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Why Dog Socialization is so Important and How to Achieve It

Dogs approach situations with unfamiliar people and other dogs in different ways.  One dog will become tense, growl and bark while another may cower and try to hide.  Other dogs will approach unfamiliar situations with ease and curiosity.  What is the difference?   Most likely, the reaction of each dog began way back in early puppy hood with a process
known as dog socialization.  What occurs then can affect a dog’s social skills for life.

Early dog socialization starts with taking your puppy out and exposing him to a variety of situations, hopefully involving as many different people and animals as possible.  By allowing your puppy to become familiar with other people and animals in a positive setting, you can teach him that he need not fear this contact.  This will help him accept others without becoming fearful or aggressive.

Using a pet carrier will enable your puppy to meet people while feeling protected.  This relieves much of the pressure on him and he is able to enter the dog socialization process feeling secure and unthreatened.  This will increase your chances of showing him that people and other dogs do not mean harm.

There may be situations where it is essential that your dog deal with unfamiliar people, whether it is a visitor to your home or a walk in the park.  You do not want your dog to suddenly become aggressive and bite out of fear.  Dog socialization will teach your puppy how to react in these situations.  The ideal time for dog socialization is between six and twelve weeks of age.  This, however does not mean that an older dog is stuck in a pattern of unacceptable behavior if he has missed the early dog socialization lessons.

When dog socialization has not taken place, your dog may refuse to allow anyone he does not know into the house.  This may be helpful with a burglar, but you don’t want Aunt Bessie pinned against a wall in terror with your dog growling and lunging at her.  Start slowly, introducing your dog to one stranger at a time.  Allow him to gain positive association with each person before moving on.  Dogs are quick learners.  Once they have learned that people are connected with positive feelings, the next step of dog socialization can begin.

Dog to dog socialization is often more difficult to accomplish.  Dogs are very often very territorial.  If your dog has had adverse experiences with unfamiliar dogs in the past, the dog to dog socialization will be even harder.  Start simply, with exposing your dog to situations where they see other dogs from a distance, but have no physical contact.  Every time you see another dog in the distance, become positive.  Offer your dog a treat and affection.  In time, he will begin to associate other dogs with positive things.

The dog socialization process then moves to allowing the other dog closer.  Ideally, even if the two dogs do not actually like each other (humans don’t like everyone they meet) they will be able to make it through the contact without aggressiveness or fear.

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