Socialization
Socialization is a very important part of a dog's development. For puppies, socialization with other dogs should start as soon as you are given the ok by your vet. For dogs who are up to date on their vaccination, you should start immediately. Social encounters with other dogs will help increase your dog's confidence when it comes to being in new and unfamiliar situations. Please note: There are some dogs out there who have experienced some sort of negative interaction during their fear periods and this leads them to a have a fear response of aggression or reactivity towards other dogs. With training and confidence building exercises these behavioral issues can be reversed. When starting the socialization process, all interactions should be closely monitored. This way if someone becomes a little too rough you will be able to intervene right away.
Taking your dog into dog-friendly stores is another form of socialization and is recommended for all dogs. Some of my favorite places are Home Depot, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, Nordstrom Rack and World Market; as well as the many dog-friendly coffee shops. Pro tip: When you are in a store with your pup and someone asks to say hi, first put your dog in a sit before the interaction occurs. When out on a walk, don’t let your dog greet another dog without asking the other owner if it is ok. Unless you ask you won't know if the other dog has behavioral issues on a leash or if the dog is sick.
PlayStyles
Now you might be asking yourself after reading the information above, “How can I be sure if the behaviors my dog is exhibiting or those of another dog are friendly?” Playstyles vary from dog to dog and it might take you a little while to learn how your dog chooses to show them. There are a few key body language signs to look for when dogs are playing together. You will be looking for a loose, wiggly body with a lot of bouncing, play-bowing (the downward dog yoga pose). Another thing to note is that dogs use their mouths a lot during play. You may notice growling or crying from one or both dogs.This is perfectly normal and an essential part of play. When the tone or body language changes, that is when you should intervene and stop the play. This will allow the dogs to reset before playing again. We will go into detail on body language at a later date. The way dogs communicate with each other is very interesting and there are variations to just about everything.
As I mentioned in the beginning, we are looking to keep all social interactions positive. We do not want to scare or cause your pup to lose confidence. The behavioral issues caused by a loss of confidence tend to be very overwhelming for some owners and are one of the main reasons people seek out trainers. Socialization is not something we stop after puppyhood. It's something that needs to be worked on throughout your pup's entire life. Dogs are very social creatures and as such need social interaction with other dogs, other animals and people to thrive.
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