How to train your dog to be social

Are you looking for the best pawrenting tips for your puppy?

In this blog we will discuss:

• What is a social dog and how to begin socialization?

• Common situations that pawrents worry about.

What is a social dog?

• Sometimes dog owners simply think of dog socialization as being friendly with other dogs and liking strangers, but socialization has a more comprehensive meaning.

• As dogs live together in the same space with people, they must adapt to the society and do not feel fear or tension from various stimuli (sounds, objects, people, dogs, environments, etc.) that may be exposed in the process of living together.Growing up as a well-mannered dog by following the rules is to have good sociability.

• Social skills are mainly developed through walking, as dogs explore new or familiar places, smell and mark their territory, feel various external stimuli, and become emotionally stable even in situations that can cause tension and anxiety.

How to begin socialization?

• Depending on where you go or how you adapt your dog there, it can be socialization education, or on the contrary, it can lead to a bad situation that causes great stress and, in severe cases, trauma.

• For example, a dog park can be a space where dogs can run around and have fun with each other, relieve stress, and make friends, but on the contrary, it can also be a space where they can instill nightmarish memories, lose their social skills, and learn bad behaviors.

• Each dog has a different personality, so it's not a good idea to get too close in the first place. It's good to keep them at a certain distance and allow them to contact each other if you feel like they're in a good mood. It is also important to provide adequate control when your dog or other dog shows unmanned behavior.

• ​If there is a sudden stimulus in a crowded environment, it is good to give it a sense of stability through protection such as a hug.

Common situations that pawrents worry about

If you work hard to balance both control and protection for your dog's social development, your dog can grow into a social dog.

# 1 My dog is especially afraid of meeting other dogs

• Some dogs don't seem to be so afraid of people, but when they see other dogs, they pant like motion sickness, hide behind the dog owner, and hide in the grass or park rocks, and are afraid even though the other dog was coming kindly to get to know him.

• This is usually the case when meeting other dogs for the first time. If you don’t let your dog meet others because he or she is afraid, however, this condition might get worse. You have to keep developing your dog’s social skills by having as much opportunity to meet others.

# 2 Is it difficult to make friends with a cowardly and unsocial dog?

• Even when puppies who are much smaller than or much younger approach your dog, some may run away and tremble. Even when you are out together for a walk, if other dogs come to say hello, your dog may jog around or hide behind the owner asking for a hug.

• Just like people have different personalities, so are dogs. If the dog's personality has always been shy like this, there is no need to forcefully develop social skills. Still, dogs usually get along very well with dogs whom they see regularly and have a similar personality with good relationship.

# 3 Is it okay for a dog who is not interested in other dogs?

• When you go out for a walk, your dog may ignore the other dogs and just look at the owner and pass by. If you stop for a moment and another dog approaches, just to say hello, as soon as that dog actively tries to sniff your dog, your dog turns its back and sits down and yawns like he or she is under stress.

• Merely being friendly with other dogs is not all about good socialization, but a dog that does not bark or bite is rather being a good social dog. Your dog may not be interested in other dogs. Of course, meeting other dog friends on a regular basis can improve developing hospitality with other dogs.

Closing

It's good for dogs to experience a variety of friends while having a careful meeting under your supervision. Over time, your dog will get used to making new friends!

• Dog trainers say that it is not a good way to meet other dogs blindly just to develop your dog's social skills. It's good to make friends with local dogs that you can meet easily and often, but it's true that it's difficult to know the other dogs’ tendencies when you start making a friend nearby. It's a true concern for many dog owners.

• You can meet a dog that seems to suit your dog's age and personality. Dogs also have a very good memory! The more friendly dogs meet, the more stable your dog becomes.