SNITKER GOLDENS
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The Imprint™ - Socializing Your Puppy

A Snitker Goldens Specialized Imprinting and Puppy Enrichment Program
What if puppies who were socialized could go from a failing grade of 9% to a passing one of 90%? 

That's exactly what Clarence Pfaffenberger, trainer and educator with Guide Dogs of the Blind, describes. In 1958 and 1959, socialization so radically changed their approach that not only did 9 out of every 10 dogs graduate to become guide dogs, but Guide Dogs of the Blind had made their standards more rigorous than previous years. (6)
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The Socialization Period
Starting in 1945, J. P. Scott and John Fuller started a 20 year study and were among the pioneers of research that changed our understanding of puppy development forever. We now know that the first four months are the most critical in a puppy's life and more specifically, the 7-12 week period. "The younger the animal the greater the effect." (118)

The socialization period, approx. 7-12 weeks of age, they discovered, is a small window of time within an already small window time being 0-16 weeks of age. A puppy learns and develops so rapidly, that if one missed the opportunity, you could never make up to your dog what had been lost and to Pfaffenberger, it was like letting gold slip through your fingers. (40)

​Drs Scott and Fuller also discovered something else - these principles could be applied across the board with any dog breed and thus, could be replicated with consistency! (Scott & Fuller)
Snitker Goldens English Cream Golden Retriever, Socialized Adult
"...starting a puppy in positive training at a very early age is the best way to mold him into the kind of dog that you want him to be." (Pfaffenberger 40)

What Makes Us Different?

Snitker Goldens, English Cream Golden Retriever, Fur Face Pet Photography, Trained Golden Retriever
Socialization is more than just randomly adding toys to a playpen, introducing your puppy to everyone in the neighborhood, or playing a sound CD. Experiences are the catalyst for learning and how behavior modifies and changes. Learning is what allows our dogs to adjust and respond to the environment around them. (Bond)

However, too much is just as dangerous as too little; the risk being unskilled handling and not understanding each puppy's threshold. Sensitivity is also at its peak, so negative or traumatic experiences can be 
psychologically damaging and permanent. (Scott & Fuller)

​A good handler knows how these experiences impact your puppy, why they are critical during one week instead of another, and how to adjust experiences to fit each individual puppy based on their own rate of development. We don't believe learning ends for the Golden or the handler, so we continue to study how socialization impacts our own puppies and follow the latest studies and information available, all while integrating this acquired learning with the unique temperament and genetics of our own breeding Golden Retrievers. ​

​​You cannot have an excellent imprinting program without actually putting in the effort. If a puppy is not learning from you - they are learning from something or someone else and what they are learning will either help or hinder your ability to train effectively. No matter how exceptional the parents are or how great the genetics, your puppy will never reach their potential unless you give them the opportunity to do so! (Pfaffenberger) 

Here at Snitker Goldens, our approach is based upon the human-canine relationship.  National and world-accredited trainer/author/speaker, Suzanne Clothier, trademarked this approach to creating a heartfelt connection between you and your dog.  Known as the "trainer's trainer", Suzanne's Early Puppy Protocol (EPP) methods are sought after to produce a "connected, confident, coordinated, and capable" puppy.  (Clothier)
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REFERENCES
  • Pfaffenberger, C. (1963) The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior. Wenatchee, Washington: Dogwise Pulblishing.
  • Scott, J. P. and Fuller, J. L. (1965) Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press. 
  • Bond, Christina. (2008). Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior Vol. 2, No. 1. Retrieved from http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorprofessionals.com/vol2no1bond.pdf














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Why Snitker Goldens

Snitker Golden Retriever Puppies
We begin with quality tested and approved breeding Golden Retrievers and build on that solid foundation with our puppies. Championship pedigrees in their lines are our way of remaining true to breed standard. We strive to personally imprint each pup with positive, rewarding experiences – to nurture each one with love and care, realizing that each day we have your puppy is one day closer to the day you will hold him or her. We use this time to make that permanent impression on your pup, one which he or she will carry for a lifetime. 

Learn more about Snitker Goldens.

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How to Connect With Snitker Goldens

We are committed to our Golden Retrievers and pairing them with great families. 
Contact us at any time to learn more about who we are and to meet our Golden Retrievers. You can connect with us on Facebook and YouTube.
Snitker Goldens
276 Picnic Woods Drive
Waukon, Iowa 52172 UNITED STATES
​563-568-8977

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About the Program
    • Meet Our Humans
  • Our Goldens
  • Our Puppies
  • The Imprint
  • Gold Select
  • Contact
  • More
    • Referrals
    • Trusted Products
    • FAQ