How to Socialize a Dog
Every dog needs to get socialized. But socialization doesn’t just mean to let your puppy play with other dogs, but rather to introduce your dog to as many different noises, objects, people, environments, and animals as possible, so they don’t get scared or stressed in new situations.
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Why should I socialize my dog?
Dogs that haven't been socialized are more likely to act aggressively towards people and other dogs. Properly socialized dogs are also less likely to show fearsome behavior, and are more curious about exploring new places.
Socialized dogs get less stressed in new situations and adapt more easily to different environments. So, if you’re planning to take your dog to the groomer or vet, they'll probably be more relaxed if they've been properly socialized.
Can I still socialize my dog, even though they are already older?
YES! Socialization is super important for puppies, but if you have an adult dog who might have missed out on this, don’t worry.
Your dog can still learn how to adapt to new situations, but it might just take a little longer than for a puppy.
How to Socialize A Dog
Be Mindful of Your Dog’s Comfort Level
Never force your dog to interact with something unfamiliar, especially if they show signs of discomfort. Look out for signs like barking, a lowered tail, or backing away. Always pay attention to their body language.
Introduce New Things Slowly
Don't overwhelm your dog with too many new things at once. Slowly introduce them to unknown things, to give them a chance to explore and get comfortable at their own pace. If you re introducing another sound, start with lower volume and gradually increase the volume. If your dog is vary of an object, start introducing the object by having a greater distance between your dog and the unknown object. Then slowly get closer, while showering your dog with treats and reassurance.
Go to the Park
Going to a park is a great way to socialize your dog. It is a lot of fun and your dog will learn how to communicate with other dogs.
Let them watch TV
Letting your dog watch TV can be a great way to expose them to new sounds. Try putting on a scary movie or the animal channel. Start with a low volume and gradually increase it to help your dog get used to different noises.
Introduce Fireworks Gradually
If possible, introduce your dog to fireworks as well. Don’t light fireworks right next to them, but go to a fenced area with your dog, while fireworks are happening nearby. Play with your puppy and give lots of treats, so they associate the noise with positive experiences.
Get Them Used to the Vacuum
If your dog is afraid of the vacuum, start by turning it on in another room while you play with your dog. Gradually bring the vacuum closer, rewarding your dog with treats as it gets used to the noise.
Socialize with Other Humans
Introduce your dog to children and young kids. They typically behave different from adults and might scream or cry out, which is important for your dog to get used to. Make sure these interactions are supervised and, if needed, keep your dog on a leash for better control.
If you feel that your dog is uncomfortable or starts walking away from whatever you are introducing them to, turn off the noise or distance your puppy from the noise in order to not scare them. And then try again another time and have the noise at a lower volume.
Steps to Teach your Dog the Command “Touch”
If you want to take the training a step further, you can teach your dog the command “Touch” in order to make them more familiar with unknown objects.
Step 1
Place a new object on the floor and place a treat on top of it. New or unknown objects can include kitchen items, clothes, boxes, luggage, tools, vacuum - anything your dog is not familiar with.
Step 2
Call your dog, point to the object and say “Touch”. Once your dog finds the treat, give a verbal praise, like “Good Dog”. While your dog might be more focused on the treat than the actual object, their nose is close enough to the unknown object, which will now register as a positive/safe smell.
Repeat with different unknown objects until your dog starts looking for the treat automatically.
Step 3
Once your dog is comfortable with the “Touch” command, we will take the training a bit further. Now instead of placing the treat on top of an unknown object, we will now reward our dog from our hand. Keep the treats in your hand, give the command “touch” and reward your dog once they explored the unknown object.
Socialization is not difficult but it makes a huge impact on how your dog sees the world. So try to encourage them to explore as much as possible.
Happy training!