I'm a little confused about some information. In the video "8 weeks to 8 months" Ed talks about socializing your puppy with people (strangers), and even shows you how to do it. However, I've read a Q&A on the Leerburg site ( http://www.leerburg.com/qaworkingpup.htm ) stating that you should NEVER let anyone touch your dog.

I'm confused. Which is it? Why wouldn't you want anyone to pet your dog?

The only thing I can think of is that the later is in reference to a personal protection puppy.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

It totally depends on what your goal is for the dog.
Will you be doing something with the dog, where his being nicely social would be to your advantage? Like agility, obedience trial, SAR, etc? Then social the h*ll out of him!!

Planning on having him as a serious ppd? Then I'd go with only family members getting to touch the dog.

It all depends on the goals that you set.

I'll admit that I haven't seen that particular video, but I question whether the definition of socialization as it pertains to dogs means that strangers are free to pet your dog, or give him treats? For me, the answer is NO. I always thought of socialization as getting my dog out in as many different environments as possible. Letting him see lots of people, and being able to walk past them with confidence. Doesn't mean everyone needs to pet my dog.

I agree with you John. I plan on ppd with my pups. I sure wouldn't want my dog later on to think when a intruder comes into my home that he starts to think he's going to get a rubdown or a treat. BUt that's just my personal oppinion. when I see things posted that don't pertain to what i want to accomplish I go by the rule "If it don't apply, let it fly". But that's just me. That socialization point is very valid though.

Melvin

Will: To answer your question, it will be a family dog and SchH dog.

John: I agree with your definition of socialization. The video showed Ed asking 3 college kids to pet and feed his puppy treats.

I would assume then that that video is not geared to a PPD dog?

Is it a bad idea to let my puppy interact with a lot of different people, or is it okay, provided I feel it will be a positive experience for the pup?

One thing I will not do is let my dog meet strange dogs. Only a select few dogs outside of my SchH club will be allowed to interact with him because I know these dogs personally.

Allow me to back up a moment here. If we are talking about a very young puppy, (7 to 14 weeks old) then I don't see the problem with people petting him etc. as long as YOU control the situation. I don't like it when people just take the liberty of petting my dog on their own.

You'll find as pups grow up and are no longer fluffy little furballs, that fewer people want to approach you anyway. My point is (and I assume it's the point of the video) is that through this process the dog learns that people are okay, and isn't intimidated by them.

Owning a Schutzhund dog isn't about owning a dog that is a people hater. Many of these dogs are very friendly social animals. Not all, but most are. As the dog grows up I lessen his interaction with people petting him. I just want him to be indifferent of people. Not afraid of them, but not feeling a big need to be everyone's buddy either. I want to be the center of my dog's attention and I will give him what he needs. That is the goal that I strive for in my training.

As for socializing a PPD that is whole other realm that I have no experience in. Will would be the man to talk to about that.

John,

That's exactly the info I needed. Thanks for clearing things up.

Christian

The 8 weeks to 8 Month Video, along with the Basic Obedience Video, are geared towards owners that desire a well behaved dog. And socialization plays a major role in that.
Training a dog for serious protection work is another matter, and Ed has specific video's regarding the selection and training of dogs in this field. But in the dogs early life, a protection dog could be trained via those two video's and come out just fine for pp or police work - it just depends on the dogs temperment.

Also, different trainers allow different levels of interaction with people with their puppy. Berhard told us that his club members get to pet his puppy for one session *only*, and then never again. But the dog that he trains at his club is often his full time Police Canine, so he's approaching it from a different view than a sport dog owner or pet owner would take.

And John is correct here, a dog that is indifferent to people will be the most adaptable to new people and situations, which is ideal for a sport or general background. And that's what most people want. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I was also confused because Ed goes into detail on how to socialize your dog with people and get them to think that "people are little treat machines," but thenm in the Basic OB. video, he goes on about how you should never allow strangers to pet, or greet your dog.

I'm thinking that this was a mistake and the segment on the Basic Ob. video was possibly from another one his Videos for working dogs and he didn't realize their was conflicting information.

Ed???

Christian,

Our 12 week old GSP will also be a family dog and a schH dog.

Regarding socialization. I asked this same question (just what am I doing when I "socialize") to my breeder. Her reply was..that by taking trips to busy places like a home depot, outside stores etc, I would be exposing the pup to all walks of life. Meaning people, sounds, activity ..basically all the variables of the big world. The purpose of this, (as she explained to me) is so that a working dog is used too various looks, types of people, sounds etc. When they are working, or learning their line of work, they do not see these variances as anomilies. The only deviance from the norm we want him to see..is what we are training him to do with schH work. I guess I can understand why having strangers touch our dogs wouldn't be the best thing.

That made more sense to me (the way my breeder explained it to me) so we have just started this ourselves with our pup. However, right now, our pup has little fear of new people so he wants to introduce himself LOL. We are learning ....but it sure can be confusing, training and raising a pup for schH...as we know it's different then raising a pup for pet only. I'm still trying to define that line!
:rolleyes: