Am i wrong the way i'm socializing

[sarahnikki]

I am literally being torn apart for the way I am socializing my filas on facebook and wanted some insight from people that might understand this better.

I have 2 fila pups that are 4 months old. They are already showing their temperment. The breeder I got them from hadn't really socialized them too much and never inside her home.

So a bit about me: I am not a new dog owner, I work with a dog trainer privately, I need my dogs to be more protective, I live in a very secluded area and have had break ins.

So about my dogs and how I am socializing.

Whenever someone has had to come in the house, I kennel them. They are already growling and trying to lunge while in my house when a stranger is here, This doesn't bother me and I kennel them to avoid them actually hurting someone.

I do take them out, but not to crowded places. Considering their temperment, I don't want to walk them in petsmart, where it could be crowded, people can run up and try to pet/hug them before I can stop it. To me, it's not worth the risk. Someone the other day while we were walking said, "you're dogs are too cute to bite."!

I take them to the vet that i use every few days, to weigh, visit with the vet techs and the vet so they are not "strangers". We usually go right before they close or as soon as they open so the waiting room isn't crowded. So far, they let the vet and a tech pet them and handle them, but shy away from everyone else.

They visit my two closest neighbors every day sometimes twice a day. They give them treats and love on them.

I don't want to put them in a situation where they won't have a successful social experience. We are slowly expanding where they go.

I also walk them every day and teach them to ignore people on the other side of the street and keep on walking. They actually love other dogs so that hasn't been an issue.

Am i wrong or is this okay? Be honest but kind and I welcome any insight

 

[angelbears]

What you are doing sounds good to me. If your pups are already showing temp. I would not be taking them to places like Petmart either. What do they say you are doing wrong?

 

[sarahnikki]

That i'm doing my dogs a disservice by not socializing them and I should get them used to strangers in my home. It's a Fila and I don't expect it to act like a lab. I don't want it to be okay with just anyone coming into my house. I told the few people I want the dogs to be okay with that they need to make it a point to come over, even if its just a quick hello and if its okay, that I would like to bring the dogs over to their house. So far its really just my parents and one friend.
I'm a single mom in a secluded area so I like that they keep me safe. I also am not a social butterfly so I could care less if people can't come over. They are great with me and my daughter and that's the most important thing to me.

Socializing a dog doesn't mean you can walk into petsmart and people can pet and cuddle it, to me it means it is familiar with normal sights and sounds and can tell when something isn't right. I feel like in that way, my dogs are socialized.

 

[cinnamon roll]

Most people do not understand what a Fila is SUPPOSED to be.

Don't pay attention to these uneducated people.

 

[angelbears]

I did my Filas the same way. However, I understand what the others are talking about. Cane does me no good when I have him locked up in the back room when a repair guy comes out. I also socialized the hell out of Cane going to the vet weekly. Vet clinics have a very high turn over rate. There were always new vet techs. Add on top that I lost faith in my vet after a couple of misdiagnoses. So, I do understand what the others are talking about. I just never got comfortable in my ability to control Cane.

Mountainfila and Fila4me are members here that have years of experience with filas. I would reach out to them if you need some help.

 

[Max's mom]

Limited experienced person speaking now...
I think it's good to get the dogs used to the neighbors or anyone who may come in to your home in a hurry (help if you've fallen and can't get up or if you or your daughter are sick). Especially, if you are in a secluded area. A neighbor may be the first person there.
I'm an ER nurse and I hear so often that the first responders couldn't get close to the patient until the neighbor came who could help with the dog.

 

[sarahnikki]

thanks guys. Good things to think about.

 

[Tubarao'smom]

So what you are doing as far as socializing in public places is correct, you do not want to go places that will allow people to get too close. Even with temperament at a young age they still look like puppies and you will find that some people are plain idiots and will still try to touch a puppy who is barking and lunging at them. I had this happen with my female when she was 5 months old and a guy thought her acting like that was hilarious and told me "oh that's funny" I told him to be careful and he reached out to touch her and she chomped in mid air at his hand, he quickly walked away after that LOL but it was a close call. These are situations I am not comfortable with because despite your warnings if someone gets bit you and your dog will be to blame.

As far as socializing in your home, I keep my kennels in the common areas of the home so my dogs are never kenneled behind closed doors. If someone comes into the house the first thing they see if filas'. At first my dogs would go crazy in their kennels but now they bark and growl for a little bit but once they see things are okay they lay down. I never let them out of their kennels when there is anyone other than my immediate family in the home, it is simply too dangerous.

 

[fila4me]

all good advice and I second their kennels in common area. mine have always been in the living area.
in regards to those telling you that you are doing it wrong have never had a Fila. probably don't know
what they are!!!

 

[DennasMom]

I think a big part of socialization is also "things".... not just people and places, but making sure you introduce new things on a regular basis for the puppies to explore and gain confidence around - like umbrellas, flapping banners, loud noises, water/pools, walking on different surfaces (rock, bark, grass, pavement, walkways that move like found on kids playground equipment, etc.), going over foot bridges (where cars are rushing beneath you), and more.

I think you seem to be doing just fine with what you're doing (but all I know about Filas I learned here on the forum).

Don't suppose you have any puppy pictures you could share??