Dog Socialization

Socializing your dog should be a life long process. You want your dog to be exposed to as many people, pets and situations as possible so they learn how to behave and react to different things. Take them to new places every few days or so and introduce them to your family and friends.

Introducing your dog to other pets

If your dog has been socialized growing up, they shouldn’t have problems meeting other dogs. But you still want to take it slow and see how things go before letting them loose. The best way to start is by introducing your dog to other dogs that you know are friendly and socialized. When introducing your dog to new dog friends, keep them both on a leash so they can sniff each other, but you can reel them in if you need to. Try to keep the leash slack; if you pull too hard, you can trigger their “fight or flight” instinct. Always introduce dogs on neutral turf, so neither of them feels threatened.

How you can help

Attitude

Dogs pick up on our attitudes and feelings. If you feel stressed, your dog will notice and react to it. If you sense a potential problem, try not to tense up or give your dog reason to panic.

Diversion

Another tip is to divert their attention. Many dogs are hams and love to please their families, so ask your dog to sit, or give you their paw, or some other easy trick they have mastered. Give them lots of praise and attention (and treats if you have some!).

Setup for success

If you don’t know how well your dog has been socialized, always go slow and set your dog up for success. For example, don’t take your dog to a park with lots of pets and people if you don’t know how they will react. Start slowly, with one or two other people and one or two other dogs, for just a few minutes. Don’t take your dog for a car ride only when going to the vet or dropping them off at a boarding facility. They will soon learn that car trips aren’t always pleasant. Take them for a ride to get gas in your car, for example, or the drive through ATM. Your dog gets to stay with you and you don’t have to worry about leaving them alone in the car.

Exercise

Whether you take your dog to the park or for a walk around the neighborhood exercise keeps your dog’s mind and body healthy. They can meet other people and dogs and burn off some energy. Less pent up energy means less distraction from you and overall, better behavior.

Overcoming Shyness

Dogs, like people, have unique personalities. In the dog, breed (or ancestor) characteristics play an important part in an individual dog’s personality. Dog behavior is not an argument for or against nature or nurture, but rather a beautiful composition of both. The confident, outgoing dog is so in part because their parents bestowed them with certain genes that predisposed them to act that way. Once born, however, their environment began shaping and reshaping their personality. So too with the shy or fearful dog. The confident or shy dog is neither born nor made, but something in-between.

Once upon a time, dog owners let their dogs out in the morning and called them home for supper. Much of a dog’s day was their own, to explore, encounter, visit, and play. Today, the dog owner must be responsible for taking an active part in the social life of their friend. Beyond genes, socialization is the key ingredient to a well-mannered, friendly dog. While the tendency towards shyness and fear may have its foundation in the genetic make-up of the dog, these inappropriate behaviors can usually be avoided or overcome through continued socialization from an early age coupled with training and behavior modification.

A young dog needs to be exposed to people, animals, and other dogs, as well as to different places and situations. Each encounter should be positive, lighthearted, and fun. As the socialized dog grows, so does their confidence. Yet, the older dog who is already shy or fearful can also be taught to be more outgoing and confident.

The importance of the walk

Basic obedience training is vital to helping your shy dog overcome their fears. Here are some tips to help you help your dog.

Take your dog for a short walk. As you notice fear beginning to develop, give a command to heel, sit, or down. Immediately follow their obedience with a treat. Add plenty of praise then continue on your walk, repeating the exercise as needed. Start with short walks. As your dog develops more confidence, increase the length and difficulty of your walk by adding new sights, observing strange objects, walking at night, or traveling near noisy areas. You can place a treat on that scary fire hydrant, then encourage your dog to investigate it. When he does, he will reward himself with the biscuit! Soon strange objects evoke curiosity, not fear.

You should walk with an air of confidence, after all your dog is keying on your behavior, so set a good example. Try to avoid coddling, protecting, or babying your dog when they are afraid. Your reactions to your fearful dog, although given out of love, may actually encourage more fearfulness.

The basic principle behind your special walks is to encourage your dog’s confidence by rewarding obedience, exploration, and confident behavior. At the same time, shy or fearful behavior is ignored or redirected into a confidence-building activity. Each positive experience brings your dog one step closer to overcoming their shyness and fears. And, it’s good exercise and a wonderful way to strengthen the bond with your dog.

Source: Overcoming Shyness, The St. Hubert’s Dog Training School