You have probably all heard the blanket statement, "Make sure you socialize your puppy!" Or even professionals who create puppy socials for pet parents to sign up for, specifically for puppies. Is it important to socialize your puppy? Absolutely! That I do hope is very common knowledge. But it begs the question, why are we stopping there?
Socialization, just for a temporary recap, is basically a way for people to help their dogs experience a wide variety of people, other dogs, settings, and experiences so they are able to feel more relaxed, safer and adjust to novelty than dogs that have not been socialized. It is widely believed that socialization in the early years helps reduce aggression and reactivity in dogs. I agree with this to a certain extent. I want people to understand that when we look at socialization as a process just for puppies we are setting up our dogs to fail.
When we look at socialization as a process just for puppies we are setting up our dogs to fail.
Years of working with shelter dogs, rescue dogs and personal dogs of clients has definitely made it crystal clear that when we stop providing our dogs with outings, car rides, vet trips (when it is not medically necessary), to families homes, on vacation with us, to the park, walks in the neighborhood, patio dining, etc. then we have unintentionally caused our dogs to experience, smell, see hear and be in modes of observation and contact less and less. Socialization increases a dog's trust bubble, when we quit growing their bubble we can see reactivity, destruction and aggression increase.
We want to have healthy minded dogs. Having your dog literally be part of life as much as possible creates dogs that have the mental capabilities to handle a wider range of distractions and scenarios.
Socialization throughout a dog's life is being proactive, prepared, and on a journey to creating as many positive experiences as possible. Maybe taking your dog out to use the elevator, if you live in an apartment, is really scary the first time. Well if you stop all together it will always be really scary. It is a self fulfilling loop to keep a dog home because they are having behavioral problems. Using a careful behavioral plan and socialization we continue to help the dog be exposed to experiences they might otherwise try to avoid and in doing so our dog comes out of the process happier, more confident and able to go more places to continue to widen their world.
Helping our dogs learn that they are capable of adjusting to any situation is part of creating a healthy, confident well adjusted canine that is mentally enriched in all stages of development.
Ideas for socialization:
Family's homes
Get togethers at your home
Walks with a neighbor and their dog
Scheduled play dates where you choose the doggy friends
Pet friendly stores
Vet visits, just to say hi
Car rides
Walking trails
Tracks
Parks
Beach
Lake
Dog Parks just to walk around the park
Being a foster for a dog rescue
Vacation with your pooch
Doggy Daycare you trust
Group training classes
Dog adoption events
Community events
Become a therapy dog
Meet the Behaviorist, Jennifer Caves, M.Psy, CGC:
Welcome dog lovers and all dogs! I am the founder and Canine-Human Educator for REAL Animal Behavioral Solutions. We consider our work to be rooted in science and driven by ethics. Our passion meets purpose mission is unique in that we empower and educate people with a lifelong skill set to help any dog they share their life with currently or in the future. Dogs are incredibly resilient and intelligent and when the humans in their life know the how, why and successful implementation of behavioral principles- our dogs become happy, healthy and healed.
I have my Masters in Psychology and Canine Good Citizen Certification through the AKC. I have literally been rescuing animals since I was 16 years old with 15 years of behavioral experience. I consider it a privilege to work with you and your dog!
Real Animal Behavioral Solutions provides a holistic whole body-whole brain scientific approach to training using positive reinforcement and relationship building principles. Our one of a kind dog-psychology encompasses the mind and body connections that are inherently at work in dog behavior.