Canine Behavior Training
Should fearful/weak nerved dogs be taught that mixing with other canines is the norm?
A dogs behavior occurs due to a combination of both genetics & environment. The dogs basic temperament cannot be changed because that is genetic & each dog will have a tendency towards behavioral strengths & weaknesses. However, the behavior can be controlled & shaped through training & the environment controlled.
If a dogs temperament has a tendency towards being weak nerved/fearful, should it learn to mix outside its pack with dogs, which is not instinctive canine behavior, or be taught to focus on its owner from an early age & ignore distractions like others dogs?
Puppy socialization classes teach a puppy that it should go forward & mix with other canines when it is out exercising. If a weak nerved/fearful dog has a negative experience mixing with other dogs, it may then exhibit defensive aggression [as one of my Dobermann did].
Teaching dogs to mingle is impossible. You can condition them to grow to even enjoy strange dogs and to allow their presence but you can’t make my new favorite color be yellow no matter how hard you try, savvy? Always train for focus. It’s not important that your dog make friends, it’s a dog, not a kindergartener. It is however important that your dog be trustworthy and stable in public and that’s easily taught…and more importantly reliable…unlike conditioning a dog to “like” strange dogs.
Dog Training Video – Explanation Of The Canine Good Citizen