THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY! Socialization for dogs might not be what you think it is.

By Maggi Forootan

 so·cial·i·za·tion

/ˌsoʊʃələˈzeɪʃən/ Show Spelled [soh-shuh-luh–zey-shuhn] Show IPA

noun

1.

a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.

“YOU HAVE TO SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG!”

I hear from dog owners all the time about how important they think it is to socialize their dog. Yes! It’s so important to get your dog out there in the world, meeting other dogs and people…allowing them to experience the world and all of the variety it has to offer. But the more I hear dog owners talk about socialization for their dogs, the more I wonder.

What does it really mean to socialize your dog?

Today, I got up and took a walk in my neighborhood. I went to the hardware store, and then picked up my Mom to go out to lunch. Lots of people crossed my path. I waved and smiled as I passed them on the street. I spoke to the waiter at the restaurant, and thanked the cashier at the hardware store. When my Mom and I finished our lunch, I gave her a big hug and a kiss : )

I didn’t hug the cashier at the hardware store, or kiss the waiter at the restaurant! If I had I might have met with some pretty intense…maybe even aggressive…responses from these poor souls whom I decided to interact with in a totally inappropriate way based on the type of relationship I had with them.

Ewww…I would have been considered…well…kinda creepy!

So why do so many dog owners think that socializing means that you hook your dog up to a 15 foot retractable leash, and let him rudely run up to every dog and person he sees…getting right up in their faces?!

Don’t do it!

First of all, this face to face type of encounter is for many dogs very intimidating. Dogs left to their own devices usually do not greet one another in this fashion. When this type of interaction does occur it can cause a lot of stress for a dog. This stress can cause a dog to feel like he has to react…sometimes aggressively…to this out of control stranger.

So, what are some good ways to socialize your dog or puppy? For one, you need to realize that canine socialization is not just about dogs mixing it up with one another, getting in each other’s faces and making physical contact. It’s about learning how to just exist in each other’s presence. It’s  about getting out and about and just experiencing new sights, sounds, and smells.

There are a lot of preconceived notions when it comes to what we expect from our dogs. Most of them are based on what we have seen dogs doing on TV, or in those Norman Rockwell paintings from the 1940’s…you know the ones where the dogs all seem so friendly and happy go lucky? But that’s not reality. Here are some suggestions for some great ways to socialize your dog.

• When it comes to meeting new dogs, do not force a face to face meeting. It’s better to keep the dogs walking together side by side (movement reduces stress.) If your dog shows signs of discomfort with the closeness of the other dog give him a little space, and then gradually reduce it as calmness prevails.
• Find friends or family members who have polite, stable dogs that your dog can spend time with off leash in a secure place.
• Seek out a good Doggie Day Care. One that is supervised 100% of the time by people trained to step in and stop unwanted behavior.
• Take your dog to parks or dog friendly malls. Don’t force any kind of interaction with other dogs or strangers. Just let him hang out and get comfortable in new surroundings
• Avoid dog parks. Sorry, as great as this idea seems it’s really not the best place to socialize your dog. You never know what kind of dogs might show up at the dog park, and you can’t assume that all of them are stable socially. You also can’t count on all of the dog owners at the dog park to be paying attention to signs that their dogs might be getting into trouble or getting too ramped up and into a bad state of mind which can lead to a fight. A great way to use a dog park for socialization is to take your dog there and walk him, or just hang out on the outside of the fence.
• Do not allow strangers to rush up and pet your dog. Nothing is more off putting to a dog than to have a stranger thrust his or her hand right in his face!
• Avoid isolating your dog. Get him out and about as much as possible so that he becomes less nervous about new things.

Above all else, respect and honor who your dog is today. If he’s uncomfortable in a social situation advocate for him by creating a little space between him and the things he’s uncomfortable with. Slow down, and gradually expose him to new and different things. Stick with his training, and provide him with the structure that will keep him calm and happy.

Trust your dog! He might not be the life of the party, or the social butterfly…and that’s OK!

Lead and Love K9

www.leadandlovek9.com

Family dog training in Orange County, California