What Is Dog Socialisation?

Dog socialisation describes the process of getting your dog used to everyday life and interaction with other dogs and humans. Essentially, it helps them learn about and react appropriately to the world around them.

Why Is Dog Socialisation Training Important?

A puppy that is well-socialised will be better at coping with and adapting to everyday events. The earlier you start with socialisation, the more likely they are to be happy and confident into adulthood. There are a number of benefits to getting ahead with socialisation training; these include:

Helps You Feel In Control

Socialised dogs are calm and in control, they are friendly but not over-friendly, and they know how they are expected to behave in a wide range of situations. If your dog is not properly socialised, it can be a stressful experience for all of you.

Your dog may be nervous and anxious, or boisterous and overwhelming, and they may become snappy or even bite strangers or other dogs because they don’t know how to interact properly.

It Promotes Mental Health & Wellbeing

By their very nature, dogs are social animals. As much as dogs love their human companions, mixing with their own kind is of vital importance to their social well-being, as well as their mental health and stimulation. Additionally, the social skills and development that dogs need to interact with one another can only be gained through dog-to-dog interaction.

Your dog’s physical health is as important as their mental health; much like humans, dogs become accustomed to routine and everyday life.

A day in doggy daycare will more than fulfil both their need for physical activity and crucial mental stimulation. Managing their routine through variety and interaction in doggy daycare allows your dog to eliminate any stress they may experience when you leave the house. They will also benefit from activities and exposure to a new environment, as well as interaction with new people and dogs.

It Helps With Cynophobia

Cynophobia, or the fear of dogs, can be a truly terrifying experience for its sufferers. The symptoms range from mild discomfort around dogs to panic attacks and severe anxiety, leading to rapid heart rate, sweating, breathlessness, trembling and faintness.

If your dog jumps up at someone with cynophobia, simply reassuring them that he’s ‘just being friendly’ or ‘just wants to say hello’ will not help to put them at ease.

It is vital that you have enough control over your animal to stop them from jumping up in the first place. A well-behaved, well-trained dog, under your clear control, will do wonders when it comes to putting other people at ease.

What Happens If A Dog Isn’t Socialised?

Dogs that have not been socialised from a young age are more likely to develop anxiety, phobias and behavioural problems.

How Can You Spot Signs Of Poor Socialisation In Dogs?

A lack of exposure to varied events and environments can make dogs fearful in later life. Signs of a lack of socialisation include barking at people, other dogs or moving vehicles, as well as loud objects like fireworks.

Aside from barking, signs of stress may include:

  • A stiff head directed towards the object of their concern
  • A tightly closed mouth
  • Bared teeth
  • Wide eyes
  • A stiff tail

They may also show a difference in posture, such as lying on their backs, flattening themselves against the ground or standing.

When To Start Socialisation Training

Ideally, dog socialisation training should begin between the ages of 4 and 12 weeks. This is because these years are the period when your puppy’s brain learns about new things. Therefore, anything they learn at this stage will have a big impact on their future behaviour.

Young puppies will quickly learn how to mix with other dogs, trust unfamiliar people and not be stressed by strange places.

Is It Too Late To Socialise My Adult Dog?

No! Socialisation training is recommended as early as possible, however, no age is too late for your dog to learn. Many people source rescue dogs rather than puppies from a breeder, and so they do not have that control over their first few months.

When it comes to training older dogs, you just need a little more time and patience. That is why our professional trainers are on hand to help.

How Can I Help Socialise My Dog Outside Of Training?

Alongside the training programme detailed below, it is important that you continue to expose your dog to new situations little and often. Easing them into it will help ensure that they are not overwhelmed. Ideally, you should start to arrange for your puppy to meet other dogs or children and go to a few different places between 4 and 8 weeks.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can help your dog learn that experiencing new things is a good thing, as well as encourage any good behaviour they show in a new environment or situation. A negative experience in this period can impact their responses in later life.

Show The Behaviours You Expect From Your Dog

Your dog is very good at reading your emotions, through your voice and body language. If you are anxious and fearful in a new situation or when your dog approaches others, then they will feel the same way.

You need to stay calm and in control, with a level voice and a relaxed approach. Don’t shout when they get it wrong and be careful not to comfort them too much if they get scared, as this only reinforces the idea that the situation was scary. Just calmly remove them from the situation and try again another day.

Start Slowly & Build Up

You need to build up their socialisation in ‘baby steps’, especially with young puppies. For example, start with walks along a quiet side road rather than jumping right in with a main road full of traffic. Similarly, lead walk them around the perimeter of the park for the first few visits, so they can see the other dogs and get used to them.

You can even use CDs and playlists designed to expose your puppy to common sounds they are likely to hear, such as fireworks.

Socialise With Other Dogs Safely

If they are a puppy, it is important to ask your vet when they will be protected by their vaccinations and avoid contact with other dogs until then. While you are waiting, you can still carry your puppy while you are out and about, so they can meet new people and see new places. You can also allow them to meet older dogs, as long as they are fully vaccinated. Ultimately, you should always get in touch with your vet if you are unsure.

Also, it is important that you remain observant, keeping an eye on the body language of both your dog and other dogs. This allows you to react in plenty of time if it seems like the interaction is overwhelming for either of them.

You could even consider puppy classes or groups to help them get used to a variety of dogs in a safe space.

Give Them Some Alone Time

If you gradually build up the time you are away from your puppy, this can do wonders for their confidence. If they are used to being away from you at this age, this will help prevent them from developing separation anxiety later in life.

Keep A Good Routine

Giving them regular mealtimes and bedtimes and sticking to a schedule can help give them a better idea of what to expect. Ultimately, this will help them feel a lot happier on their own.

Our Dog Socialisation Training in Lancaster

At A&T Trained Dogs, we can provide dog socialisation training to give you the control you need to be a responsible, considerate dog owner. Our classes provide a great way for your dog to meet new friends and learn the correct behaviour in a range of situations.

Our expert team have many years of experience with many types and temperaments of dogs.

Reserve Your Slot

Give us a call or fill in our contact form to reserve your slot and learn more about our Lancaster training.

Aside from socialisation classes, we also offer a range of training services, including residential training, as well as luxury boarding, and grooming services.

Our Payment Plans

At A&T Trained Dogs, we offer finance plans for a minimum of £500 up to £55,000. Please visit https://shorturl.at/fitER for more information. Terms & conditions apply.

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