What is Pit Bull Socialization and Why is it Important
Socialization is the process of introducing your pit bull to new experiences, making them comfortable in new environments, around new dogs, other pets and people. This process will help to enhance your pit bull’s social skills and adaptability to new situations, resulting in a happier, more confident dog. Dogs that have not been properly socialized can be prone to fear, anxiety and even aggression. As responsible pit bull owners, we need to do everything we can to ensure the health and happiness of our dogs and to help to combat the negative stereotypes associated with our pet.
Socializing Your Pit Bull Puppy
It is advantageous to socialize your pit bull as early as possible. Dogs learn from experience. You have the opportunity to teach them to be comfortable in the world around them each time you interact with your puppy.
Puppies learn and retain things the easiest between 1 and 4 months of age. The socialization process should be slow and measured. Don’t introduce your new puppy to too much, too soon. It is important that your puppy becomes comfortable in her new home environment first. In this way, your new puppy will begin to treat new experiences with curiosity and not fear. Once your puppy is comfortable and happy in your home environment, you can begin to introduce your puppy to the world outside of your home. Take your puppy on short walks and introduce her to new surfaces and environments. Remember to keep these initial forays short. Your puppy tires easily at this age. And you don’t want to overwhelm your puppy with too many new sensations. Overdoing it at this stage will cause your puppy to associate walks with anxiety instead of curiosity and excitement. Initially, avoid crowded areas with lots of dogs and people. And make sure that your puppy receives all her shots before introducing her to any new dogs.
It is important to introduce your puppy to as many different people as possible, just not all at once. This can be done in your home environment as well as while out on walks. Introducing them to the mailman or anyone else in uniform is beneficial as well to make your puppy comfortable around authority figures who may be dressed this way. You want your puppy to be comfortable around everyone that you are comfortable with.
Most importantly, keep the socialization process positive! Never verbally or physically reprimand your puppy. Instead, use positive reinforcement to reward proper behavior. If you sense your puppy is beginning to act inappropriately, distract her with a treat and redirect her attention. Never jerk on a leash. You want your puppy to think her redirection is her idea, not something she is being forced into. Puppy training classes are a great way to socialize your young pit bull with other puppies in a controlled environment. These classes will not only create a stronger bond between you and you puppy, you’ll receive valuable training tips as well.
Socializing Your Older Pit Bull
Just as with a puppy, socializing your older pit bull should be done gradually. Remember, your pit bull ended up in a shelter for a reason, often neglect or abuse. It is important to take time to get to know your new dog and allow him to get comfortable in his new environment and with his new family. Once he has settled in, you can take him on walks around the neighborhood to familiarize him with his broader, new environment. Begin introducing your new pit bull to new people and new dogs. It is better, at first, to introduce your new pittie to a dog that you know well who is openly friendly to other dogs. During this interaction, be mindful of your dog’s visual clues. Is he aggressive, tentative, or is he wagging enthusiastically? If your pittie shows any signs of aggression, distract him with a treat and gently walk him away from the encounter. And always provide praise and positive reinforcement for a friendly interaction.
Obedience classes are a terrific way to further socialization and to bond more closely with your new dog. Your dog will learn valuable commands like the Look Command, and Stay, Come and Emergency Recall. These classes and commands train your dog to always look to you for direction in a new situation and will make him a more observant, relaxed and happy dog. Obedience classes also provide an opportunity to properly socialize your pittie with other dogs and other people in a controlled environment. Your instructor will also give you ways to control and/or eliminate any undesirable behavior your pittie may exhibit.
Common Socialization Mistakes
One common misconception is that dogs want to be around other dogs. The truth is dogs don’t need other dog friends to thrive and be happy. You want your dog to be comfortable around other dogs and people, but its more important that they be well socialized and happy at home.
I also recommend avoiding dog parks. This crowded and often chaotic environment can be stress-inducing for your dog. Other owners tend to congregate together and ignore their dog’s behavior in this situation, putting everything off as just play. This is a great opportunity for your dog to learn undesirable behavior from other dogs. It is also a great environment for spreading disease.
Remember, it is not necessary to introduce your dog to every person or other dog you encounter. Encouraging your dog to interact too much or too often can be stressful for your dog and teaches him that other dogs and people are more important than you.
Finally, never try to placate your dog when it exhibits undesirable behaviors like fear or aggression. Petting or telling your dog its o.k. when they begin to misbehave simply rewards them for bad behavior. This will teach them to get their way, rather than to look to you for direction.
