Too Much Of a Good Thing

By Teddy Green

Once they decided it was the perfect time for them to get a puppy, Gertrude and Heathcliff did everything right. They did their research to ensure they chose a breed that best suited their lifestyle. Once they decided on a breed, they researched and interviewed numerous breeders before they found one who met their criteria. Through referrals from friends and family they found an excellent vet and a dog training facility that used up-to-date, positive training methods. And, they read – a lot!

A common theme in their reading was the importance of socialization. As soon as their puppy, Spanky, was old enough, they signed up for a puppy pre-school class. Outdoor walks started as soon as they got the ok from their vet.

Their first night at class was more fun than Gertrude and Heathcliff had imagined. All those little bundles of fur bouncing around and meeting new puppies for the first time. You could charge admission just to watch. Spanky was no wallflower and he reveled in the opportunity to engage with the other puppies. During the first and future classes he often attempted to engage with the other puppies during the class. Even though he was missing out on his lessons, Gertrude and Heathcliff allowed Spanky to say hi to the other pups whenever he wanted because they knew the importance of socialization and he was just so darned cute!

Walks took a long time and they didn’t cover much ground because of Spanky’s desire to greet every dog and person along the way. He was so cute that everyone was pleased to oblige. Gertrude and Heathcliff were pleased to see Spanky’s excitement and anticipation at each greeting. Over time he could barely contain himself until the moment of interaction.

Fast-forward six months. Spanky is a 60-pound adolescent now and as friendly as ever, attempting to greet every dog and person he encounters. However, fewer and fewer people are willing to greet him as he thrashes about at the end of the leash like a fish on a line, barking excitedly the whole time. Many dog owners are unsure about the barking, lunging Spanky and they often cross the road to avoid him. Poor Spanky is having fewer and fewer opportunities to meet and greet. Gertrude and Heathcliff can’t understand why people are avoiding their happy boy.

Spanky is now 18 months old and 75 pounds. Walks have become increasingly unpleasant for Gertrude and Heathcliff. At 75 pounds of muscle, Spanky drags them wherever he wants to go. His behaviour on walks has become an embarrassment and Gertrude and Heathcliff are not sure what to think about Spanky’s behaviour with other dogs now, so he rarely has the opportunity to engage with another dog. Time to sign up for another class and get things under of control. They are looking forward to the class and resolving their issues but lesson 1 is a big disappointment and a huge embarrassment. Spanky pays no attention to them and is disruptive during the entire class.

What has gone wrong? Two words - over socialization. Specifically, too much socialization with other dogs. Yes, there can be too much of a good thing.

In an effort to do the right thing and socialize your pup - an important aspect of dog training can be forgotten. Balance. Balance between a puppy’s interaction with other dogs and people vs. interaction with his family. If your puppy’s biggest source of fun and activity is other dogs and people you may well run into the problems experienced by Gertrude and Heathcliff. Your puppy’s main source of fun, focus and activity should be you and your family. A good rule of thumb is a 3:1 ratio. Your puppy should engage with you and your family three times as much as he engages with other dogs and people. To put that into perspective, if your puppy plays with another puppy for 5 minutes, he should play with you for 15 minutes.

Don’t get me wrong, socialization is very important but socialization is not simply playing with other dogs. Socialization involves ensuring your pup is comfortable with lots of different types of people, places, things, breeds of dogs and so on. It’s not just socializing or playing with other dogs. Socialize your pup to the world at large; meeting new people and new dogs is only a small aspect of that. Socialization involves introducing your pup, in a positive manner, to novel places and things. Go to a strip mall to give your pup/dog the opportunity to see people carrying bags, pushing shopping carts, cars passing, etc. Take different routes on your walks so that your pup routinely sees novel things

Group class is important for many reasons. Your pup/dog will learn to respond to you in the presence of other dogs and people. The socialization aspect of the class should be very brief. Remember the 3:1 ratio. Many training facilities offer a brief socialization period before the actual lesson begins. This is a perfect opportunity to allow your pup/dog to greet others and to practice calling your pup/dog away from other dogs or people. Using a very high value treat, place it on your pup/dog’s nose and use the treat to lure your pup away from the others, calling ‘come’ as you do. Treat and then allow him to engage with the others again. Repeat this exercise as many times as you can in the time allowed.

Once the class begins, it’s time for your pup to learn the valuable lesson of focusing on you in the presence of other dogs/people. This lesson will pay dividends later in your dog’s life.

Remember the 3:1 ratio on walks, too. Allow your pup to greet every fourth person/dog. For the others ask your pup to do something for you such as sit, down or shake a paw. Reward him big time for responding to you and then continue your walk. Simply put - he does not get to greet everyone he sees. That’s a good lesson for a youngster to learn.

Remember the key to socialization is moderation and socialize your dog to the world, not just to other dogs. The payoff? Your walks and your life with your dog will be a pleasure for years to come.

Teddy Green has been training dogs professionally for over 10 years and is a head instructor at Who's Walking Who Dog Training Centres teaching all levels of classes, including behavioural consultations. She is also teaches through Daytripper Dog Training, located in the City of Kawartha Lakes.