Socialization: Use It or Lose It
As a breeder, I put an immense amount of work into your puppy before they ever leave my home. I use the Empowered Breeder program to introduce them to different sounds, textures, and experiences to build a foundation of bravery. However, it is vital to remember that socialization is a continuous process.
If you do not stay consistent and continually expose your puppy to the world, they can revert back and lose that confidence. Think of it as a muscle. If you do not exercise it, it gets weak. To keep your Great Dane steady and well adjusted, you must keep up the work I have started.
Continuing the Curriculum at Home
I send every puppy home with a checklist showing the ENS training and the specific curriculum items we have already covered. This is your roadmap. Your job is to take those foundations and apply them to your life together. Consistency is key to preventing regression.
Keep the momentum going by exposing your puppy to new sights and sounds in a positive way. Great examples include:
• Moving objects like a child on a bike or a neighbor on a skateboard.
• New appearances like a person wearing a bulky winter coat or a large hat.
• Safe observations of different animals from a distance.
• Life on the go like taking a car ride through a drive up window or visiting the vet just for a treat and a pet.
Go Slow: Quality Over Quantity
While consistency is important, you must remember not to overdo it. Start with small, low stress exposures and gradually increase the intensity. If you move too fast or overwhelm your puppy, you can cause them to become fearful instead of confident. Use positive reinforcement by giving a treat the moment the puppy shows curiosity or takes a step toward something new.
For example, if you want to socialize your puppy to a vacuum cleaner:
1. Let the puppy see the vacuum while it is turned off. Give them a treat for sniffing it or even just looking at it calmly.
2. Move the vacuum around while it is still turned off. Reward the puppy for staying relaxed.
3. Turn the vacuum on in a different room so the sound is muffled.
4. Eventually work up to having the vacuum on in the same room at a distance, rewarding them as they stay brave.
Understanding Body Language
To be a good advocate for your puppy, you must learn to read what they are telling you.
A confident puppy has a relaxed body, soft eyes, and a wagging tail. They are curious and willing to engage.
An overwhelmed puppy will show tension. Look for a tucked tail, whale eye where you see the whites of their eyes, lip licking, or yawning. They may try to hide behind your legs or freeze in place.
Never Force the Interaction
One of the most important things to remember is to never force your puppy to do something. Forcing them to interact with something or someone when they are scared will only teach them that they are not safe with you. Always let the puppy choose to approach on their own time. When they have a choice, they build true confidence.