S.T.A.R.
adoption programme

Helping your CLAWbie Learn (and earn) his/her Place (and space). 

 

Socialization to different people, social situations, dogs and other species is critical during the Puppy Stage from 3 weeks to 4 months of age - this is a formative age where puppies seem primed to bond with humans and other animals, and more succeptible to learning that people, other dogs and animals, situations and everyday environmental stimuli are safe. 

 

Sadly, dogs that have not been socialised during that critical period tend to be more fearful of unfamiliar people, other dogs, strange sounds, and new situations or environments. A well socialised pup will become a happier, more secure, self-assured and confident dog.

 

Well-socialized puppies usually develop into safer, more relaxed and compaanion animals. This is because they’re more comfortable in a wider variety of situations than poorly socialised dogs. This means they’re less likely to behave fearfully or aggressively when faced with something new. Poorly socialised dogs are much more likely to react with anxiety or even aggression to unfamiliar people, dogs and experiences. Dogs who are relaxed about hooting cars, cats, kids on skateboards or bikes, veterinary examinations, crowds and people carrying umbrellas are easier and safer to live with than dogs who find these situations threatening. Well-socialised dogs also live much more relaxed, peaceful and happy lives than dogs who are constantly stressed out by their environment.

 

Socialisation isn’t an “all or nothing” project. You can socialize a puppy a bit, a lot, or a whole lot. The wider the range of experiences you expose him/ her to, the better the chance that (s)he will become a comfortable adult in a wide variety of situations.

 

Even if your CLAWbie did not have the ideal start in life, you can still make sure that you provide POSITIVE exposure to new things and experiences... you may just need to do it more slowly, sensitively and gently (and if in doubt always get professional help). 

Adopting an older CLAWbie you'll need to have fair and realistic expectations,  and be an effective communicator and make sure (if your dog is anxious or afraid, that you only expose him.her to non-threatening social interactions, in order to maximise your CLAWbie’s potential for sociability. The SMART adopter would be the CLAWbie’s advocate and protector in situations where (s)he may feel unsafe, uncomfortable or unsure how to respond.

 

 

Fortunately, most CLAWbies are in fact highly sociable because they have had more opportunities for socialisation in puppyhood than (for example) a Puppy Mill dog.  "it takes a village to raise a child" is perhaps equally applicable to many of our township rescues. Any learning/ training was probably informal; the training methods, intuitive; and most socialisation will have been vicarious, and just happened as a part of daily life in a township community. As such many CLAWbies are perhaps even better-adjusted than dogs reared in comparative isolation (behind high walls and electric fencing in suburban privileged homes...)