One in Three Dog Bites Due to Socialisation Issues
UNFAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT – PDSA urges owners to socialise puppies properly
Over one in three* dog bites are triggered by dogs being patted or stroked by a stranger, says leading veterinary charity PDSA. It recommends owners getting their puppy socialised as early as possible to stop them growing up to be a danger to themselves and to members of the public.
Sean Wensley, Senior Veterinary Surgeon, says: “The ‘socialisation period’ is a critical time in a puppy’s development, when the puppy learns how to interact with other dogs and people. This important time starts at about three weeks of age and ends at about 12 weeks. So, if you have just become a new puppy owner we strongly recommend that you see your vet for advice on socialisation as a priority.”
He continues: “An increasing number of veterinary practices hold puppy parties to allow your puppy to meet others in a safe environment while they’re still young. The more your puppy experiences other dogs, people, sights and sounds, the more relaxed and well adjusted they will become as adults.“ Without this, fear of the unknown can lead to aggression in later life.
Another key factor in raising a well-adjusted and well-behaved dog is training. Puppies have the greatest potential for learning, but it’s never too late to start training a dog.
PDSA produces a free Dog Training Leaflet which gives an introduction to the most useful commands and effective training techniques. This forms part of a range of leaflets on pet care topics including First Aid, Diet and Nutrition and Vaccinations. The leaflets are available from PDSA PetAid hospitals and charity shops nationwide. Further information can be obtained from www.pdsa.org.uk or by calling freephone 0800 917 2509.
Time to get familiar
Ten things your puppy should get used to
• A wide variety of friendly, vaccinated, dogs, such as those belonging to family members or friends.
• Young people and children (under supervision).
• Men and women of different ages.
• People of different ethnic groups.
• People using aids, such as wheelchairs, walking sticks and umbrellas.
• People in different types of clothes, e.g. hats and scarves.
• Household appliances, such as vacuum cleaner, washing machine (introduce gradually).
• Travelling in the car – beginning with short journeys to nice places.
• Being alone – gradually get them used to being left alone for increasing lengths of time, up to a couple of hours.
• The noise of thunder and fireworks. Commercially available CDs can help a puppy gradually get used to sounds like these.
*35.4% – Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Annual Review of Cases 2005
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The socialisation period must commence with the breeder,its a sad reflection on who is breeding when I continually get emails asking “my puppy is biting, being aggressive …….” the list is endless. I have also noticed of late that many of these pups are leaving the mother far too young, some at 6 weeks even. Others at eight weeks are still too young and breeders must research how to do their job correctly before they simply place two dogs together to make 10.
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Joy van Veen Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 12:29 am
As a guide dog trainer, I find that unless the breeder is going to work with the pups individually, at least 10 minutes at a time; I prefer to get the pup between 7 to 8 weeks of age. Otherwise the pup may become too dog oriented, and not enough human oriented; to be a good guide dog. The ideal is the breeder who will go the extra distance to work with each pup (intro to noisy things, strange smells, unusual sights, stairs, etc.). But few breeders do this.
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