Good Breeder Center

Savvy Socialization

Good Breeders get free and exclusive access to our course, Savvy Socialization - New Thinking on Making Great Puppies into Great Dogs, presented by Dr. Gayle Watkins, PhD, outstanding breeder of Golden Retrievers. This course covers current science and approaches to optimize socialization practices to produce behaviorally and emotionally sound dogs.

An Introduction to Savvy Socialization

Dr. Watkins explains how we should think about and define socialization, problems with recommended guidance related to socialization today and how to improve it. She shares the latest research on socialization through all stages of puppyhood from parental selection through adulthood, identifies key relationships and shares foundational insights for reducing negative mechanisms, building trust and developing your puppy’s strengths.

Lesson 1: Savvy Socialization for Breeders: Part 1

In Part 1 of Savvy Socialization for Breeders, Dr. Watkins focuses on the period before breeding up to 3 weeks of age.

Lesson 2: Savvy Socialization for Breeders: Part 2

In this Part 2 of Savvy Socialization for Breeders, Dr. Watkins focuses on the sensitive period from 3-16 weeks of age. Learn more about things you can do to support your puppy as they begin to experience the world.

Lesson 3: Savvy Socialization for Owners: Part 1

In Part 1 of Savvy Socialization for Owners, Dr. Watkins introduces what owners can do to turn great puppies into great dogs.

Lesson 4: Savvy Socialization for Owners: Part 2

In Part 2 of Savvy Socialization for owners, Dr. Watkins explains how you can read your pup's emotions to ensure they are having positive experiences. She also dives into teaching socialization, developmental experiences, and manners for your puppy.

Lesson 5: Savvy Socialization for Owners: Part 3

In Part 3 of Savvy Socialization for Owners, Dr. Watkins goes over how to set up your socialization plan, and what you should focus on.

Lesson 6: Savvy Socialization for Owners: Part 4

In Part 4 of Savvy Socialization for Owners, Dr. Watkins addresses the development need of juvenile and adolescent dogs.

Savvy Socialization Quiz & Certificate of Completion

Resources:

Join the Good Breeder Group

Join other Good Breeders participating in the Savvy Socialization course in conversations, get answers to all your socialization questions, and hear advice from the experts! Join the private Good Breeder Facebook Group

Books

Scott and Fuller, 1965. Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/G/bo42153960.html

The Domestic Dog: It's evolution, behavior, and interactions with people. 2nd ed. 2017. Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK. Serpell, ed. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/domestic-dog/B5135F9F1F81930CD5526E913AF593EA

Ha and Campion. Dog Behavior; Modern science and our canine companions. 2019. Academic Press. San Diego, CA, US. https://www.elsevier.com/books/dog-behavior/ha/978-0-12-816498-3

Articles

DInwoodie, I.R., Dwyer, B., Zottola, V., Gleason, D., and Dodman, N.H. 2019. Demographics and comorbidity and behavior problems in dogs. J of Vet Behav. 32:62-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2019.04.007

Scott, J.P. 1964 Genetics and the Development of Social Behavior in Dogs. Am. Zoologist. 4:161-168.

Wormald, D., Lawrence, A.J., Carter, G., and Fisher, A.D. 2016. Analysis of correlations between early social exposure and reported aggression in the dog. J of Vet Behav. 15:31-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.08.071

Other

The link to the lab that does CAVIDS Titer and Nomograph Testing: University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/