Socialization For Older Puppies - Answered by J. Sansregret

[ThaiGhing]

Anyone have any ideas how to socialize an older ( almost 7 month old) puppy?? Thai is super friendly to those he sees regularily (ie. me, my husband, my parents, my siblings, neices and nephews, my husbands parents, sibling, grandparents, etc). But when we are out walking in our neighbourhood, and people approach us (which they do often as he is quite a looker! LOL)... he always backs away from them. There is no barking, or growling, just slowly backs away from them. When they do not speak to us, and simply walk by, he will often approach them and sniff at them as they walk past us. I am just curious, as to how I can socialize him a little more. I understand the breed is not very social ( he is a smooth chow chow)... but I still would like him to be a little more confident around strangers. Any suggestions would be helpful. He has graduated primary obidience, and I am successful in getting him in a sit-stay around strangers, but when they want to pet him... he slowly moves backwards... like he is not sure if they are ok or not... Pls help us... so we can be more social... by the way, he loves all other animals.. and does not respond this way with strange animals he hasnt met before.. Thanks

[mastifflover]

Chows can be aloof, but don't despair it just takes time. When a stranger is approaching get him to sit and kneel down with him and talk to him I always tell Bud it's okay. Bud is a rescue and very leary of men. If he starts to back away I tell him it is okay and bend down to his level and I also find that if he is still scared and watching me I will touch the persons arm and say it is okay again and he will usually let them pat him, he is not aggresssive with stangers he is more scared than anything. He trusts me not to let anybody hurt him and if I say it is okay he will usually be alright, if he still wants nothing to do with them then I don't push him. Always reward him and tell him how good he is.

[Lucky Rescue]

Agree with mastifflover. Chows are not sociable dogs, and generally do not like strangers. I wouldn't allow strangers to approach him. I"ve never known any Asian breeds who are friendly to strangers.

IF people want to pet him, you'll have to say no. He sounds great and loving with family, and that's about as good as it will get.

[ThaiGhing]

I think its the towering over him that he doesnt like.... children approach us daily on our walks... he has no problem with children petting him, cuddling him, etc. But they are more on his level. So maybe the crouching down thing will work. I am gonna try that. One of the people I know suggested getting strangers to give him a treat, what do you think of this???

[GsdDiamond]

Personally, I don't let any strangers give my dog treats. Only people she sees on a regular basis, and only if I (or my partner) tell Diamond it's ok.

The main reason for this is to prevent her from possible poisoning/illness in the future. You can't trust all strangers, and the dog should learn that you, or those you allow, are the ONLY sources of food. Petting and playing is ok, but not food.

[mastifflover]

I don't allow anyone to give Buddy treats unless they are from my pocket. I have had a dog poisoned and I would not want that to happen to anybody else's dog.

[Writing4Fun]

Here is what the AKC website has to say about the breed standard:
"Temperament
Keen intelligence, an independent spirit and innate dignity give the Chow an aura of aloofness. It is a Chow's nature to be reserved and discerning with strangers. Displays of aggression or timidity are unacceptable. Because of its deep set eyes the Chow has limited peripheral vision and is best approached within the scope of that vision."
No one is saying they are vicious, just not easilly accepting of strangers.

[Lucky Rescue]

b.s. negative stereotype.

Calm down. My comments were in no way meant as negative, or sterotypical, but merely as a fact concerning a breed trait.

I did not say they were vicious - merely that they are not as accepting of strangers as some other breeds may be.

Of course every dog is an individual, and there may be many Chows who love strangers, but that is not a typical breed trait. And that is just a fact, not a criticism. Can you see the difference?

Many dogs are wary or suspicious of strangers because they were bred that way, to do a job. A Neapolitan mastiff or an Akbash dog wouldn't do it's job very well if it fawned all over strangers, would it?

[debanneball]

My best friend has a chow, he is aloof, stand offish, doesn't bark or growl at strangers, but does back off. I agree with Lucky, Mastiff and Writing, sorry Dinah. Shelby does not play with toys of any kind, will not run, jump or have fun with Stella. But, he does tolerate it when she jumps on him...