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"Wow! Is that what it means?"😮
Oh that word!
Socialisation is a word that conjures up visions of cute puppies playing with other dogs and pups. Socialisation "means" interacting with others doesn't it?
Yes and no.
It's not a great word to describe what should be a priority.
Acclimation is a far better term we should all start to use.
Acclimation to wet surfaces, stairs, wind, even standing in the rain.
Yes, it absolutely includes other animals too.
The trap is when people make other dogs or pups the main focus during that very important developmental time in a young puppies life.
We may forget that they haven't seen or heard a bus before.
Crowds of people aren't thought of.
A wheelchair or a scooter can be very unsettling for a young dog if they haven't come across one earlier in life.
Of course we do want our young puppies to interact and play with others.
There's a fine balance here too.
They shouldn't play with all others they come across, they shouldn't meet all others either.
Those experiences with others need well thought out and supervised.
Why?
Acclimation is still the goal. We want them to feel part of the world, but not develop such a strong emotional pull that they must greet and insist on playing with every dog.
Or they can start to physically pull you towards them.
Every dog they see.
Every walk.
If we allow puppies to meet and play with all others, that can be a very short path to a young dog that "insists" they must interact with all others.
That is what they learned when they were younger.
Choose your play partners wisely.
Think of everything this world has to offer and what you encounter everyday.
How can we expose them positively and carefully?
That's the goal.
Not "socialisation".
Oh that word!
Socialisation is a word that conjures up visions of cute puppies playing with other dogs and pups. Socialisation "means" interacting with others doesn't it?
Yes and no.
It's not a great word to describe what should be a priority.
Acclimation is a far better term we should all start to use.
Acclimation to wet surfaces, stairs, wind, even standing in the rain.
Yes, it absolutely includes other animals too.
The trap is when people make other dogs or pups the main focus during that very important developmental time in a young puppies life.
We may forget that they haven't seen or heard a bus before.
Crowds of people aren't thought of.
A wheelchair or a scooter can be very unsettling for a young dog if they haven't come across one earlier in life.
Of course we do want our young puppies to interact and play with others.
There's a fine balance here too.
They shouldn't play with all others they come across, they shouldn't meet all others either.
Those experiences with others need well thought out and supervised.
Why?
Acclimation is still the goal. We want them to feel part of the world, but not develop such a strong emotional pull that they must greet and insist on playing with every dog.
Or they can start to physically pull you towards them.
Every dog they see.
Every walk.
If we allow puppies to meet and play with all others, that can be a very short path to a young dog that "insists" they must interact with all others.
That is what they learned when they were younger.
Choose your play partners wisely.
Think of everything this world has to offer and what you encounter everyday.
How can we expose them positively and carefully?
That's the goal.
Not "socialisation".
On the 15th and 16th of November our teammates from across the state are all meeting up to make memories at the 2025 flyball nationals in Geelong 🙌 so without further ado...
💙❤️🤍INTRODUCING HOWLING HOUNDS OPEN DIVISION 1 💙❤️🤍
It's no secret that our team has had massive success this year claiming many Ist places in our division over the year so why not show off our beautiful dogs and have the best time racing to make memories that last a lifetime
don't worry, we are all prepared with our
uniform and custom leads
See you soon Geelong!
#flyball #flyballnationals2025
💙❤️🤍INTRODUCING HOWLING HOUNDS OPEN DIVISION 1 💙❤️🤍
It's no secret that our team has had massive success this year claiming many Ist places in our division over the year so why not show off our beautiful dogs and have the best time racing to make memories that last a lifetime
don't worry, we are all prepared with our
uniform and custom leads
See you soon Geelong!
#flyball #flyballnationals2025
