Training In Socialisation Period

[Just Midol]

Been watching some of the NDTF dvds again tonight and had a thought.

Since training in the socialisation period is considered to be almost permanent how come we don't train puppies whilst young to avoid things such as snakes and breeds like huskies to avoid things like cats?

Surely it wouldn't be that hard, and since so much emphasis is placed on how important it is to get adequate socialisation in through weeks 3-14 then wouldn't it be the perfect time to do some kind of aversion training?

I assume there is a reason it is not done though, so why isn't it?

Edited May 26, 2008 by Lord Midol

[dogdude]

There are many angles that you could look at this Midol.

I would want to keep the natural inheritted drives and use them to my advantage in training.

If more people knew how, there would be very few dogs in pounds.

The very drive that we bred for in the first place is what is sealing their fate on death row.

Just dosn't make sense at all, does it?

Older breeds trying to fit into modern society because we "like the look of them".

[Just Midol]

Ahh, yes, I thought that it might do something to their drive. That was the only reason I could think of that we don't do it.

So it isn't possible to train them to avoid things at a young age and have their drive remain intact?

[dogdude]

Without being an expert in drive training....you can make the dog believe that your prey item is higher valued than other prey. Not sure that it can be taught at such a young age though.

[Lablover]

Ahh, yes, I thought that it might do something to their drive. That was the only reason I could think of that we don't do it.

So it isn't possible to train them to avoid things at a young age and have their drive remain intact?

Sure, youngsters learn what they perceive as dangerous. I think the problem is generally we may not be able to set up a situation correctly, without negative fallout.

[WalandLibby]

I'm a committed reward trainer, so I wouldn't do it even it I could, but until the fear response develops, I don't actually think it would be possible (which is about 8-9 wks usually). After that they'd be in a fear imprint stage, and the fallout from being corrected (by a human or the environment) could be profound.

In the case of breeds that tend to be predatory towards cats, you'd have a good chance of them recognising cats as individuals that are of social interest, rather than prey, simply by socialising them to cats from early on and continuing it as they grow.

Edited June 5, 2008 by WalandLibby