Being social VS. Socialization
What is dog socialization?
If you think that going to a dog park and releasing your dog is 1) enough to exercise your dog, and 2) the appropriate thing to do, we encourage you to think again. To use a human analogy, that is like setting a 3 year old down in a mosh pit and expecting a good result. Not only is your child probably going to be very scared and uncomfortable, but there is also a good likelihood that they could get hurt, due to your lack of direction and support.
Proper Socialization is:
Always properly supervised by the owners
Conducted in a way that keeps dogs within their threshold
NOT saying hello to every dog you meet
Neutrality to the environment
We are not saying to never let your dog be social around other dogs. In fact, being social is ALSO incredibly important and healthy for your dog/puppy. However, there are several things to consider before letting your puppy be social.
Remember! You don’t like every person you have ever met, and neither does your dog, but they DO have to be polite. While dog to dog interaction is healthy, never push your dog into a social situation they do not want to be in. It is your job to advocate for your dog EVERY TIME.
It is always best to make sure you know the owners of the other dogs have control over their dogs. Make sure your dog is familiar with the area, and other dogs they are going to be playing with by introducing slowly and at a distance. Allow your dog to sniff around and explore the area. It is also crucial for you to remain alert and close to your dog during social interactions, so that you will be right there to advocate for your dog.
Signs of a poorly socialized dog
Most people know they want a well- rounded, happy, and socially polite dog. This is a dog that is completely content and well- behaved around other adults, children, and animals. This dog is visibly calm, with a gentle tail wag, and a polite demeanor. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is by ensuring that your dog has plenty of healthy exposure to many different social situations. The earlier you can start this exposure and teach them how to properly behave in the world, the better your results will be.
Can dogs be socialized at any age
Absolutely! Any dog can be socialized, regardless of age, size, or breed! Sometimes it may take a little longer for an older dog because they have had more time to rehearse bad habits that need undoing. Don’t let that discourage you! All it takes is some consistency and patience. If you feel like traditional methods have failed you, it may be time to find an experienced trainer to help you.
What happens if a dog isn't socialized
You may not think much of it, but if your dog does not get socialized properly, there will come a time in their life where they will encounter something unfamiliar, and their reaction will be significantly different from that of a properly socialized dog.
Dogs with little to no experience socializing around unfamiliar objects become nervous and anxious, because they have not learned to cope with new experiences in a healthy way. This does not mean all hope is lost for your dog! It may simply take some more time, and you may want to reach out to a behavior modification specialist, depending on the severity of nervousness/anxiety your dog is experiencing.
Where to socialize your dog
allowing your dog to observe other dogs and owners, calmly, and from an appropriate distance. Appropriate distance can be anything as close as a few feet, to yards and yards away. The goal here is to find a distance where your dog can remain calm, attentive, and still be able to obey direction.
Once you are in this golden zone, it is great to do basic obedience work, as well as simply learning to relax and be calm in other stimulating environments. No matter where you are at in your training, be sure not to go beyond your dog’s threshold.
Remember! We want to set our dogs up for success more than anything, so pay attention for signs that your dog is going beyond the threshold. We always suggest finding a good trainer that fits your needs to go on pack walks and socialize your dog to places, people and dogs that have similar training and control for the safest experience.
Puppy & Dog socialization classes
If your puppy or dog is not properly socialized, it could cause multiple problems for them later down the line. Although you can choose to socialize your dog on your own, you may want to choose a trainer who has years of experience, and access to other stable dogs. If you decide to go to a training professional for a class, here are some positive things to look out for:
Trainers that are sure to keep all of the dogs within their thresholds
Trainers that advocate for each dog’s space
Trainers that can properly identify a dog’s behavioral cues and predict a dog’s next move during training or intense moments
These are the signs of a trainer that may not have your puppy’s best interest at heart:
Trainers that push dogs to do new skills too quickly
Trainers that do not address the owner’s concerns
FAQ
Can I socialize my young puppy before their vaccinations are done?
We do not recommend socializing your puppy to other dogs or puppies that have not been vaccinated or that may have come into contact with diseases like Parvo and DIstemper. However, if you have adult dogs that have been vaccinated and cleaned to ensure no disease is transmitted, we encourage healthy interactions. Let the puppy decide to approach the adult, and ensure that the adult is friendly and ON LEASH.
Aside from this, we absolutely recommend taking your puppy to as many places as possible to see different people, places and things. Just be sure to not let your puppy on grassy areas where other dogs go to the bathroom, or share water bowls with strange dogs.
What should I socialize my puppy or dog to?
The list of items, people, places and things you can socialize your puppy to is huge. We have made a general list that can help you gain inspiration for socialization near you. Check out our list here.
What circumstances should I be looking for to socialize my dog?
Safety is our #1 rule. We want our puppies and dogs to have safe, positive experiences. Neutral experiences also count as positive interactions! If you do not think you can control the external circumstances enough to keep your dog or puppy safe, and you have not been building up to more challenging situations, we do not recommend socializing there.
