store, Home depot, and places where there are lots of distractions and lots of people.  I don't however want people just comming up and feeling like they can pet the dog......

 Some place I know I can go......

City, sidewalk and traffic distractions

Parks

Fire station..

Police Department...

Training and obedience....

I carry mine to as many places as possible from the day I get them.

By carrying them I find I get less petting problems as they have to get more into my personal space and I guess thats less appealing.

Standing outside places like schools, football clubs etc at end of the day is brilliant for getting noise etc and overwhelming large numbers of people.

As for people approaching you - keep a purposeful walk when you see them aiming for you and change direction out of their path!  You can always request that they dont reach down to touch the puppy - just say its in training and its not conducive to good education!

The best way to stop people from petting your dog is to buy a vest and a patch that says" please don't pet" Most people will respect that (then there are the ones that don't care and you have to say please don't pet the dog)

As for the mall and home depot ectt..... most will not let you bring in your pets. Try feed stores , petsmart, and stores like that. I sit out side walmart by the front and do down stays and sit stays.

I also find it is a way to teach OK/Nice command. I don't mind people petting the dogs but I teach the command only when I say it is OK will a person pet and the dog must allow . Now when questionable people come up then no there is no command and they can not pet.

EK

Hi,

I am going to kindergarten, the Zoo and also when to disabled people so that the also learn the wheelchairs and people who are very disabled specially when they make strange movements and noises. I also take them with me in to restaurants i know that it is not allowed in the States but here in Holland you may go in some of the restaurants also at the train stations and marketplaces.

If i have a litter i start always early at 6 weeks when they have there first vaccination i take them already outside on the lease. Socialization is the most important for a puppy but remember that when you do two things on the same day the puppy only pick up the first thing you did with him for example take them in the car and than to a shop he only pick up the car driving not the shop.

Yvonne

Why do you object to people petting your dogs... I'm sure there must be a reason.

I'm quite happy for people to pet mine, rather that than see them pick their kids / dogs up and cross the road. 

Me too Missbeeb, it must be a Scottish thing lol

I let people pet my dog, for me it is important part of socialization, I will restrict that once the pup reaches 6m, but till than I want him to be used to strange people touching him, after 6m I will allow every now and than but not as often, I will always allow kids to pet my dog. Some people don't let other people to touch their dog to keep the susp level high, I don't belive in that, instead I teach my dog the watch commend. Home depot will let you have the dog in, but you will have to keep him in a cart (due to chemicals used on the floors, and sold there), groceries store can't kick you out with your dog but you need to keep him in the cart and have the cart covered with a blanket or something  so that the dog don't actually comes in the contact directly with the cart. The rule is if a place has no sign "pet not allowed" it can't kick you out, the sign has to be on the entrance door and another place inside the store. (I never knew that till one cop told me) But my rule is if someone say no pets allowed I will respect their wish, no need to cause stressful situation for you or your dog. You can bring a dog into a mall but not always into most stores (it is a misconception shared by many that malls don't allow dogs, there are few but not all once again checks for sings) busy streets is the best test for your dog, usually you exposed him to different unpredictable sounds, people, other dogs etc.

I do not want people just coming up and petting my dog because they want to I want the focus when we are out to be on me and not "oh boy who's gonna pet me now" petting is a reward and I want the dog to be aloof with strangers not always looking to them for a "reward",

yet social and non aggressive unless need be.

I also want a dog to be confident, and what is one of the strangers who are petting the dog is not so nice? all it takes is once.........

So I am looking for a way to socialize the dog, make it confident, yet aloof to strangers, and by aloof I mean not looking to them for their reward, companionship, food, loving or orders, I will provide all that.

EK  I like what you explained  and it makes sense to me to use a word to let the dog know it is alright to be petted and at the same time to let the person know they can pet the dog. I have always taught my children to ask before approaching a dog, even an adorable puppy.....  want people I know to pet my dog, I do want kids to interact with the dog too, but again on my say so and not just because.............

Cindy focus on you is part of you working with the dog on focus (and building a bond), it has nothing to do with him getting pet by strangers :). My dogs always focus on me when we walk sometiems on a wild life :) but hardly ever on other people, the only time they focus on other people when I tell them to watch them :) or if they look suspeciouse to the dog. :) My dogs love people but they don't give a damn about strangers, or till I tell them to give a damn :).