We have all heard the term “socializing your dog”. But what exactly does that mean? Socializing your dog is when you introduce different environments, animals, people, and events to your puppy with the expectation he will enjoy and have positive interactions with his surroundings. Socialized dogs are typically more approachable, fun-loving, and able to handle stress. Dogs that have not been socialized tend to be anxious, shy, or at times even overly excited because they are simply scared.
Puppies go through a critical socialization period between 8-16 weeks of age that impacts their behavior for the rest of their lives. Bringing your pup to play with us for dog daycare at Best Friends Fur Ever helps during this critical time by providing human and canine socialization in addition to activities that help to stimulate their growing brains. The experiences puppies encounter between 8-16 weeks of age become normal and accepted to the puppy, which is why Best Friends Fur Ever takes pups of all ages with age-appropriate shots. Doggie daycare helps puppies develop the social skills to deal with other people, other animals, and new situations.
Typically, puppies like to interact with large groups of dogs and do well in daycare. However, adult dogs that haven’t been exposed to other dogs from a young age can get anxious in group situations. Socializing an older dog is a slow and steady process but can be accomplished if you work at a pace your dog can handle without overwhelming him.
Start small and stay simple. Start with an introduction to 1 new person on neutral territory. Let your dog take the lead exploring this person and letting your dog make the contact. Your dog’s relaxed body language will indicate subtle signs if he approves of the person and will allow petting under the neck area where the dog can visibly see the hand. Soft voices and praise along with treats will reward this good behavior letting your dog know this is an approved reaction.
Let your dog decide if he wants to move closer to a new person or explore a new object or animal. Starting from far away, stand next to your dog and watch their body language. Are they stepping forward, standing still, or moving away in a nervous fashion? Follow his lead and comfort level. The ideal reaction you want to see will be your dog moving toward the new experience slowly, in a weaved pattern as to get views from all angles. A reaction that is a warning sign could include your dog being overly excited pulling you directly toward something new without time for him to mentally process what he is approaching. If your dog seems agitated, move them away, let them observe, and feed treats from farther away for a bit while you reward him with treats.
Stick to just one new thing at a time to reduce stress. You need to stay calm and relaxed because your dog will imitate and pick up on your level of tension. If you can’t calm down or are anxious, this is not the time to expect your dog to be accepting of a new situation. If your dog is showing signs of stress such as yawning, showing the whites of his eyes, licking his lips, panting more, turning his head or body away, hiding behind you, or showing signs of aggression such as growling, that means he’s uncomfortable. Create distance between you and the new thing.
It’s okay for you to let people know your dog needs his space. Being petted by strangers can be a frightening experience for some dogs. “Dog In Training” or “Do Not Pet” harnesses are available so others can read your request from a distance.
Also, note that a very small minority of dogs chose not to be social and prefer only their human in their own environment. Don’t ever force a dog to be social when they clearly do not want to be “that kind of dog”.
Your keys to successfully socializing an older dog are taking things one at a time, going at your dog’s pace and comfort level, making sure every new encounter is pleasant for your dog, and that you reward him. Be patient, be loving and build on the trust you and your dog have developed. Communicate approval, praise, and reward the social behavior you are aiming to achieve.
The benefits of socialization are not only for your dog but for you too. You will feel comfortable and confident knowing you can take your dog for a walk, let him go to a dog park or daycare, or simply sit with you at an outdoor café. Life for the both of you will have more meaning and you will create many more memories together as a family.
