Socializing Your Puppy For Protection Part 2

Now that we have talked about socializing your puppy to people
and vehicles, it is time to discuss some lesser thought of
environmental factors that can contribute a great deal to the
ability of your protection dog. Far too often I have seen even
trained police dogs fail simple tasks because of a lack of
exposure to certain environments that we encounter everyday. In
order to have complete confidence in your dog’s protection
ability, the dog must have complete confidence in every
environment. In addition, certain environmental stimuli can have
a drastic effect upon your dog. To overcome any apprehensiveness
your dog may have to some of the more common environmental
conditions, you must work your dog in these environments, paying
special attention to your dog’s confidence and stress level.

One of the most common situations we encounter almost everyday
but can be very stressful to a dog are stairs. I have seen time
and again very strong dogs cower at the sight of stairs. This is
understandable, I don’t like to walk up them either. But, for
the future protection dog, this is unacceptable. Start by
walking your dog up and down a few steps, and gradually work
him/her up to larger flights such as in a high rise building or
parking garage. It is important that your dog is exposed to
large flights, maybe 30-40 steps, with a platform and another
flight.

I can think of 100 situations this might be important, but it is
mainly for the reasons I can’t think of. Your dog may be called
upon to search for an intruder, or give defense in a stairwell.
In addition, this part of the socialization process is important
to allow you to take your dog wherever you may want to go.

Loud noises are another aspect of socialization the dog must go
through. Your dog should encounter this as part of his/her
regular protection training, however; it is important not to
anchor your dog to the point where loud noises are always heard
in conjunction with bite training. Some dogs will be able to
cope with gunshots and other loud noises while in drive, but in
their everyday life may run away from the source. It is
important then to teach the dog to ignore gunshots, cars
backfiring, firecrackers,etc. rather then to agress on them as
in training. This way you have a well disciplined protection
dog, who does not agress instantly at loud noises.

In the next installment we will discuss more environmental
stimuli that your dog should be exposed to, darkness and tight
spaces. Keep up the good work!