What is socialization?
​Many people don't fully grasp what true socialization means. For dogs, socialization involves helping them become comfortable with people, other animals, and new surroundings. When socializing your dog at any age, aim to expose them to a wide range of sights, sounds, smells, textures, and heights. Allow them to observe dogs of various sizes and breeds from a distance; they do not need to interact to feel at ease in the presence of another dog. Similarly, introduce them to people with different sizes, heights, hair colors, ethnicities, and those wearing hats or sunglasses. The key is to provide variety without overwhelming your dog.
Socialization to dogs
When socializing your dog with other dogs, it's best to start from a distance. A fenced dog park can be a great setting for this. Sit with your dog outside the fence at a safe distance, allowing them to observe other dogs playing, barking, running, and sniffing. Reward your dog for staying calm and watching from a sit or down position. Once your dog is comfortable giving you their attention while in a calm position, gradually move a few steps closer to the fence and repeat the process. Continue this until your dog is able to focus on you, even with distractions nearby.
Socialization to people
When socializing your dog with other people, it's important not to let them greet others right away. If someone asks to pet your dog, politely explain that they are in training. Allowing people to approach your dog too soon can interfere with your training efforts, potentially leading to leash reactivity from excitement or fear, disobedience, and other issues. It's best to start in a park with light to moderate traffic, exposing your dog to walkers, runners, bikers, cars, and other moving elements. Ensure your dog is comfortable with both slow and fast-moving people and objects. Just like when socializing with other dogs, begin by keeping a distance from pedestrians and let your dog observe without interaction. Once your dog is focused on you, gradually move closer and repeat the process. Parks, shopping centers, dog-friendly stores, and pet stores offer great opportunities for socializing to people.
Socialization starting in the car
When arriving at a new or familiar location, remember that socialization begins in the car. Take extra time to sit with your dog in the car and allow them to decompress before getting out. If you let your dog exit the car while in a highly emotional state (such as fear, anxiety, excitement, barking, or whining), that behavior can carry over into your training or activity. Reward your dog for focusing on you while calmly waiting in a sit or down position. Giving them time to relax and calm down will make it easier to handle them once they exit the car in a more composed state.