Hi everybody so the question of the week is: how do I enhance my dog’s social skills?
A healthy head start with a new puppy is the best approach to having a social adult dog. Safely exposing your puppy before 12 weeks of age is a critical social time frame to imprint pleasant and positive memories and associations upon your dog. This isn’t always a feasible task for dog owners when historically and traditionally people were instructed to keep their puppy home and tell they have had all their vaccines. Since you are inquiring about socializing an older dog, there is a possibility the idea of socializing did not happen or quite often you have a rescue dog and have discovered they are not the best of socialites.
Sometimes it’s easiest to compare dogs to people in social settings.
We have social butterflies and we have people that participate in group activities and social functions, although they might not find it to be the most enjoyable of activities. Despite the fact that these people are engaging in social activities, they may not be enjoying themselves, but they are not aggressive now are they. In the event you find that you don’t have a social butterfly of a dog, the best choice is to allow them to opt out of social settings and in the event that you choose to take them to places where there are other dogs or people or social functions that may create anxiety or tension for your dog, the best choices of action are to allow your dog to participate on the sidelines and or conduct counter conditioning activities during the events. Dogs should never be forced to be introduced to another dog, especially while restrained and especially not a puppy. You can encourage your dog to tolerate being in social situations, but you cannot force them to like it.
Another comparison is having a child that you want to be an all-star football player but their interests are in playing a musical instrument.
Some dogs can’t wait to get to the dog park, and others you can’t drag out of the car. Forcing a dog to be in a social environment can put your dog in an uncomfortable position to the point to where they could possibly appear aggressive when in reality they have been trying to send a clear message across that is not being understood.
Be aware of your social drive or lack of and be excepting of their personality and their temperament.
It’s important to understand the limits to your dogs’ sociability.
Bouncing around at the dog park is being social, but so is sitting politely at a distance with a group of dogs and people.
What are the factors for a dog to be social?
1) Early puppy socializing before 12 weeks of age.
2) Introducing your dogs to other dogs that are happy and social and playful.
3) Having good experiences with other dogs and forming positive associations.
4) Avoiding trauma and injury from other dogs.
How can we help uncomfortable under-socialized dogs be more social and social situations?
1) A process of desensitizing and counter-conditioning.
This means feed your dog chicken while working with them at a distance from other dogs.
Don’t allow other dogs to come into your dog space while they’re on a leash.
And don’t scold your dog for not wanting to socialize with other dogs.
This causes them to form negative associations towards the other dogs and possibly even you.
All encounters with other dogs should be from a distance, limited, and your dog should be offered treats so that they can form positive associations when in the presence of other dogs.
If you have a question about training or behavior, please email me at HappyLabLady77@Yahoo.com
Make it a Pawsitive Day!
Val S Elliott CPDT Behavior Coach
Wags of Wisdom:
One man said, “My cat inspires me daily. He inspires me to get a dog!”
The Daily Dog:
Buddy is the daily dog. He is a little Papillion mix that loves to play. Buddy is a brave little soul. He is a fire victim survivor. He was recently rescued from a burning building. He escaped unscathed and he is a champ. Buddy believes life is too short and so we should all just roll in the mud and have fun.
If you would like to send a cute photo with a description or short story about your favorite furry friend, please send it to HappyLabLady77@yahoo.com
