If dogs aren't properly socialized at key points during their development, they could become maladjusted, meaning fearful, aggressive, and prone to bad behaviors. Here's everything you need to know about dog maladjustment.
Dog Maladjustment: Lack of Socialization
According to many experts, there are two important periods of socialization for puppies: between three and twelve weeks, and then again around four to seven months (and sometimes older). During these times, the puppy is very susceptible to learning. Positive experiences with people, strange places and other dogs can have a lasting effect. If a puppy doesn't receive proper socialization, she may suffer from dog maladjustment and become fearful, nervous, and even aggressive.
Primary socialization, or the first stage, is usually a part of the breeder's duties. Responsible breeders won't sell a puppy that's younger than eight weeks or so, and socialization should already have begun for this dog. As the owner of a new puppy, you should continue to expose the pooch to a variety of people (including children) and new surroundings so she realizes that strangeness or the unknown is not to be feared. These things will all help to prevent dog maladjustment.
The second stage of socialization is just as important, and you should work to teach your dog new obedience commands and open him up to new experiences during this phase as well.
Why Do Dogs Need Socialization?
Dogs have a lot of behaviors that were bred into them through history, but their basic instincts remain with their primitive wolf ancestors. In the wild, animals must quickly learn what is dangerous and what is safe, so wolf pups have only a few weeks to learn how to interact and recognize other members of the pack. After that crucial period, anything new or unknown is instinctually considered dangerous, and will incite the pup to attack it or run from it.
Even though dogs don't live in the wild, they have these same instincts. Having positive experiences with a wide variety of people, other dogs, and even other animals is very important to teach your dog that its world is not made up of predators alone.
What to Do if Your Dog is Maladjusted
If you've missed the crucial socialization periods of your dog's life, 
he may have some disagreeable behaviors ranging from fear, nervousness, excessive barking, lack of urination control, and outright aggression. Here are a few ways to combat the symptoms of dog malajustment:
- Consult your veterinarian about the undesirable behaviors. He or she may refer you to a trained professional who is experienced in handling problem dogs.
- In some cases, medication may be the answer. Drugs used for fearful dogs include Prozac and Inderal. Do not administer any medication without your veterinarian's consent.
- If the dog malajustment is out of hand, consult a professional trainer for help.
