Socialization tips - Page 1

Just curious, what would your guys tips be on socializing my new pup.   New environments don't really bother him at all, nor did the two stores we went in today.  He was friendly to all who I stopped to talk to and let pet him, but it's the ones who just stare him down that I noticed he acts a little hesitant about. They just stare him right in the eyes.  Other than that, that is really the only problem I've come to.  A lot of people are willing to pet him or give him a treat, but then you have your few who stare at him, make him hesitant, and they just walk on and won't talk to you or give you any time leaving him with a bad experience.  In the past few days we've gone to the police station, went on many different surfaces rocky areas, rail road tracks,  stairs, ect ect, and a few stores.   He is fine around children and he is fine with anyone who comes in the yard. Any suggestions to keep him on the right track?

Set ups,
If someone staring him down is unsettling to him set up that situation with a helper but this time let him have time to get over it and actually interact with that person.   
Also remember that he should be wary of certain people and don't take this reaction as a fault, suspicion is good .
Some people give off bad vibes and the pup is smart to be aware of them.
Sounds like your doing a fine job, always let him discover new things at his own pace and remember he picks up vibes from you as well.

I find that people who only look or stare at my dog are far more common that ones that want to pet him. So don't avoid those situations. For every one person that wants to pet my dog a thousand could care less about him. These are not "bad experiences," they are the norm. I'd be more worried if my dog thought that every person he saw was there to give him attention. Plus, you will always come across people with a deathly fear of dogs, and they can react in a negative (sometimes over the top) manner. Your job is teach your dog that it doesn't matter what someone elses reaction is, it's the reaction you expect from him that matters.

Other than that, I  live downtown in a large city so lots of distractions/people/noises/etc. are just part of our everyday life. Some of the things we encounter ALL the time that you may not are elevators, transit systems (sometimes we take the subway), protests, parades, walking down really packed sidewalks, shopping malls, sirens blaring on passing emergency vehicles, construction baracades, building sites, children's playgrounds, etc. All of these things can, and usually do, occur during a regular walk, at least for us.

A few times a week we head out of the city to large parks, wooded areas, lakes, etc. Haha, that's where his real socialization takes place

Thanks you guys. And two moons that never crossed my mind about people giving off bad vibes.   I'll take him to the park either tomorrow or Thursday since there are many strange surfaces to go on, and theres a creek at one part....and a lake at another part of the park with a waterfall. We're having warmer weather now so a lot of people are getting out and going to the park or doing things now.  I did more of an accidental setup the first night with him. Someone stared him down that I was talking to, and then they started to pet him and after that  he wanted to play....which was good...  London we're not that crowded of a place lol, but we do have some of those noises/distractions.   He pays no attention to the sliding doors when you enter a building, but we don't have a lot of places with elevators.  What about visiting other peoples houses that I do know?  And one other thing....on walks, puppies want to explore obviously....with my adult Huskies I don't really let them do that on our walks, it's a walk, and just that and when we're done then we play, or the reward comes....with Anubis  we walked down Main Street today, many shops all along the way....he wants to go in each ....door way? The doors aren't open, but theres a lot of space you can walk around in before you get to the door....if that made any sense...  Things like that, he always wants to do that. I usually just keep him walking. Should I let him check things out like that or what? I hope none of it sounds silly, I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing it all right.

GSDguy08,
If you would like to send me a PM I would love to  give you some help in socializing.  This is something that I have been through for a long time and have pretty much made a science out of it.  Too much to put on here if you have questions that need to be answered.  Some things need to be broken down into steps and explained carefully.
Good luck

olskoolgsds, I know it may be a pain, but I'd really appreciate it if you could answer his questions here on the board.  I also am expecting a new pup in a few weeks, and am trying to refresh what I know, and learn what more I need to know.

Thank you

Becky

Remember there is such a thing as overdoing it as well. Something you must be careful of.

I also am curious on socializing tips. Sarge likes to bark at people that talk to him and his hair stands on ends.  Im not sure if i should remove him from the situation or correct him.

 I take my puppies everywhere.   They go for walks in major shopping areas, around restaurants, the parks (NOT the dog park!), I take them to work and walk them around downtown.  I take them to the mall.  They go to the playground.  I take them to club training.  I take them anywhere that I can let them experience an elevator, open steps, escalators.

When they go through that inevitable "fear stage" around 4 months, I make a point of taking them out even more.   If something troubles them, we wait for however long it takes for them to decide to check it out and realize it is nothing.  As long as they go forward, I am happy.   They learn not to care about new or strange things and people.

Think of it in terms of the child who gets no enrichment programs, never goes to a play, a concert, movies, the park or zoo compared to the kid who is permitted/privileged to experience travel, cultural events, different foods in restaurants, music lessons and karate.

olskoolgsds - we'll be bringing our pup home next week so i too would be very interested in your perspective on this topic.   if it isn't too much trouble could you post it here?  if it's too much of a pain and you don't mind emailing me directly my address is fxfireob@mac.com many thanks