Most people enjoy taking their dogs for walks, to the park, and on other adventures. After all, canines are considered ‘man’s best friend,’ so it is natural to share companionship. However, socializing dogs is imperative to make them good canine citizens that you can easily take in public.
Socializing Dogs to New Places and Situations
Dogs who have not undergone proper socialization are fearful of going to unfamiliar places or facing new situations. They are unprepared for change. Even meeting new people can prove traumatic.
Taking your dog to new places, such as a doggie daycare or dog park, can help alleviate anxiety and get your puppy ready for real-life experiences. The socialization phase is critical when our dog is a puppy and more accepting of the change.
Creating a Healthy Mental Balance
In the wild, a dog lives in a pack. They readily socialize with other canines within their group by interacting, playing, and exercising. Alongside the pack, the dog learns about the world and new situations. When you raise a dog as a companion animal, you become their pack - their whole world. You’re in charge of ensuring that your dog gets the social stimulation the animal needs to live a healthy and happy life that is not filled with anxiety.
Exposing Fido to new encounters and showing the canine that strange things are fun will help with socialization.
Fostering Confidence in Your Dog
Socializing your pup develops good behaviors. Your dog’s confidence builds with each new experience. If you couple every outing with ample praise and positive reinforcement, then the entire experience becomes enjoyable for your pet. New interactions become adventures and something for your dog to look forward to. You are probably familiar with dogs who become excited and exuberant any time their owner says, “do you want to go bye-bye?” You want your dog to dance around and wag his tail at the thought of a new experience. On the day that your dog acts in such a way, you know that you have done a proper job socializing the animal.
A Socialized Dog is Less Stress on You
If you plan on vacationing with your dog, taking the animal with you to a party, or any activity, then you know the importance of having a well-behaved and obedient pup at your side. You’ll feel less nervous and anxious, so you can better enjoy yourself. Also, if you are at ease with the situation, then your dog will also start to relax. You will both have confidence.
Tips on Socializing Dogs
Here are just a few ideas on how you can socialize your dog to create a valuable companion.
- Enroll Fido in dog obedience.
- Take your dog for a daily walk to new parks or other areas.
- Go shopping with your dog to pet-friendly stores.
- Take your dog to dog-friendly restaurants.
- Have a puppy play date with all of your friends and their dogs.
The importance of socializing dogs cannot be overlooked. If you want a faithful companion, your dog will need to feel at ease and happy in many situations.
7 comments
We had 3 boxers all from the same litter, we have added 2 bull mastiffs. The boxers are 4 years old and the mastiffs are 19 months. The boxers were adults when we added dogs and the mastiffs were puppies. Is that situation considered socialization or making a pack. Should we take our pack to the doggy park or doggy daycare for further socialization? January of 2021, we drove from Florida to Colorado for a vacation with all 5 dogs, they actually had a good time seeing snow for the first time, but were aggressive every time they saw a strange dog. Would love to get some thoughts!
I have the reverse problem. My dog loves everyone she sees and wants to “hug” everyone. I hate to take her out in public.
I have the reverse problem. My dog loves everyone and wants to socialize with everyone she sees. I hate to take her out because she tries to “hug” every one.
Thank you for this email. I can not express how important social training is for a puppy. I would love to see an email about older dogs and puppy interactions. I had a puppy that was supposed to be service dog. What happened to her was a huge problem/issue. This story ends with my 1 year old German Shepard Dakota and Fred a beagle my oldest dog. He is 15. Dakota had Fred by the neck and was dragging him outside to kill him so she could be top dog. Also when we did get them apart Fred had bitten me in the face and Dakota crushed my boyfriend’s finger. Long story short, we took Dakota to the vet that also worked on Fred the day before. Fred had came home with 24 inside sutures and 30 staples. She saw the damage Fred had so we took Dakota to her. The vet recommended we have Dakota put to sleep. We did. Looking back now she was always top dog she couldn’t help herself. Also be wary of where the puppy comes from. The girl I got her from didn’t know how to raise the puppies. I belive the mom had 6 puppies. 2 froze to death, 2 died of starvation. The day I picked her up she was eating bark. Nothing else. Dakotas mom was trying to wean the 4 puppies and the girl informed me that the puppies wouldn’t eat regular food. She had no Idea how to handle that phase of puppyhood. THEN she told me the daddy was half German Shepard and half wolf. So I think Dakota had the had all the odds stacked against her. So be careful and verify verify verify.
Thanks for listening. I completely agree with socializing and was wondering if older dogs and puppies are a good mix and the best way to do that if it can be done.
I have a cane courses bull mastiff female that I can take them on a walk easy with other people great to get along with.ps Also I can take her on a walk without using a leash.