When people hear the term socializing, they tend to think about having their dog meet and play with new people and new dogs. While making new pals and learning how to behave well in the company of others is one very important aspect of dog socialization, there is a lot more to it. As a dog owner, it is really important to understand what socializing your dog really means and how to make it happen.
What Is Dog Socialization?
In a nutshell, socializing your dog means exposing him to the world and helping him to learn how to exist comfortably as a dog alongside people and other animals — and on his or her own. Being exposed to different environments, energy levels, and weather conditions is also part of being socialized. Ideally, this process will start soon after birth and will continue throughout your dog’s life. It is, after all, never too late to try new things or to have expectations and boundaries reestablished.
Socializing your dog takes work but can be a fun process, too! Every outing is a fresh adventure and a chance for you and your dog to bond over shared experiences. Ultimately, the time you put in will be worth it because you will have a more calm, confident, and responsive dog. That’s a win for everyone.
Spend More Time Socializing Your Dog And Less Time Coping With Their Anxiety.
A dog that has not been well socialized is more likely to exhibit “bad behaviours” like barking, pulling towards or even lunging at new people or dogs. On the other hand, they could become shy and defensive. How your dog handles the stress of a new situation will depend on its temperament (and often on your reaction as his human) but in either case, the root of the dog’s behaviour is likely anxiety. Dogs get scared of new things just like people — especially when they don’t have the social skills to deal with new situations and friends.
Living With A Poorly Socialized Dog Can Affect Your Quality Of Life
Living with an anxious, reactive dog is no fun for you or anyone else and can limit what you feel you can do with your pooch. In fact, it is the stress and even guilt of living with a poorly behaved dog that brings many of my clients to me for training. A dog who isn’t well socialized may struggle:
- Going for walks or to the park
- At the vet or on a visit to the groomer
- When family or friends come over to your home
- Every time someone walks past your yard
Socializing your dog is one of the most important investments of time you can make as a dog owner. A confident dog can exist in the world with calm and patience which makes the time you spend with them so much more enjoyable.
Tips For Raising A Well-Socialized Dog
Starting to socialize your dog from a young age is important but if you are adopting an adult dog, it’s not too late. Because adult dogs come with their own history, it can be tough to break existing habits. You may need to work at a slower pace than you would with a pup but with patience and consistent effort it will pay off.
“Reward the behavior you want, correct the behavior you don’t.”
Cesar Millan
As you expose your dog to new places, people, and pups remember that the goal of socialization is to make new experiences positive and to teach your dog what is expected of them. Keep the interactions short, end things on a high note, and be liberal with treats when your dog behaves well. Here are some tips to get you started:
Expose your dog to a variety of new things but don’t overwhelm them.
Take your dog for walks, short trips in the car, and introduce them to new people and dogs slowly. Socialization isn’t a race! Take your time and make sure you look to your dog to see how they are coping. If they begin to show signs of stress, it’s time to wrap it up and try again another day.
Help your dog become comfortable meeting new people.
Let your dog meet new people but know that not everyone has to be allowed to come and pet your dog. In fact, when you are starting out, teaching your dog that they can simply be around people without asking for or receiving pets and praise can be helpful.
Help your dog become comfortable meeting new dogs.
Once your dog is a few months old (or, if you have adopted an adult, wait until you have had them in your home for a few months) you can start to consider introducing them to new pooch pals. It is always best if you know the other dog and person – communication is key! Start by meeting one dog at a time in a spacious outdoor (fenced) setting if possible. Let the pups greet one another on their own time — don’t rush things. Ideally, these meetings will happen off-leash so that any dog who feels uncomfortable can get away as needed.
A lot of well-intentioned dog owners rush into introductions or force the issue. This can lead to reactivity and bigger problems down the line. Take it slow and know that not every dog wants to make friends.
Make sure you can control the environment.
While you and your dog are learning how to be confident in new situations, it is safest for you, your dog and anyone else if you are in a controlled and comfortable location. If your dog is really unsure about how to interact with others dogs, taking her to the dog park to run with the big boys on your first time out is unlikely to go well and could even go very, very badly. Your backyard, a well-known local park or a favourite walking trail where you are familiar with the landscape and how to exit if needed is a better bet. Work your way to larger, public spaces slowly.
A Well-Socialized Dog Is A Happy Dog.
Dogs are happiest when they know what to expect (and what is expected of them) and that is what socialization teaches them. Order, leadership and boundaries are all things dogs respond to innately. That is why socialization is so important for your pooch. It gives them the chance to get the lay of the land.
Being exposed to new situations, places, people and animals in a supported and intentional way builds up your dog’s confidence and reduces the chances of them feeling stressed or anxious. Remember that they are living in a human world where their natural instincts are not always going to lead them in the right direction. People have expectations for how dogs should behave in certain situations and dogs learn by observing and doing. Therefore, it is your responsibility as a dog owner to expose your dog to as much as possible so that, over time, they learn what the rules are and be able to enjoy a full and happy life.
Less Stress. More Fun!
When your dog feels confident and can adapt to new situations with ease, you will both have a much better quality of life. Socializing a dog gives them the ability to exist in their environment without having to interact with everything and everyone. They will learn how to observe before acting (or reacting) and as a result will be more approachable, more portable and generally happier.
It’s Never Too Late To Socialize Your Dog
Whether you have a new puppy or are adopting an adult dog, part of being a responsible dog-owner is teaching them how to approach new situations, people and pups with confidence and calm. The more your dog is socialized, the less stress they will feel about heading out with you on an adventure! This is a big win for you as their owner, too because a calm and confident dog is better behaved easier to take with you. Start young, go slow and be consistent and you will have a happy, well-socialized pooch for life!