My 4 month-old German Shepherd puppy is very sweet and loving. When I take him to work or for a walk, total strangers come up and want to pet him. He is very friendly and will lean on their leg while they pet and scratch him. Yesterday someone told me that I should not let anyone touch him that way, that I should be the only one to do it. It does make a certain amount of sense to me that I should be the only one to reward him with something that he really loves. Should I tell people only to pat his head, or what?

Dove
Heck yeah I would let people pet my pup. I think maybe head patting could be unpleasant for dogs -anything from the experts out there on that? -but generally puppies enjoy new experiences and people. Don't sweat his happy reaction to strangers-he's a kid and the world is all good.
Plus you get to meet lots of new people. A bonus for us social types, a good learning tool for the more introverted among us.

I think this is one of the most important questions for raising working dogs.

I personally let people physically praise and pet my dogs. . .a little, especially when meeting. I think it is important to allow that level of socialization with young developing dogs. I will even let people give treats or play some. All positive experiences with people during early socialization, I think, is important.

Here is the BUT, I don't let people play with training toys, I don't let people play rough games or dominate the dogs. (unless we are in structured training) It is very important that the dog is more interested in playing with you than anyone else.

I think how far you go when letting your dog socialize has more to do with the foundaton relationship you build with the dog, than with letting a few people scratch his ear. If the dog is very focused on you, you can stretch the limits, if not then maybe you have more work to do. The dog should look to you for all the best stuff, the dog should understand that stuff isn't free, the dog should be pretty well bonded with you, and if possible I don't let the dogs have free access to people till they do something for it. Sit, then go smell the new guy in the office.

Its hard to post exactly what I do, because it is usually a situation based decision as to how much attention I let others give them.

I NEVER LET PEOPLE CORRECT THE DOGS, that's my job. I never let people play stupid "lets scare the dog games" or "oooo, is he a tough dog. I'm not affraid of him."

Anybody else?? I know there are a few hardliners out there with a more exteme view of working dog socialization.

Now I'm worried that I wasn't clear-your puppy will not love YOU any less if other people love on him now. Your bond is not diminished by your pup's social life.
The people who preach this isolation stuff mean well, but they are encouraging you to raise a dog who may become so nervous around strangers that he could be a liability. A well-bred pup should be happy to meet people.

I have always socialized my puppies similar to what Robert mentioned,what he said I totally agree with.I always found with my Rotties,I don't know if the same goes with GSD's,that they naturally,as they formed the bond with me as they got older became less wanting to go up to other people for attention.Now please no one jump on me I don't mean in any way that they became vicous,they remain confident around people because of the early socialization and good experiences with strangers but gained sort of an aloofness,for lack of a better word.Sort of a why do I need a stranger to pet and play with me when I got my Mom attitude.

Posted '"ITS HARD TO POST EXACTLY WHAT I DO"

a-men

Socialization is very important. I would also like to stress: especially with children. Let your pup have as much positive exposure to children as possible. Key word, positive!

I want to thank everyone for their kind and helpful replies. I was concerned because my last shepherd was so friendly that we used to figure if a burglar came around he' invite them in. This little guy seems to have a bit more protective instinct and will bark at people who make sudden moves at him. I want him to grow up to be the kind of dog that is not afraid of strangers but is more reserved than my last dog.

It may be that I am letting people do too much. He goes over to them (I will start making him sit first), and leans on their leg while they scratch not only his ear, but his chest and sides and sometimes he slides to the ground so they can scratch his tummy. And essentially this stuff is free, so based on what I am hearing, I think I may limit the length of time that he can spend with strangers and that means he won't get to the tummy scratching stage. What do you think?

Originally posted by Dove Pierce:
I was concerned because my last shepherd was so friendly that we used to figure if a burglar came around he' invite them in. Most will see a GSD and not want to get close enough to find out if they are friendly. Even if he is super friendly, he will probably bark in anticipation of a greeting and the potential burglar won't know the difference. I'll never have to find out with Auster, because she gets excited enough when someone is at the door to notify the whole subdivision (not quite, but it can't be slept through in the house).

Well that's exactly what my guy didn't do. He practically never barked at anything. When the doorbell rang he wanted to run to the door, but he didn't bark. And he didn't try to keep anyone from coming in. Well that's a different dog. I just want this one to think more about what's happening.