Last week’s column spoke of the importance of early socialization and learning basic obedience. This week’s column expands a bit more on the socialization part of the equation of raising a happy, confident, outgoing dog.
One of the most important things regarding socialization should ideally be considered even before a pet parent acquires a new puppy. This is the potential pet’s breed (or predominant breed if the pup is a mix). Some breeds, such as Pitbull Terriers, may require additional positive socialization more than other more mild-mannered breeds such as Golden Retrievers. The reason for this is that Pitbull Terriers were originally bred to fight and guard their families and homes.
Other ‘bully’ breeds, such as Boxers and English Bulldogs, were also originally bred as fighting dogs but have had much of the fighting spirit bred out of them. (Can you actually imagine a fat little English Bulldog waddling around in a fighting ring? He probably wouldn’t stand much of a chance of winning.) Because Pitbull Terriers as well as other breeds known for potential aggression, such as Cane Corsos and Presa Canarios, have been used as fighting dogs in recent breed history, these dogs must be carefully socialized from a very early age around diverse people as well as diverse dogs (especially dogs since these breeds were used in dogfights) in controlled situations.
It’s interesting to note that the Pitbull Terrier used to be regarded as the ideal family pet back in the early 20th century. If anyone reading this knows who Buster Brown was (hint–he was a little boy in a comic strip around the turn of the 20th century and also had a children’s clothing line named after him), they may be surprised to know that Buster’s faithful dog Tige was a Pitbull. Anyone who watched the old Our Gang/Little Rascals short films knows Pete the Pup. Again–a Pitbull.
It’s only been in fairly recent history that this breed has earned the reputation of being an aggressive fighting dog. If a Pitbull Terrier puppy is to become a happy, outgoing, confident dog, the pet parent MUST be willing and able to socialize, socialize, socialize in controlled settings around diverse people and dogs. If the parent is unable (or unwilling) to put in the time and effort required, then perhaps a Pitbull Terrier is not the right breed for them. The newspapers and television are full of stories of Pitbulls and other breeds known for aggression that have been poorly socialized (if at all) ending in tragic consequences.
On the flip side, let’s say that the potential pet parent has decided that they would rather have a ‘people’ dog like a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever. Even though these breeds are traditionally known as being wonderful family companions, they still must be socialized properly. Bear in mind that an adult dog has the approximate mental and emotional capacity of a 3- or 4-year-old human child. Nobody in their right mind would place a toddler in the middle of a group of different kinds of people and dogs and expect them to not freak out.
However, there are many pet parents who for some reason think that their puppy is ‘automatically’ socialized and ready for any situation because he’s a Lab. It’s a little-known (and unfortunate) fact that Golden Retrievers rank highly among those breeds reported for dog bites. This is almost certainly due to the myth that these breeds don’t need to be socialized because it’s somehow already built into their behavior. And here’s an important side note: Most dog bites are the result of fear on the part of the dog. Bites rarely happen without warning–but the victim either ignored or incorrectly interpreted the dog’s warning behavior. If the dog feels threatened, it may become a case of ‘bite first and ask questions later’–which (again) usually ends tragically.
So–at the risk of sounding like a broken record–no matter what breed your dog is, or what breed you’re contemplating on acquiring, early socialization–and plenty of it–is key to raising a healthy, happy canine member of your family.
