What does socializing mean?
Socialization is a key element in the growth of your pup. As a dog owner you want to raise a well-adjusted, happy, and confident dog. This can happen if you make an early start with your pup and gradually introduce him to animals, people, experiences, sounds, and new surroundings. You will find that slowly your pup will get used to external stimuli and will feel comfortable in all situations.
Socializing means that you involve your dog as much as possible in your day-to-day activities. Say for instance playing in the yard, playing with other animals in the park, interacting with grown-ups and children, or simply lying down and listening to people speak. All these situations to which a dog gets exposed, builds on the social skills of your dog.
There are numerous benefits of socialization:
- Socialized dogs are more experienced in adjusting to unfamiliar situations and experiences.
- Dogs feel more confident and secure and this reflects in their body language.
- They are able to read the body language of other dogs and are open to playing with them.
- Your dog becomes aware of the presence of children and behaves less aggressively.
- It becomes easier to house break your dog.
How to socialize your dog in simple easy steps
- Become the leader
Dogs like to follow a leader and you can make your dog understand that you are the leader that he has to follow. This will allow your dog to enjoy himself and socialize with others as it won’t feel unsure anymore who he has to follow.
- Make an early start
Start with the vaccination of your pup at an early age, preferably when the pup is between 4-12 weeks old.
- Don’t rush
Start with a slow approach so that your pup easily adjusts itself into a pack. For instance you might want to try one- on-one interactions between your pup and another dog.
- Reward your dog
Whenever your dog does something nice, or shows positive behavior, reward it immediately.
- Use your dog’s name consistently
Call out your dog’s name to signify that it means it should look at you and pay attention. When the dog comes to you always reward it. Never call out your dog’s name when you are angry as it will mean that the dog’s name is associated with anger.
- Be patient
Take a slow and steady approach and watch your dog socialize. The more improvements that you see in your dog’s behavior, the more satisfaction will you derive from your efforts.
- Be regular with exercise
Ensure that walks are a daily part of your dog’s routine and fix up a time for the walks. This is a very good way to acquaint and socialize your dog to see new places, and to smell new things.
- Mix it up
Make your dog meet as many people as possible, so that it gets acquainted and familiar not with just one person, but with many.
- Take cues from your dog
Keep your eyes peeled for any cues that your dog might give you. For example if he is tired and needs rest. This is important because there is no point in teaching new things to your dog if it is tired.
- How can Club Mead help in socialization between dogs?
Not every person has the time and motivation to let their dogs socialize with each other. It is here that Club Mead Pet Resort can play a big role. A regular day in the kennel consists of exposure to new dogs and new people. Running in and outside to play introduces them to a regular schedule, which dogs depend on. They learn to trust new people and that they are getting fed and exercised regularly. New things become nothing to be afraid of. Kenneling your dog at a young age will help them cope with the rigors of life later on.
