Puppy Missing Critical Socialisation Period

[melzawelza]

Had a friend tell me today that she met someone with a 5mth old pup. The pup was out on a walk going absolutely mental barking and carrying on at everything. It was clear that these behaviours are fear related

After having a chat to the owners she found out that the pup was purchased from a pet shop at 16 WEEKS OLD having spent most of his short life in a glass box.

The lady was booked to see a behaviouralist having realised that the pup needed help.

I'm very interested in opinions on what the prognosis for 'recovery' would be for this pup. Being a critical socialisation issue the pup will always have fear but could a pup like this lead a fairly normal life? what sort of techniques would you use with a pup that is scared of the world?

I've seen pups in pet shops close to this age before and despaired for their futures, has anyone ever had experience with a dog that spent the majority of his life in a pet shop and how did the dog turn out?

[Staff'n'Toller]

It's rehab depends on many factors..some are: the pup's bounce back after getting a fright, it's genetic make-up, whether it can relax enough out and about to pair a reward with a stressful stimulus, how much work the owner puts in, their handling ability; timing and ability to read the dog, the experience and methods of the behaviourist...the list goes on.

Can you get a dog that can cope 'well enough' in the world as a pet dog? Maybe.

Can you get a dog that is relaxed and happy in the world? Harder to predict.

There are lots of pups who are taken home and not really taken outside the home until 16 weeks or long after and they still do ok...again it depends on some of those factors above.

[ChristineX]

Its also a case of define 'recovery'. It sounds as though this pup has the best possible chance, given the actions of its owner. Best case scenario as I understand it, pretty much like any other dog, but not with quite the capacity to generalise. The example I was given that a dog with the type of care we'd all hope to give, with a habit of jumping in the car will probably just jump into the tractor in the field. The dog with a deprived start may well need to be taught to jump both into the car and into the tractor.

Duke, with a background (probably) of never getting into a street until 17 months of age (with me) and starting out totally hysterical (really not fun for anyone) is still much much happier at home. But he still likes getting out, its just the body language when you get home is 'wow- we were outside and survived!'

Like Duke, this pup may not ever feel totally comfortable out of the house, but you really don't know how far you can get until you try. Staff'n Toller is also quite right how far you do get depends on so many different factors, only some of which are under your control.

ChristineX

[lovemesideways]

I got my puppy Riddick when he was 16 weeks. He is from a breeder and had spent the majority of his time around her and in his home there.

When I got him, he would run for the hills if any person except me or mum tried to approach him (including my dad).

I did a huge amount of training with him, and now people don't even believe me when I tell them what he used to be like !

I think the reason his training went so fantastic is because for one thing, his genetics are amazing. His family are all loving well bred dogs who adore everything and anyone. Also I have worked on it every single day since I got him.

The key socialisation periods are important, but if something is missed out, it doesn't necessarily mean the end of the world. There are always factors it will depend on, but there is also always the ability to retrain.

I used a method I kind of patched together, derived from the book "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons. I highly suggest giving the book a read!

[Wazzat Xolo]

I received both my dogs after 4 months in a kennel environs then 7 months qtine kennel environs with limited social contact and def no usual ceople and noise contacts.

At 11 months I received them both and it has taken me a year of intense work and the help of a behaviourist but we are on the way to "normaility!!"

It can be done it just takes a bit of work.

[sas]

Pups can miss their socialisation period and not be mental, I would suggest that this dog prob has more of a genetic fear issue and that they need to work with a Behaviourist or at least get assessed by a Behaviourist so they know what they're working with.

Wazzat - I think your situation is a bit different because the pups were actually isolated.

[Nekhbet]

He may have been in a glass box but he has been exposed to noise, lots of people, children, being handled etc etc. So technically he's not that unsocialised compared to a alot of animals out there. The one thing I do HATE about pet store pups is that during critical period they are taught to pee and poo right on their beds or next to food. Now that is a long standing habit that sometimes never goes

Sounds like he's more just an out of control lunatic that the owner doesn have the skills to handle. As for being fear related how did you come up with that? Was his tail down? Ears back? Hackles up?

[aussielover]

We got clover at 5/6 months old, she had lived on with her breeder on a large property before that.

When she first came home she was terrified of cars and traffic. she basically got over it without us doing anything special after a few days at home with us.

She did have a really terrific calm temperament and came from a line of very stable temperamented dogs though.

I'm sure she received some socialisation at dog shows and at home with the breeder though.

I think while they are quite young there is still a good chance of socialising them and them becoming "normal" as long as the temperament is good.

[Wazzat Xolo]

Pups can miss their socialisation period and not be mental, I would suggest that this dog prob has more of a genetic fear issue and that they need to work with a Behaviourist or at least get assessed by a Behaviourist so they know what they're working with.

Wazzat - I think your situation is a bit different because the pups were actually isolated.

Yes very true SAS but just wanted to offer some hope that it can be done with help! lol and a LOT of work

[sas]

Pups can miss their socialisation period and not be mental, I would suggest that this dog prob has more of a genetic fear issue and that they need to work with a Behaviourist or at least get assessed by a Behaviourist so they know what they're working with.

Wazzat - I think your situation is a bit different because the pups were actually isolated.

Yes very true SAS but just wanted to offer some hope that it can be done with help! lol and a LOT of work

Absolutely!

[melzawelza]

Thanks for the replies guys. very interesting and useful should I ever come across this myself