Socialization tips and opinions - Page 1

My opinions: It does  vary depending on the dog, but I go at it from basically the same with most. The fawning over new people I have come to think is more genetic, with some socialization as well. My 3 working lines could not care less about people when it is time to work. Very social otherwise (when I tell them to go say hi, they dutifully put themselves in petting distance and maybe give a wag or two of the tail) but not so social they are inviting strangers in the house or even saying hi to strangers I don't tell them to say hi too. I never tried to stop them from greeting people as a pup though. I encouraged it every chance I got. Being social was more important than being wary to me- that is part of the breed and in their genes and will develop as they get older.

I took mine all over from the day I got them- I just pick and chose where they went. Not around dogs I didn't know or places where other dogs frequented. But we sat outside grocery stores, fire stations, schools, etc multiple times a day. They only met dogs I knew were healthy and current and I knew would be gentle. I definitely recommend letting them meet other dogs, otherwise they will not learn proper social behaviors like how to greet. I had one I did not do this with enough and she became very annoying about it- when it was time to meet one later, she jumped in their face and pawed at them and pissed them off. So with the next one starting at a young age I taught them to say hi nicely. The ony thing I asked of them was no jumping and I didnt even do that til a few months old. You are right, their is a vital window and I just wasn't gonna let puppy sit in the house waiting for shots. The first 4 months are key. I was careful and had no health issues as a result.

I do have strangers offer food if the petting is not enough for the pup. One of  mine was not social as a pup, so I had a lot of people give her food. She still doesn't love other people but now is more social than she would have been otherwise.

I have not used hier personally, but don't have an opinion either way. I think it is fine to hace (responsible) people pick the pup up so the dog learns to be handled and not freak out. Think of going to the vet later. I'd say let them.

When a pup is hesitant definitely do not pick up to make it feel safe. This is just reinforcing the behavior. Don't encourage the behavior at all, coax the pup up to it- tell him to go see or check it out. Maybe even use food when he does as a reward. and lots of praise for overcoming the fear/hesitancy.

My opinions, I'm sure some disagree, but I am very happy with the social levels of all my dogs. When we're working, no one else matters. If I want them to say hi, they do.

Pretty much I'd say I agree with most of the above - I personally wouldn't want a dog that isn't reliable around our friends, guests, and people in the park. Many people have a negative perception of the German Shepherd, so any place I can utilize my dogs as ambassadors for the breed I do so. Having said that, I haven't personally owned, nor do I know of anyone who owns, a GSD that fawns on other people. Our dogs are friendly and approachable, but they also maintain a certain aloofness - only family members get the "in your lap" type of behavior (our 85 lb boy is good at trying his luck at that LOL.)

Do I let other people handle a puppy? Yes, because they are going to have to go to the vet, groomer, whatever, and tolerate being touched by strangers. We adopted a 6 month old puppy back in 2007 - he had obviously NEVER been handled, my guess is not even by the previous owner who dumped him - and believe me, once that window of opportunity  is missed (i.e. when they are very young) it is extremely difficult to make up for lost time. He is 2 now and still resists being examined or groomed, by people other than my husband or myself  - my vet muzzles him, not because he is aggressive by nature (he's sweet) but because in this particular situation he may not be trustworthy. It's something we may have to work on for the rest of his life, and all because someone was too ignorant or too lazy to spend time with him when he was a baby.....

Lastly, you mention that your dog is for sport, not for PPD. What type of sport?