Socialisation

Henley having fun with a cardboard box.

When I got Henley I knew that for the both of us to be happy and sane that I would have to take him out and about to introduce him to the big bad world. One of the most important things I had been told, read about and planned to do with him was socialise, socialise, socialise! I feel that to have a well rounded and confident dog in nearly all situations you have to put in the groundwork when the pup is young. Between the ages of 3 weeks to 17 weeks is the crucial time where any and all experiences shape the puppies development. Socialisation from an early age to a number of different environments, people and dogs (selectively chosen, healthy and up to date with their vaccinations) will mean that your pup will grow into a confident and relatable adult. 

The breeder from which Henley was born from started socialising the pups right from the beginning which gave him the best start off he could possibly have. There are different types of socialising that can be done with your new pup. Introducing him or her to new people, smells, sounds, textures, tastes and sights provides them with a large database of situations and experiences from which they can learn and reference later in life. I was also aware of veterinary advice I received to not allow him in areas where dogs frequent to help prevent him from catching any illnesses before he had his full set of vaccinations. So there’s the dilemma to socialise or not socialise? I chose to be as careful as possible but still take him out and about and introduce him to the world. I avoided any dog filled areas and often carried him or sat him on my lap. 

Socialising can be a tiring job.

I must say that one thing I loved about socialising Henley was that when we came home from any outing he was worn out. And with Vizsla’s any down time is precious. Initially he was shocked when he met new things like standing outside a school when all of the children are going home. But once he looked up and saw that I wasn’t worried and that the kids were actually pretty awesome to lick and be petted by he soon became confident and carefree (that is as long as the strangers were paying attention to him). I always make sure that whenever Henley is afraid of something new (that he doesn’t need to be afraid) I show that I am perfectly fine and that there’s nothing to be scared of. As dogs rely so much on body language and take their cues from other dogs and animaIs (humans included) by reading body language I think that its important to show what kind of response to a situation that I want him to emulate. I know that when I was a child and unsure or scared of something that I didn’t have to be that it always helped that my parents showed that they weren’t scared and that I didn’t have to either. So I think that the more Henley can experience and live each day without being nervous and anxious about every new thing that he comes across will only strengthen our bond, and make life easier/smoother for both of us.

Henley still gets startled by some new sounds or experiences but he has learnt to go with the flow and take his cue from my response to each situation. He does have what I would call a distrust versus a fear of true hand held Dyson vacuum whereas with the large floor Dyson vacuum he is quite content to nap next even when its being used. So  doe your dog have any specific fears? And how did/ are you dealing with these fears?