​SOCIALIZATION

​What do we mean by socialization? Simply put, it's the process whereby dogs learn to relate and react positively to strange people, pets and situations through positive experience. It is the single most important gift you can give to any dog. It's the most important building block required to raise and train a happy, confident Swissy. The GSMD, even more than many other breeds, requires diligent and constant socialization throughout the first two years of its life. As an all purpose farm dog, the Swissy was bred to be vigilent and wary...it's in their DNA.  It's not unusual for Swissies to bark at anything that is new to them, or out of THEIR ordinary...and that can be anything from a garbage can that wasn't there the day before, to unfamiliar people, to people on skateboards and bicycles, and just about anything with which they aren't accustomed. 

Socialization begins in the whelping box, from the time the puppies' eyes and ears are open. As a breeder, I am constantly exposing my puppies to new and different situations, people and noises, traveling with them in the car and taking them places as young as 4 weeks of age. I put them on new and unusual surfaces, give them obstacles to overcome and generally rock their world as much as possible while they are in my care. However, because all dogs experience fear imprint or "impact" periods through the first two years of their lives, it is incumbent upon every owner to continue socializing their Swissy well into adulthood.

We always want socialization to be about GOOD experiences. Therefore, you must be in tune to your dog and prepared to turn a fear response into a positive experience...without reinforcing the fearful reaction. For example, if your puppy responds fearfully to a large man in a uniform, don't offer a comforting "It's okay" unless you think it's okay for your puppy to have a meltdown every time he sees a policeman!  Instead, ignore your puppy's reaction and calmly approach the uniformed man as if he's an old friend, to let your puppy see it's the person who is okay...not his response to the person.  Ask the person if he'll feed your puppy a treat. If the puppy relaxes and accepts the treat, you've won that one. But don't push. Accept the victory and walk on. It's through repeat exposure that he will learn to read your cues...if you're good with it, he should be too. Finally, don't go anywhere without treats! Swissies are very food motivated, and treating your puppy every time he has a positive, appropriate response to a new experience will go a long way to cementing those behaviors.

Despite your best efforts, be prepared for your Swissy to Barroooo (a loud, deep and prolonged bark that almost sounds like part "howl") any time they want to let you know that something is afoot. Even some of my most "bomb proof" Swissies will rattle the windows when the delivery truck rolls down the driveway or a deer wanders onto the property.  

WHO'S IN CHARGE? 

​Swissies are NOT easy.  The breed standards describes them as bold, vigilant, large and powerful dogs. To that I would add willful, often energetic and boisterous.  For the first two years they will go through many periods of "testing" your leadership as well as your patience.  They definitely require strong and in-charge leader who will be dedicated to socializing them and completing several levels of basic obedience with them.  NOTE:  Sending your Swissy off to a trainer is not advised nor effective as it establishes a stranger as your dog's leader/alpha but does nothing to reinforce YOUR leadership position in the home.  

Establishing leadership comes much easier through the "Nothing In Life is Free" (NILF) approach to raising and training your Swissy.  You can read more about it here, but in a nutshell it's all about making your Swissy earn privileges...whether it's playing, eating, or merely walking through a door.  This reward-based approach to training keeps your Swissy focused on you as the provider of all things that are good and enjoyable, while at the same time making them work for your attention. We often say that Swissies need a job, and that a tired Swissy is a more trainable Swissy.  While carting or pack-hikes, or rally and obedience all come to mind first, ANYTHING that you can teach your dog -- even if it's just to do party tricks or to wait five minutes in a down stay before attacking their dinner -- all constitutes "a job" in the mind of a Swissy.

I have found that the best training methods for a Swissy incorporate a mix of positive reinforcement/reward, AND some correction when necessary.  While you want your Swissy to be open and receptive to training and learning good behaviors, they do need to understand what behaviors are not acceptable and when they've crossed a line.  That said, a steady regimen of harsh corrections is never effective with a Swissy, and will likely just escalate the battle to a war you can't win.  You want a dog that WANTS to please you.  Consistency is key and mixed messages will get you in trouble; if you don't want your dog to take over your couch or your bed, then no matter how tempting it is to cuddle with that 10 week old puppy on the sofa, DON'T DO IT!  

While well-trained and socialized Swissies are usually not destructive adults, as puppies they will chew sticks, rocks, and anything they can put in their mouths (that goes for your hands and ankles too!)  They have a natural prey drive, and can be very mouthy and "grabby" as puppies...so if you can't stomach the thought of them biting/tearing your favorite pair of pants, put the pants in moth balls for a year.  

As adults, Swissies can be very well-mannered members of your family...but they don't get there without a lot of hard work on your part.