THE TRUE MEANING OF SOCIALIZATION - Part 2
Now that we've established a deeper understanding of what socialization is in Part 1 of our series, and how crucial it is in your dog's life, let's delve deeper into some specific aspects of puppy development that are vital to their socialization process: The "Fear Periods" and "Socialization Windows".
Understanding these periods is essential for any pet parent or trainer, as these stages can significantly influence a dog's behavior throughout its life.
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Socialization Series Part 1
Have you ever been out with your dog when another dog goes lunging and barking by with a frantic apology from the owner…. “Sorry, he’s wasn’t socialized!”.
Or maybe you were the one with the embarrassing dog (I’ve been there!).
One of the most common things I hear from people when they’re telling me about any bad behavior their dog is exhibiting is often “they didn’t have proper socialization”.
We hear the term “socialization” thrown around a lot in the dog training world. Most people associate “socialization” with dogs being “dog-friendly”. But that’s not actually what proper socialization is at all!!
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Riding the Roller Coaster: The Ups and Downs of Dog Training
Dog training is a journey filled with twists and turns, much like a roller coaster. Just like the thrills of an amusement park ride, training your furry friend offers moments of sheer joy and triumph, unexpected plateaus, and occasionally, it might even feel like you're plummeting downhill. But don't worry! With Sit n Stay's guidance and over 20 years of positive dog training experience, you're in the best hands for this ride. (click the title to read the entire article)
Don’t let a dog’s deafness scare you away! With a little education and these helpful tips, training a deaf dog won’t be any harder than training a hearing dog. (click the title to Read More!)
Keep your dog from going crazy when you're stuck inside.
There are many reasons we occasionally need to stay indoors when normal playtime or walks outside isn’t possible. Sometimes it’s safety for us, our pets, or both! It can be due to an injury on our end or our pets, weather that is too hot or cold, poor air quality or something else!
No matter the reason, we all need to be prepared for those moments when we can’t play or walk outside like we want to. Here are some great ways to keep your pup happy AND safe!
The fantasy begins before you even bring your new bundle home. You’ve been envisioning life with this amazing dog, one you can take anywhere, who will come when you call, listen and respond to your every cue, who lies patiently on their bed while you’re busy and walks nicely on the leash, never pulling you off your feet.
Do you remember the Disney movie Homeward Bound? The movie featured two dogs, Chance and Shadow, along with their cat buddy, Sassy.
Shadow was a mature, well-mannered, obedient, regal, and refined…the perfect dog! He was often aghast at the antics of the ill-mannered, wild-child, always-in-trouble dog in his life, Chance.
If you have a dog at home, it’s likely that your dog falls somewhere in the middle of the Shadow-Chance spectrum.
And if that’s the case, dog obedience training is something that will benefit both you and your dog.
Dogs are inquisitive beings, exploring their worlds with their noses and mouths. Unfortunately, this leads to a common problem: choking.
They chew on all sorts of things, and if an object gets stuck in their throats or wrapped around their necks, their airways can become blocked leading to an unfortunately common emergency.
I’ve been volunteering a lot at our local SPCA, spending time with the dogs and the incredible, devoted staff that keep them safe and healthy while they wait for their forever homes.
As a dog lover, spending time with all these amazing creatures fills my heart. Each one, with their individual personalities, stories, and experiences is brimming with love and the desire to give it to some lucky family.
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They all have that quality that is so endearing in dogs, the desire to give their whole heart and soul to any human, despite what they’ve been through. It melts me every time!
As a dog trainer, I can’t help but see the potential in every dog there. No matter what occurred on their path to the shelter, I know that each dog has the ability to overcome their circumstances and improve their issues to become wonderful companions.
Unless…
Whether you realize it or not, you’re in a relationship with your dog. Maybe not the kind you’d display on your Facebook profile, but make no mistake, it’s real!
This can be a tricky concept for some people. We’re used to thinking of our human family members on one plane and the family dog on another.
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But when you consider that you live together, play together, travel together, and rely on each other for companionship and love, you realize that the relationship you have with your dog can be just as important and meaningful as any other relationship you have.
And just as in all relationships, it takes effort to maintain a healthy one.
When someone says they’re met their soulmate, everyone knows what they’re talking about. They’ve met someone they’re deeply connected to, someone who compliments their life perfectly, who accepts them and loves them just as they are.
When you think about it, those are the same qualities you find in most dogs!
Oh the decisions! Private training or group training? Day training or Board & Train?
The good news is you’ve got options. The bad news is…you’ve got options! You’ve got to decide which method is best for you and your dog.
The bottom line is that you want to keep your dog safe by training her to listen and respond to what you want. And you want to develop strong bonds and a loving, harmonious relationship with the dog that shares your home, your family, and your life. Whichever method you choose, rest assured you’ll have those two important needs met.