Socialization

Lola & Lani (5 months).

Ahsoka, Devo, Caravaggio, & Delilah.

Delilah is working on socialization with other dogs.  The muzzle is for safety.

Ahsoka, Luna, & Lola.

Socialization Fun

Some fun videos of socialization with Such Good Dogs.
Featuring SGDs:  Ahsoka, Caravaggio, and Devo.
Also featuring:  Kahleesi, Lily, Coco, Jackson, Charlie, Lola, Flap, Louis, Luna, & Motoki.


Proper Socialization is teaching a dog not to react to everyday things they will encounter by slowly desensitizing them to these things.  It is important to positively expose a puppy to as many different environments and situations as possible.  Keep in mind that exposure needs to be slowly introduced at the dog's pace, not the owners.  Letting a puppy explore new things at his/her own pace will help them become more comfortable and help avoid negative reactions.  Another way to think of socialization is to consider it desensitization.  For example when having your puppy meet new people remember to include a variety things:  such as people who are short, tall, adults, kids, someone with a hat or glasses, someone in a wheelchair or on crutches, etc.  Improper socialized dogs can be frightened by normal human greeting behaviors.

Proper socialization is the number one way for you to avoid having a dog in the future that will develop serious behavior problems such as aggression. 

Once your dog has been approved by your vet to be around other dogs, start taking your dog everywhere you possible can.  A friend's house, a barbecue, a busy street, different pet stores, or even to work (if you're allowed).  The more places you can take your puppy, the better socialized and more calm your dog will become in any future situation.

Remember to go at the puppy's pace and not your own.  A puppy should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization. 

Socialization for a puppy should start as soon as possible but the best time to socialize a dog is before five months of age.  This does not mean socialization after this age is not important.

So think about it...what are your plans for this evening or tomorrow?  Can you take your dog with?



Other helpful Blog articles:
Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization
More information on dog Socialization
Island Dogs
Trainer Tips:  Dog Friends

Helpful Ways to Exercise your Puppy
Puppy Supply Check List
Socialization with other species
Trainer Tips- Dog Parks

Wolf chase

Ahsoka & Tundra.

Zuke's Product Review

Today we are reviewing the product:  Zuke's Training Treats.  For this review we tried two different flavors, Wild Rabbit & Chicken.  When it comes to choosing a flavor for your dog treats, it is really ultimately best to pick whatever flavor your dog enjoys most.  I recommend buying a few different flavors.  Try one flavor for awhile, then try the other.  If your dog tends to like a particular flavor better, they will generally be more excited about that treat.
Zuke's are one of my all time favorite treats for training.  The "mini" size is perfect.  If you do have a small dog or small dog puppy, I would even recommend breaking this treat in half so we do not upset the small dog's tummy.  Full grown medium sized dogs and larger can use the treat as is.

Overall Such Good Dogs would give Zuke's treats 5 STARS.  They are fantastic.  They are healthy, made in the United States, and they are the perfect size for training.  I highly recommend trying Zuke's treats for your dogs.

Other helpful Blog articles:

Trainer Tip:  Picking a good dog food

Trainer Tip:  Human food for your dog?

Save money on dog food

Homemade Dog Treats

Fun ways to use training treats:

Trick Training:  Hoop Jump

Trick Training:  Paw & Wave

Trick Training:  Spin

Dog Training:  Heel

The Fetch and Roll

The fetch and roll.  This is Ahsoka's signature move.

Puppy Socialization

Puppy socialization with Lily, Coco, & Kahleesi (all around 4 months old).

Socialization

Today we did a socialization appointment for Delilah to work on her aggression towards other dogs.  She did very well.

Miles (Delilah's brother).

Delilah.

Nalu.

All our doggie helpers.

Grapefruit

Ahsoka's first grapefruit.  She does not approve.

We had a fun family hike in Launiupoko.

How to get a scared dog into the pool

In this video we show you how to get a scared dog into the pool.  When doing this, make sure you have a lot of patience.  Remain calm, but confident.  We are going to pull on the leash just enough to get the dog moving toward the pool.  The steps are like the edge of a cliff to the dog, so we need to show them that it is safe.  Take your time and lure the dog into the pool by pulling on the leash.  If you have a shallow end, as we do in this pool, stay in the shallow end for a bit to get the dog used to the idea of just being in water.  Be sure to not allow the dog to bolt out of the pool.  Exit the pool in a calm manner.  Enter and exit the pool several times to get the dog comfortable with it.  Once the dog is doing this well, move onto actually swimming.  You will again need to use the leash to gently pull your dog into the pool and get them swimming.  Once the dog is in the deep water, one helpful thing you can do is hold the dog along the sides and allow them to get a good swimming rhythm going before releasing them onto the steps.  Keep repeating this training until your dog becomes more and more comfortable.  Eventually the dog will no longer fear the steps or the edge of the pool.  Some dogs are more naturally inclined to want to swim and some are not.  If you have a breed of dog that has a pushed in face or has a more solid body mass (such as a Bulldog), adding a lifejacket can be very helpful.  If your dog is into a toy, you can use that to help coax them into the pool as well.  Remember to be patient and have fun.  Once your dog starts to get more comfortable and calm down, you can add treats to help make it a positive experience.


Other helpful blog articles:

Teaching your dog to Swim in the Pool
Ocean Swimming:  Step One
Ocean Swimming:  Step Two
How to get a scared or timid dog moving on leash

Puppy Socialization

Puppy socialization with Lilly (3 months).

Lilly, a 3-month-old Havanese.

Devo, Lilly, Charlie, & Ahsoka.

Charlie, Devo, Lilly, Ahsoka, & Nalu.

Coco (also 3 months).