Lack of early socialisation - how much of a problem?

[broccolicheesebake]

Novice owner here of two rehomed dogs, a chi and a pug cross. Previous owners didn't walk them and I suspect they had little early socialisation. This manifests itself in the chi, particularly reacting to other dogs... Up on hind legs, snarling. She is also growly with strangers to the house, though soon comes round. Rescue aren't forthcoming with help or advice. I guess I'm just wondering how much of a problem this is going to be and whether the growliness/reaction to other dogs is likely to escalate or can be managed? I have two DDs (one of whom is 3) so just want to be clear I guess on what I'm dealing with and whether I need to be concerned?

My rescue was only taken for ten minutes around the block by his previous owner. When we got him, he was a nightmare - barking at other dogs and struggling at the end of the lead.

Got in a behaviourist, stuffed him full of sausage. He is a frustrated greeter, though. Desperate to make friends. It’s been a long slog but now he’s fantastic with DM’s dog and (mostly) with other dogs.

Get in a specialist and see what they say.

Re spaying, it can be an issue for male dogs who need all the testosterone-derived confidence they can get, so being castrated causes a drop in testosterone and can make fear based problems worse. I've never heard of an equivalent issue with females, but you can of course ask the behaviourist.

Naturally, however, keep the kids away from from the dog when she's recovering from surgery. Pain, including that derived from being prodded, can make even the nicest of dog a grumpy snappy thing (pain has much the same effect on me)

@OhWot do we have the same dog?

Oh I've read it can affect both males and females... Will speak to vet about it when I take them for vaccs. I've emailed a trainer to help me with some one to one sessions, I haven't got the skills to deal with the ragey chi alone

My DDog was undersocialised as a puppy, we got her at just over a year old and while she is great now with us ( after being terrified of everything in the house for a week) she is still very anxious/ timid/ growls with others.

She has absolutely no interest in other people talking to her or patting her, it makes her anxious and she will back off if approached by anyone but us and a couple of fellow dog walkers she sees regularly, and even at that she only relaxes when it is me DH or DS, she just tolerates others touching her. It’s as if she doesn’t understand why anyone but her family would be wanting to interact with her.

She is very reactive to anyone coming to the house to deliver parcels etc and is tense and growls if a stranger comes into the house and will not relax. If someone she knows comes in she is still tense although doesn’t growl, she just wonders why they are there.

When I first started walking and socialising her I took out a lot of treats and either rewarded her for a positive (calm/ happy) interaction with other dogs and people or used them to distract her so she focussed on the treats rather than the other dog or person. I also gave the other dog walkers I bumped into her back story so that they would understand not to try and pet her. If they were willing I gave them some treats to give her so that she associated people with treats ( and now if she sees someone going into their pocket she assumes they have treats and she goes and sits politely for hers!)

I believe that you can alter they way they react to whatever bothers them but I’m not sure you can really remove the programming in their brains that a lack of socialisation puts in place. DDog is a lot better than she was, but she will never be completely normal in her reaction to people and I will always have to be aware and ready to step in if someone rushes up to touch her.