All dog owners, at one time or another, have heard “You have to socialize your dog!” Everyone is saying it, but what the heck does it really mean? In short, it means to expose your dog to all kinds of stuff in the world – people, animals, smells, sights, sounds, textures, men in hats, scooters, etc. – and all the varieties that these things come in. That is socialization in a nutshell, but it does get a little more complicated than that. Exposure itself can cause as many issues as it solves if gone about incorrectly. This article will review the basics of socialization as well as the three best ways to socialize your dog to become a well-adjusted and welcomed canine citizen.
The Three Paths
Warning: If you are dealing with aggression, fear, or any extreme behavior problem, please consult a professional before attempting any of these three paths of socialization.
Interactive
This is the method most people think of when talking about socialization. Interactive means letting dogs interact with the environment. This could include letting people pet your dog and allowing your dog to play with other dogs, sniff bushes and trees, etc. These are all important as long as the dog is enjoying the interaction, but it is only part of a complete socialization plan. Why? Because many dogs who are only socialized this way begin to think, “This is my world and the rest of you are just here as extras.” They may act up in public, misbehave in general, jump on guests, get over-excited at the smallest thing, etc. Such dogs tend to be non-responsive to their humans when even the least bit distracted, which brings us to socialization path number two.
Engaging
The second part of a good socialization plan is when the dog is engaging with you rather than the environment. Playing tug or doing training exercises or playing a good ol’ game of fetch at a park full of dogs, squirrels, and humans may be challenging for some dogs at first but is very important in the long run. This type of interaction creates a dog that’s “all about us” rather than “all about me.” Having a dog that will stay engaged with you in any situation is A++ behavior that makes activities like going off-leash much more trustworthy. Using toys and treats is fine, but make sure to put a lot of yourself into the engaging activity as well. Use a lot of verbal and physical praise and make it fun!
Observatory
Last but not least is the Observatory Path to a well-socialized dog – or what I like to call the Art of Doing Nothing. What this means is that you and your dog are just chilling out while the world goes by. Find a nice outdoor patio table or bench at a park and do nothing. In this exercise, Rover will get no attention from strangers walking by (you will need to monitor this), no sniffing bushes, no frisbee…. just a whole lot of nothing. I know, boring, right? That’s why this socialization exercise gets ignored a lot. Most people laugh at the suggestion and say, “no way, my dog can’t do that!” To this I say, “Of course she can!” Some dogs may have a harder time than others at first but they can all learn to do it.
The Art of Doing Nothing is important because it builds impulse control and gives your dog an on-off switch. Dogs that learn to “do nothing” are invited more places with their humans and therefore have a more enjoyable life in the long run.
Be sure to round out your socialization plan with all three methods then go out and enjoy life with Rover!
Chad Culp is a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and owner of Thriving Canine: Dog Training Services (thrivingcanine.com). He travels the Bay Area doing behavior consults and conducts obedience and non-competitive agility classes in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. To contact him, email chad@thrivingcanine.com.
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