We hear a lot about the importance of "socializing" our dog or puppy, but what does this mean and why is it important? Socialization may be described as the process whereby an animal learns to recognize and interact with the species with which it cohabits. By learning how to interact with these the socialized dog develops communication skills which allow it to recognize, among other things, whether it is being threatened and how to recognize and respond to the intentions of others. David Appleby, "Puppy Socialisation and Habituation (part 1)." 

Habituation may be described as the process whereby an animal becomes accustomed to non-threatening environmental stimuli and learns to ignore them. David Appleby, "Puppy Socialisation and Habituation (part 1). Socialization and habituation are important in creating a mentally sound dog able to confidently relate with people and animals. A puppy who is inadequately socialized or habituated may grow into an adult dog who is fearful of people, other dogs, or novel things the dog encounters. Fearful responses can develop even in the absence of unpleasant experiences with certain stimuli. In explanation, dogs must be alert to danger in order to survive and anything that the dog is not familiar with must be treated as if it were potentially dangerous.

Examples of animals that were inadequately socialized or habituated may be seen every day. Shelters often receive dogs who are labeled "abused" because the animal responds fearfully to certain people, for example, men with beards. However, there is a possibility that the animal has not been abused. The animal may simply never have seen a man with a beard! My personal experience with this was with a Borzoi pup I purchased when she was approximately six (6) months old. She had been raised with other Borzoi but had never seen a dog of another breed. The first dog of another breed that she saw caused her to react very fearfully. Until her death, she was wary of non-Borzoi looking dogs. In addition, there is a higher risk for aggression in dogs that are not adequately and properly socialized.

In 1961 Freedman, King and Elliot identified the age of three (3) weeks as the start of the puppy’s critical period, in terms of social and environmental interaction and the commencement of their capacity to develop social relationships. The critical period for habituation appears to be the same. A stimulus rich environment is needed from the age of approximately three (3) weeks on. Not coincidentally, three (3) weeks is the period at which the puppy is able to see and hear. This is not to suggest that one should take home a pup at three (3) weeks of age! It is critical for socialization that the pup stay with its mother until, at the very least, seven (7) weeks of age. The preferable age is approximately nine (9) weeks or older. What this really indicates is that finding a responsible breeder who provides extensive, early, puppy habituation and socialization with dogs, people and other species such as cats, is very important in obtaining a mentally sound dog. Socialization and habituation must be conducted in a controlled manner as well. All initial experiences with animals, people and objects must be good experiences so the pup does not become fearful from unpleasant events. To guarantee good experiences introduce the pup to calm, pleasant, people, nice animals and non-harmful things in a controlled environment, provide a lot of positive reinforcement (treats) and let the dog move at his/her own pace.

Socialization can wear off too. A pup that was properly socialized and then who is denied social opportunities for a long period of time will behave much as if they were not properly socialized or habituated. What this means to the pet owner is that you should continue exposing and re-exposing your pup to as many people, animals, things and situations as possible, in a controlled manner, throughout the life of the dog.