How to Keep Up with Socializing
(Part 2 of the Socialization series)
It’s a lot of work.
If we don’t use it, we lose it.
Covid’s biggest struggle from “returning to normal” is how many more reactive dogs we have out in public on any given day.
Here are my top ways to help you keep socializing (temperament checking your dog) so you can spot the signs that are leading down a slippery slope.
Day to day Brianna works with a lot of reactive fear dogs who don’t know how to operate in a lot of different areas. The massive underlying issue … under socialization. That “socialization period” in our puppy’s lives was taken away during lockdown. No fault of your own.
Dogs who are put in rescues typically have 3 or more common fixable behaviors which make them “unadoptable” and in other areas can lead to euthanasia.
5 Ways to Keep Socializing:
Be friendly with neighbors.
Tell Kathy hiii. Spend the extra 2 - 3 minutes chatting about your day. Keep one eye on your dog and observe how they’re settling down. You may have to cue this 2-5 times. That’s okay. This is the practice zone.
Frequent adventures to the same park.
Your do should know by the time you you get in the car, or you’ve said “park”. Their mental image should be in the same park, the bench, that one tree, etc. This allows your dog to get comfortable in one park that your dog thinks they know the rhythm of. This is the same as you going to the same gym class. The first few times you’re getting comfortable.
Start slow.
Find one friend dog friend to have a playdate for 30 minutes. If it goes well, celebrate with a drink and see how long the dogs can play in a small group. This should be done frequently, once or twice a month. This variety helps your dog be social, nicely. This can be either of your backyard or a neutral spot. Depending on your dog’s guarding, consult with your trainer on this if you have questions.
Does your dog have any dog friends??
Daycare counts, but daycare by itself is not “socialization” in its entirety. When you and your dog are out walking and passing other dogs, that can be part of socialization. Dogs needs to be good with other dogs, no matter their size. If your dog is a only child at home (no other dogs or kids) then they may need to be pushed into more social settings.
Think of it this way, if you’re an introvert as a human, your dog will be too. Then it would make sense why your dog goes high alert when that suspicious character slowly approaches.
Download our Dog Socialization Checklist here.
Join a group! Find walk buddies!
There are Facebook groups (breed specific), or ask your daycare. Group structured adventures help you test your dog’s manners and explore a new local dog-friendly place.
If you’re local to Olympia - Tacoma area, All Ears cohosts community events with a few of their partner daycares. This ranges from Bulldog specific walks to small group hikes. For an updated event calendar, check out our social, instagram.
Ps.s. If you’re a past training client, you have access to free small group meets up, message us “EVENTS” to allearspetcare@gmail.com.
Warning Signs your dog needs more socialization:
Anyone complains or gives you a kind suggestion or trainer’s card.
A dog that jumps at their own shadow, or if you move too fast or jumps and bears its teeth. (This is fight or flight response being activated How long does it take your dog to settle down after that?)
Dog bites another dog or person. (yikes, call me. asap.)
Read more of Socialization series:
The Puppy Socialization Checklist (part 1)
The Importance of Pack Walks
Socializing Period for a Rescue Dog.
(It’s not a matter of early puppyhood… new house, new rules.)
Download our Socialization Checklist here.
