Dogs must be trained to react well to strangers from an early age. This training should be reinforced continuously throughout a dog's life. Dogs that react with fear or aggression toward strangers are unsafe pets, even if they are always friendly toward family members. Training a dog to react positively to strangers begins with puppy socialization and should continue with regular visits to public places where interaction with strangers will occur.
Puppy Socialization
The goal of puppy socialization is to expose puppies to as many new experiences as possible at a young age. Puppies that are well-socialized will remain bold and curious for life. Puppies that miss out on socialization are usually shy and skittish as adults.
During your puppy's socialization period, expose her to strangers as frequently as possible. Try the scavenger hunt method: Make a list of types of people your dog has never met, and go on a walk in a busy public area trying to introduce her to these types of people. This should include people of a different race than the owner, people who use wheelchairs, people using crutches, children of various ages, teenagers on skateboards and people wearing hats. You can make the list as long as you like. A puppy should meet strangers with every possible trait as early in life as possible.
While socializing your puppy, you'll meet many people who ask to pet her. When this happens, take advantage of the opportunity to train your puppy to greet strangers politely. Give the stranger a small treat and say, "My puppy is being trained to greet people properly. Could you tell her to sit before you pet her, please? Give her the treat when she sits. Then you're welcome to pet her!"
Most people will be happy to help you teach good manners to your dog.
Ongoing Training
One should never presume that an adult dog is fully socialized and will always react well to strangers. Even if the dog was impeccably socialized as a puppy, he won't stay that way unless he's frequently exposed to strangers and new sights, sounds and smells. Adult dogs should have at least one outing per week in a public place where they will meet strangers. Dog parks, hiking trails, coffee shop patios and street malls are great for ongoing training.
Make sure that socializing your dog with strangers doesn't mean allowing them to teach him bad habits. If he jumps on a stranger, explain that your dog is not permitted to jump up on people and ask the stranger to turn away and give him no attention until he sits. Cue the dog to sit and when he is calm, ask the stranger to resume petting him.
Canine Good Citizens
Well socialized dogs that are friendly to strangers have already learned many of the skills required to pass an AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Consider obtaining this certification for your pet if you intend for her to accompany you frequently in public places. Many establishments that are not always dog-friendly will permit dogs that carry a Canine Good Citizen certification.
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