Imprinting vs. Bonding - Page 1

I was wondering if imprinting and bonding are the same thing when referring to dogs? How would this be used in training, the positives and negatives? Is there a time factor involved? I have some anecdotal thoughts on this, and am really wondering how far off the beaten track I really am! And P.S: To the really nice folk who have sent me emails, THANKS! Your thoughtful responses have truly helped me in my quest to understand the GSD "world". ~Deb

OK, I don't have the whole answer for you but imprinting does have a time limit. It is done within the first time after the birth It involves touching areas of the puppy and scent imprinting. So, you touch the feet,ears,nose,rectum etc. . Stick the pups under your armpit.what ever....give the human scent early on. Touch everything. Later in life it will not be as scary for them. Imprinting and bonding are very different. Bonding is later when the puppy knows you and you have contact they understand on a different level. Hope this helps.

To me imprinting is offering alot of different smells, sounds, and touching with humans or environment when a animal whatever species is very young. Bonding is the act of becoming attached to a particular person, family, area etc.

In general when these two terms are used together I get a different interpretation. Imprinting being the process of teaching a young dog how to perform by establishing good work ethics early similar to instilling good study habits in children early in life. Bonding is the relationship formed between the owner (or handler) and the dog itself. Usually with a young dog the bonding process comes first and the imprinting comes as a dog begins training at an early age.