settlementcocaTeaching your pet to socialize is as vital as making sure they get routine vaccinations and parasite preventatives. Dog socialization is a crucial part of pet parenthood. When you begin socializing your pet while young, you’re broadening their bank of experiences that will prepare them for future situations.
If you’re ready to socialize your pet but don’t know where to start, we’ve prepared some guidelines you can follow.
How to Socialize Your Pet With Other Dogs and People
Teaching your furry friend to socialize is one of the best ways to guarantee they become confident and friendly canine citizens. Although there might be hurdles when exposing your pet to social environments, the advantages far outweigh the struggles. However, it’s vital to remember that the best time to socialize your puppies is when they have completed three shots of core vaccines, including one booster shot. This is to avoid contracting lethal viral diseases, such as distemper and parvo.
So we’ve collected five dog socialization tips to get you started.
1. Consider Dog Boarding Facilities
Boarding your canine enables them to engage with other pets and people in a controlled and safe environment. Since dogs are pack animals, interacting and playing with their fellows in pet boarding centers can significantly improve their socialization skills and behavior.
2. Take Baby Steps
When starting canine socialization training, avoid doing too much and don’t rush things. For instance, if you want your pup to get used to being touched by many people they do not know, start with your few family members, slowly introduce one stranger at a time, then two, and so on. Starting socialization training in a busy public place or huge party can be daunting for your pet and may trigger fearful responses to groups of strangers in the future.
3. Go for Daily Walks
Taking your pet for walks around the neighborhood or a public place helps them grow more comfortable in the world around them. From seeing many people to cars driving down the street, the world becomes familiar and less scary for them when you walk them around the block. Take different paths on each walk to experience new sights and allow your pet to meet new friends.
Always observe moderation and practice safety when walking with your dog to prevent unexpected injuries. If you suspect fractures or broken bones following a walk or exercise with your pet, take them to a vet surgeon immediately to attend to the situation. You may browse the web for more info on common pet surgical procedures.
4. Introduce Them to New Smells, Sounds, and Sights
To puppies, the world looks strange, uncommon, and new, so take this opportunity to make a positive association with everything they might run into. Try to expose them to different noises, textures, places, other dogs, and people. The more your pet becomes exposed to numerous things surrounding them, the more they’ll become relaxed moving around wherever you take them.
When your pet becomes more familiar with being around many people and other dogs, consider taking them to dog classes or doggy daycare to further expand their bank of experiences. But before doing so, you’ll need to take your pet to a veterinary hospital in Lincoln to ensure they’re up-to-date on their parasite preventatives and vaccinations. This is important to protect them from common pet conditions when mingling with their fellows.
5. Don’t Lock Them Up
When you have close friends or relatives coming over, unleash your pets, and tell your friends you’re training them to socialize, so they’ll know. Let your dog know the people you’re close to so your pet becomes more comfortable every time they visit. Doing so also keeps your pet from having a negative sense of visitors and being fearful of new people.
To End
Unsocialized dogs pose the risk of developing behavior problems and aggression toward others. So while you have the chance to socialize them, do it. Although it is never too late to socialize adult canines, it’s way easier to do it when they’re three to six months old after completing their core vaccines, including one booster shot. When training older dogs to socialize, patience is the key. Gradually introduce them to new environments and situations, and do not forget to reward them with treats when they show positive social behavior.
