Socializing your new puppy
There are two main factors that determine whether your dog will be either sociable with everyone they meet, overprotective, aloof, or somewhere in between. These two factors are genetics and environment.
Most dog breeds were created with certain characteristics in mind. Characteristics that would be passed on genetically from parent to puppy. For example, scent hounds are bred for a good nose, and this trait is passed down to their progeny. Sight hounds have a genetic, uncontrollable urge to chase. Livestock guardian dogs have a built in protection switch, whether they are protecting sheep or protecting the children in their family. And Jack Russell Terriers are intense hunters by nature. These traits can also vary within their respective breeds as well. Dogs that come from certain kennels or lines may exhibit more or less of certain behaviours than others. Which is why it is so important to choose wisely, a puppy that will fit in with your lifestyle. A basic rule of thumb is to always remember that the puppy will often behave much the same as it’s parents.
But just because a dog is genetically predisposed toward certain behaviours does not mean that there is no hope. Proper socialization early on in life will help make your puppy a wonderful, trustworthy member of your family.
Some key points
As soon as your puppy comes home start introducing it to everyone and everything.
Always, always make absolutely certain never to scare the puppy.
Make every experience as happy and fun as possible.
Never force the pup to endure an experience that it is afraid of.
A puppy that is frightened early on in life, will often carry that bad experience into it’s adult years. If it is frightened by a strange person, then it may always be scared of that person or the situation where it was first frightened. Then of course the pup may fall back on it’s natural survival instincts and bite or bark ferociously to defend itself from what, in it’s mind, is a very real threat. So it is imperative to always make every new experience a happy one.
Every day, the pup should be exposed to new sights and sounds. A car ride, new people, new smells, another dog (short, sweet, and supervised), cats and other animals, etc. The key is to socialize the pup every day. Even an adult dog that has had a bad experience can become less afraid, if it is properly socialized afterward. The older dog may still feel nervous about the scary situation, but it will often learn how to deal with those feelings and control them. But again the key is to ensure that each experienced is well planned and executed for success.
Lack of proper daily socialization will often result in serious behavioural problems
Some Jack Russell Terriers are notorious for being territorial and over protective, then others are happy-go-lucky pups that never give a moments trouble.
Some are protective over their food, toys or tails, and others love to share,
Some never warm up to strangers, and some like everyone they meet,
Some do not like strange dogs, and others may run off and play with anything furry,
Some Jacks love playing for hours at a time with any child, while others will not tolerate being touched, even by children in their own families,
While some Jacks may be happy covering only 30km each week, most thrive with 3 or 4 times that much at least, and if their needs are not met, may find destructive outlets for their pent up energy.
Remember
It is always good to keep in mind that, you can take the Jack out of the hunt, but you cannot take the hunt out of the Jack. No matter how socialized or how trustworthy your pup has become, it is still a hunting dog, and should be properly supervised at all times.
We have several terriers and several children all living together, not to mention several farm animals and visitors, proof that good socialization can work wonders.
The age old argument of nature vs. nurture may rage until the end of time, but one thing is for certain. There is no substitute for proper socialization and proper supervision.
A well socialized dog is a happy dog, and a joy to take with you where ever you go.
All content, including pictures, copyrighted © by Prairie Jacks - 2008.
