If there is only one thing I could teach every pet parent, it is the importance of socialization. As amazing as our dogs’ instincts are, there are many things they do not inherently know. The best way to teach your dog how to interact with the world around them, is by thoroughly socializing them. The most important and beneficial things you should socialize your dog with, are also very commonly overlooked. Spend time at puppy socialization classes or set up structured doggie play dates so your dog can learn how to appropriately play with other dogs and people. Schedule fun visits to your vet and groomer, so your dog learns to love these places instead of fearing them. The most missed socialization opportunity is our dog’s specific fears; instead of avoiding what they are afraid of, I will teach you how to help them get over their fears. Think of the obstacles your dog faces as opportunities to strengthen your relationship; nothing is more rewarding than seeing your dog make progress after you have worked together.
When you bring home a new puppy or dog it is important to know that they are not perfect, even if we think they are too cute to be anything less. One of the best ways to teach your puppy manners, is to regularly bring them to puppy socialization classes led by a certified dog trainer who practices positive methods only. These classes will teach your dog how to appropriately interact with other dogs and people. If you have adopted a dog who is outside of the age range for puppy socialization classes there are still plenty of ways to socialize, but it must be done at your dog’s pace in order to keep everyone safe. Try finding a family member or friend with a balanced dog, and slowly introduce them until they are comfortable with each other. If you are having difficulty, hire a trainer to teach you how to introduce your dog to others. Remember that dogs don’t generalize, so after they are ok with one dog, slowly continue socializing them with more and more until it becomes their natural instinct to behave appropriately.
One of the easiest things to socialize your dog to love, that almost every dog hates, is visiting their vet and groomer. Most dogs look at these places in the same way a child thinks about getting a shot or going to the dentist because every time they go, they get picked up by strangers, poked by needles, and blasted by water and air. Set up days where your dog doesn’t need to go into these places to have work done, but just to socialize them with the location and people. Begin by taking your dog on a long walk, so they are happy and relaxed before entering the vet or grooming facility, and make sure you bring some of their favorite treats. Once inside, let your dog sniff around to get their bearings, then give the staff treats to offer your dog and allow them to interact and build a relationship. After a few visits like this, your dog will begin to look forward to visiting their friends at the vet and groomer. Spending the time to do this when you first get your dog, rather than after they develop a fear of these places, is greatly beneficial and will save you money and time since your dog will not need to be sedated to have work done. Not to mention how much your vet and groomer will appreciate you taking the time to make it a happy and pleasant experience for everyone involved.
Socializing your dog to overcome their specific fears is the most commonly missed opportunity because most people intentionally avoid their dog’s fears. In order for our dogs to develop into happy and well balanced members of the family, we need to help them overcome the things that cause them anxiety. Always take things slow with baby steps because a small step with success will always yield better results than a leap of faith that fails. The best way to build your dog up, is to set them up for success by stacking the deck in their favor, making sure they always end up with a positive outcome. For example, if your dog doesn’t like their crate, you wouldn’t simply force them in and lock the door behind them hoping for the best. You would slowly socialize them with the crate by associating it with positive things, like toys and treats, as well as praise and extra rewards for any movements toward or into the crate. Slowly, you ask more of the dog by luring them in with a treat and closing the crate for just a moment, the next time maybe for five seconds, ten the time after that, etc. until the dog no longer fears the crate. If you are not sure how to socialize your dog with something, seek help from a positive reinforcement trainer, if the correct methods are not used it could lead to your dog regressing even further.
The aim of this article is to empower people to face the issues their dog struggles with, rather than avoiding them. It will greatly improve the quality of life for both you and your four-legged friend, as well as anyone in the dog industry who works with your dog in the future. When you bring a new puppy home, make sure that finding a puppy socialization class led by a trainer who uses positive methods is at the top of your priority list. If the dog you brought home is outside of the age range for puppy socialization classes, try finding a family member or friend with a balanced dog who you can teach your dog how to interact with. Remember that dogs don’t generalize, so after they are good with one dog continue working with as many new dogs as you can, until it becomes their instinct to behave appropriately. Save yourself time, money, and stress by bringing your dog into the vet and groomer for socialization when they don’t need work done, this way they will look forward to going in and seeing their friends, instead of being afraid of machines and needles. Whenever you are faced with something that causes your dog anxiety, don’t run the other way, take the opportunity to help them get over their fears. Help your dog get free from the cocoon of anxiety and fear that has been suffocating them, and watch them evolve into the social butterfly they were always meant to be.
