Socialising - what is it? Let's start with what it's not. Allowing your dog on or off lead to be out of control with dogs/people. Why? What's the problem? Allowing your dog to greet every dog on and off lead, play with other dogs when you know you cannot call them away and stop the play immediately teaches your dog that this is acceptable behaviour. The same with running up to every person that they see. So when you see that nervous/aggressive/old/well socialised dog or a young child/frail person when you're out one day and your dog greets them all excited and playful, you have taught them this is acceptable behaviour when it's not. It doesn't matter how friendly your dog is, you're forcing a situation upon another dog and owner that they may not be happy with. Dogs do not have to play with other dogs. Yes it's nice to see dogs mutually play together but this is not a fundamental need. You are far better teaching your dog to ignore other dogs, listen to you and find you the most exciting thing - and then, only when given a command in a situation you and the other dog and owner feel comfortable, you can allow them to play. Knowing full well if you call your dog they will stop and come back because you hold far more value that the other dog. So how do you achieve this? When you get your puppy, instead of taking them to social groups and letting them roll around with other puppies, take them to busy places: a dog park, town, local car boot, shops etc and work your dog. Yes, even your tiny puppy that's only just had their jabs - they are fully capable of learning early on that nothing else is more interesting and rewarding than you! When your dog is on lead it is equally important that you do not allow them to greet every single dog and person they meet. All you're doing is teaching your dog that other dogs and people hold value which they shouldn't. Having your dog ignore dogs and people when on a lead walk, unless given permission to say hello, is correct socialising. There's nothing worse than walking your dog through town and someone's got their dog on a Flexi lead scrambling towards yours in an over-excitable manner as the owner smiles and giggles at you and asks if their dog can say hello. NO. Absolutely not. No, the dog may not be aggressive but the whole situation is full of bad manners and your dog will not appreciate being approached in this way. They may appear not to mind but chances are over time they will begin to be more fearful of dogs approaching them on lead. Don't forget that two excitable dogs are just as likely to get into a fight as two aggressive dogs so keep them under control. Out for an off lead walk but see another dog? Get your dog focused on you, ask them to heel, sit, wait. Get them to work for you past the distraction of another dog. You can always put them on a loose lead or long line initially for back up whilst training. It's never to late to start this training, if you have an older dog that doesn't pay attention to you and runs off to every dog or person they see it can absolutely still be resolved - but further work will be required, any good dog trainer will be able to help you resolve this. So next time you see a social dog gathering that you desperately wish to attend, use this as an opportunity to socialise your dog correctly, keep them focused on you rather than the other dogs. Be mindful, these types of gatherings can be very unhelpful as the vast majority of dogs will not be trained and will continuously harrass your dog whilst you try to train, so best avoid. Our pack walks are specifically set up for this type of socialising. Dogs can be on or off lead however dogs are only off lead if the owners have control over them, to prevent them disturbing everyone who is trying to work on engagement with their dogs. We spend time helping you train and work your dog whilst around the distraction of other dogs. Then, those who wish to, under close supervision and control can allow their dogs to have some free time to play, if they wish, once the engagement has been worked on. Teaching the dogs how to socialise properly 🐶
