Can’t We All Just Get Along?: Why Dogs Need Socialization
As the unofficial start to summer commenced this past weekend with Memorial Day, dogs and pet owners everywhere are giving a big “Pup Yeah!” to spending more time outside in the nicer weather with each other. While the pandemic may have left us a little rusty with our socialization skills, we need to be aware of the effect it may have had on our canine companions as we emerge from our home shell and venture out into public places again. Socialization plays a huge role in your furry friend's behavior and take on the world around them, allowing them the chance to form dog relationships just like we make human ones. While the act of socializing should start young, there is always room to help your pup brush up on their socializing skills now that the world is going public!
But first, what does it mean to socialize your pup?
Put simply, it is exposing your dog to as many new environments, animals, people, places and events as possible without overdoing it for them. This doesn’t happen in one day; it takes some time to expose your pup to different experiences and situations. Overwhelming your dog with a bunch of new experiences all at once can result in fearful or withdrawn behavior, so knowing when to call it quits is key to helping socialize your dog. Socializing includes encouraging your pup to safely explore the world, new games and toys and car rides in a safe, controlled environment while you supervise.
Do all dogs need to be socialized?
While we can’t make the decision for every dog owner to socialize their dog, we do want to note that socialization is a very important part in a dog’s young life and as they get older. The Central Bark Blog said it best when it comes to the importance of socialization: “Constant socialization with other dogs as they grow up is necessary to reinforce their learning about the language of dogs; how to listen, how to interpret another dog’s mood and how to control their actions.”
So what if my dog doesn’t socialize or is under-socialized?
If you keep your pup away from everything the world has to offer, you may see some negative effects start to happen, such as fearfulness, anxiety and separation anxiety. Not letting your dog explore the world under your watchful eye can make them become weary about everything and uncertain about other people other than yourself. Your pup may also become a very reactive pet that may turn to attack mode depending on the situation that they find themselves in. This aggression could be due to them being scared of their environment as well as possibly under-socialized, therefore not equipped with the right tools to handle the situation that seems stressful to them. Instead of running away, your dog may react defensively in reaction to whatever is scaring them. While these behaviors may seem like they define your dog’s personality, they don’t; it’s more a testament to them not being properly socialized so they have the skills to assess the situation and react in a more positive behavior.
Let’s check out 5 benefits socializing your dog has for you and your pup:
It reduces fear and anxiety in your dog. As a puppy, the world is brand new to them and everything that comes along with it and as they get older, new experiences and environments can become frightening if they haven’t been socialized as a pup. Exposing your dog to other people, places and things while teaching them how to socialize appropriately can help them respond positively to situations and enjoy the world.
It will reduce aggression in your pup. Some breeds are less aggressive than others, which makes socializing the key to determining how your pup will interact with other dogs. Socializing your dog at a young age can help create positive relationships with other dogs, helping them to accept the unfamiliar without having to react negatively.
It can help with veterinary and grooming visits. Taking your dog to be groomed and to get yearly exams is essential to their health and happiness, which means they are going to have to be touched by someone other than you. Anxious dogs can make for a messy and dangerous mix when it comes to being groomed or being checked by a vet because you’re not sure what behavior you’re going to get. Will they bite? Shake uncontrollably? Try to run away and refuse the groomer or vet altogether? Dogs that are used to being in new places with new people won’t be as anxious and unpredictable as those who do not get to experience new things.
It can help decrease the risk of your pup running away. Remember one of the negative effects of not socializing your pup was reactivity? Anxious and non-socialized dogs can pose a higher risk of running away (especially from home) when faced with a stressful situation. If a skittish dog encounters something they’re not used to, their instinct can be to escape, even if that means escaping the comforts of home. Having them accustomed to their surroundings as well as new surroundings can help improve their risk of running away and possibly even exploring the new situation with you to turn the experience into a positive one!
It means traveling can be a whole lot easier for you as a pet owner. Having your furry companion well-socialized will help with car rides, new environments while in and out of the car and managing them on the inside of the car. Taking them on plenty of car rides, whether it’s a quick trip around the neighborhood or a long drive, will make traveling with your canine less stressful and more enjoyable.
While socializing should start when they are a puppy, it is never too late to join the socializing game. You may need to have a little more patience and creativity when it comes to older dogs, but we have some ways to help with socializing your canine whether they are a puppy or have reached their prime.
Daily Walks!
This simple task of walking your dog around the neighborhood or at parks can help them adjust to different sights, sounds and smells, making the world less scary and hopefully more enjoyable. Start by keeping your pup on a short leash and take different routes when you walk for a chance to meet new friends and have new experiences.
Variety is Key!
Make sure you are exposing your dog to EVERYONE! Men, women, children, babies, small dogs, large dogs, etc. This will help your canine get more acclimated with all kinds of people besides yourself. If your pup only interacts with one or two people, they can become wary of others they meet and have a defensive reaction. So make time for meet and greets, even if they are short and sweet, and remember to make all experiences a positive and enjoyable one. You may find yourself starting small in the beginning with meeting others, which is completely fine! Remember, you don’t want to overwhelm your pup with new things all at once. Take it slow and steady and work your way up to longer greetings with friends if need be.
Dog Classes!
Going to school helped you as a human, why not try some school for your pup?! Taking your dog to classes is a great way to meet new people and dogs in a safe, controlled environment.
Tasty Treat Anyone?
Stock up on some of your canine's favorite treats and have them on hand whenever you go for a stroll or find yourself roaming through a public place. If your dog has a positive interaction with another person or dog, give out a treat with some praise right away to let them know what a great job they did. Since dogs will do almost anything for a tasty treat, use this to your advantage when it comes to teaching socialization!
Did Someone Say Shopping Trip?
If you find yourself running low on dog food or need a new leash, grab your doggo and hit the store together! This is a great time to work on those interactions with others (humans and dogs), have your pup experience a car ride AND explore a store that is meant just for dogs. You can keep the trip as simple as you want and add on any stops or extra amounts of time inside the store as you see fit. Remember to bring some treats along to reward those positive interactions!
As we all begin to work out the kinks in our socializing skills from the pandemic, let’s remember to rub some of those skills off on our canine friends (since they’ve had to endure some separation from friends as well). Socializing for dogs is such an important part of their lives that we as pet owners need to remember our patience and deep breaths when it comes to helping them navigate those new and uncharted experiences. Remember to keep those treats and praise handy and to always practice KIP: Keeping It Positive!
If you’re looking for another way to help socialize your pup, think about having a daily dog walker to help them meet new people! We at Going Mutts Pet Services, LLC would love to help your dog get their daily dose of exercise while taking them to the dog park or for a lap around the neighborhood. We also provide pet sitting services whenever Fido cannot come with you on vacation or a quick getaway - another great way to help your pup socialize with more people! So contact us today for a free Meet ‘n Greet to customize your services with us.
