Dog Socialisation The Right Way
A very popular topic among dog and new puppy owners especially is dog socialisation.
We all strive for a happy, well socialised dog but what does this really look like?
A common misconception is the super social, over friendly dog or puppy is what we should look for - happy to greet every dog and every human, it may look like a well socialised dog to some, but those in the know understand that a well socialised dog is able to remain neutral towards stimuli.
In fact, a truly well socialised dog
Accepts handling and interaction from various individuals without fear or resistance.
Maintains focus on their owner even in distracting environments.
Shows adaptability to new situations, such as different locations, sounds, and scents.
Tolerates being in close proximity to other dogs and people without displaying signs of stress, approaching without the owners command or straining at the end of the lead
Exhibits good impulse control, waiting for cues from the owner before acting.
Communicates clearly with both dogs and humans, using appropriate body language and vocalisations.
Is confident in their environment, demonstrating curiosity rather than suspicion.
So how do we achieve a neutral, well socialised dog or puppy?
The key words here are exposure and engagement.
Positive, controlled exposure paired with consistent building of engagement between owner and dog. This means getting yourself and your dog out into new environments, around different noises, sounds smells.
Interactions with humans who follow your instruction when invited to engage with your dog and an owner who advocates for their dog too. Not only should your dog or puppy have experience interacting with other humans, you should be prioritising working on increasing your dogs' engagement with you around them too
Introduction to New Environments: Gradually exposure to various settings, such as parks, busy streets, the vet practice to help them desensitise to the different noises, smell and activity associated with these different settings.
Participate in Group Dog Training Classes: working with and training your dog in group classes with the supervision of a dog trainer who understands and encourages correct socialisation and neutrality
Meet Diverse People: Expose them to a variety of people, including men, women, children, and individuals in different clothing, such as uniforms, high vis clothing, hats or motorbike helmets
Use Positive Reinforcement: make the experiences a positive by using food to create a positive association to the new places and experiences you are introducing your dog to
Incorporate Socialisation into Daily Walks: Use your daily walks as an opportunity to promote neutrality. Counter conditioning is a great way to start changing a nervous or reactive dogs’ mindset to triggers they encounter on walks.
Encourage Exploration: Encourage them to be adventurous in a safe and controlled way. Our dogs build resilience and confidence by realising their independence in navigating the world
Monitor Body Language: Be attentive to your dogs’ signals - never push your dog into situations where they clearly feel distressed or fearful. Get to know your own dogs’ body language so you are able to differentiate between calm and uncomfortable quickly. This could be raised hackles, heavy panting, looking away, pinned ears or physically removing themself from the situation
What to avoid during during socialisation
Overcrowded Parks: High numbers of dogs can lead to overwhelming situations, increasing the likelihood of anxiety or aggression.
Interactions With Dogs You Do Not Know: Encouraging interactions with strange dogs can have the opposite effect and instead of creating a neutral dog can easily turn into over-friendly behaviour, lack of understanding of boundaries or even reactivity. Your priority should always be to expose your dog to balanced, well controlled dogs who your dog is going to have an ongoing relationship with.
Unfamiliar Environments: Introducing your dog to new places with excessive stimuli can be overwhelming. Choose quieter locations for initial socialisation.
Long Duration of Social Sessions: Extended periods in social settings can exhaust your dog or lead to behavioural issues. Keep initial sessions short and positive, it’s better to end a session early rather than keep going and risk a bad experience occurring.
Ignoring Body Language: Failing to recognise signs of discomfort or stress in your dog or others can result in negative experiences. Always monitor behaviour closely.
Neglecting to Socialise in Stages: Jumping into high-pressure social situations without prior gradual exposure can overwhelm your dog, hindering its ability to adapt.
Socialisation is a vital component of your dog's development, and the more owners dedicated to understanding and implementing the correct practices means less negative interactions and experiences for all dogs’ and their owners!
Struggling to Socialise Your Dog or Puppy?
Proper socialisation is key to raising a well-balanced and confident dog.
If you're unsure how to introduce your dog to new environments, people, and other dogs in a controlled and positive way, we can help!
Book a virtual dog training lesson with ASCENDK9 to ask questions and get expert guidance on the best socialisation techniques. We also offer neutral pack walks and dog training classes such as Urban and Group Obedience in Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford, Hertford, and Epping. These sessions provide the perfect opportunity for your dog to learn essential social skills in a structured setting.
Get in touch today if you’d like to discuss the best options for your dog’s social development.