Socialisation - It’s not always social

“Socialisation” is often misunderstood—it’s not about your dog being the life of the canine party. Instead, it’s about building confidence, calmness, and good manners in a variety of situations. Let’s dig into this deeper. Oh, and don’t miss your invite to a safe dog/dog social walk at the bottom of this newsletter!

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Insights on what socialisation really means.

• Practical tips for healthy dog-to-dog interactions.

• An invitation to our February Social Walk! 👀👀😉😉

It’s unfortunate that we use the word “socialisation” with dogs as we tend to think of this in the human sense of being “sociable” - seeking out and interacting with others in a fun way.

“Socialisation” in relation to dogs is a different thing altogether. It’s about exposure to people, dogs and situations in a way that builds their confidence and resilience while promoting a healthy mindset toward these things. It’s not always about having to interact as a social butterfly.

By the way, "socialisation" can mean slightly different things depending on your dog’s age. For puppies, it’s about introducing them to the world in a safe, positive way to set them up for a lifetime of confidence. For older dogs, it’s about refining their skills and addressing gaps in their experiences. Both benefit from effective socialisation, but the approach and goals may differ.

Socialisation includes exposure to dogs, people, places, sounds, and a variety of experiences. All of these elements play a role in helping your dog become confident and adaptable.

That said, let’s zero in on one key aspect: dog-to-dog socialisation. We’ll explore our own dog’s preferences, how to manage them, and practical tips for ensuring your dog has positive experiences with other dogs.

Dogs with Dogs

We tend to think that dogs should always be sociable with other dogs. Just like humans, dogs have unique personalities. Some love meeting every dog; others prefer a few close friends, and some would rather avoid socialising altogether.

If you have a party-loving dog who wants to play with another dog, it does not mean the other dog’s preferences are the same. Your dog’s preferences don’t reflect how all dogs are.

The best place to start with this is to put aside your human preferences about how sociable with other dogs you would like your dog to be, and instead really see the dog before you. Is your dog keen to meet other dogs, or do they only want small doses of interactions with other dogs? Consider this article:

Is your dog, dog social, dog-tolerant, dog-selective or dog-aggressive?

Here are a few options that people often assume are the best for dog-to-dog socialisation. Let’s consider these, along with their pros and cons.

Dog Daycare

Pros:

• Your dog meets a variety - and usually a lot - of dogs.

• It frees up your time.

• Good daycares will have rest times, and staff who understand dogs’ stress levels and will manage interactions safely.

Cons:

• Interactions may not be properly supervised and well-managed in daycares where staff lack training or experience.

• Over-excitement can lead to poor behaviour outside daycare when dogs become conditioned to think every dog they meet is a party waiting to happen.

• Some daycares can be too overwhelming and stressful for sensitive dogs.

Dog Parks

Pros:

• Convenient and free.

• Lots of new dogs to meet.

• Either enclosed area or large open area so plenty of off-lead space.

Cons:

• Unknown and unpredictable dogs and owners.

• Fights or bad experiences can (and do) happen.

• Enclosed dog parks tend to attract owners who “just let the dogs play” without adequate supervision.

Walking Groups or Professional Walkers

Pros:

• Expertly managed group interactions, when the dog-walkers are suitably experienced.

• Combines exercise and socialisation.

• Dogs are closely monitored and managed (when done properly).

Cons:

• Limited availability if packs are full.

• If off-leash, there is a greater risk of incidents occurring.

• You’re not directly involved in learning about healthy canine communication.

So - What’s Best? 💁‍♂️💁‍♂️

Every dog is unique, and the best choice depends on you knowing your dog’s personality and preferences. Dog-social and dog-tolerant dogs can do very well in daycare settings when they are managed well with appropriate supervision and rest times. Dog-selective dogs may need to be placed with specific other dogs in a daycare setting, but may do better when walked with a pack they get to know well. Dog-aggressive dogs need a different approach with training and behavioural modification to help them cope in the world.

Less Is More!

Healthy socialisation with other dogs is about having meaningful, positive experiences, not just racking up as many interactions as possible. When building your dog’s confidence and good manners, skip the chaotic dog parks and focus on calm, controlled environments. For example:

• Walk past other dogs without interacting to build focus and neutrality.

• Arrange short, low-pressure introductions with dogs you trust.

• Learn your dog’s body language to understand how they’re managing with another dog.

Be careful with meetings with random dogs

While many people love to take their dogs to dog parks or on the streets and allow meetings with random dogs, I don’t recommend that without a good assessment of the other dog. It could be that the random dog is aggressive or over-the-top in its play, and your dog ends up having a bad experience (at best) or injured (at worst). Ask me how many cases of dog reactivity I see that have started from a bad experience with a random dog…

Monitor Stress

Does your dog seem nervous, reactive, or overly excited during introductions to dogs? These are signs to slow down and reassess. Forcing interactions or allowing them to become over the top can lead to setbacks or behavioural issues. Let your dog set the pace but manage as needed. Watch for subtle signs of stress, like lip licking, yawning, or avoiding eye contact. It’s okay to take it slow—your dog will thank you for it.

Time for some safe dog/dog socialisation! 🐕🐕

You’re invited to the next social walk around Hamilton Lake on Sunday, 23 February, at 9 am. Dogs will be around other dogs, all on lead and in a controlled manner. We meet on the grass opposite the Hamilton Yacht Club.

Rules of the Walk

• Dogs must stay on the lead at all times

• No dog-to-dog greetings without the owner’s consent, please. Not all the dogs will welcome random dogs in their space.

• Pick up all poop (goes without saying, but there, now it’s said).

• Respect pedestrians and other dog walkers on the path. Make way for people as appropriate, so we’re not road-hogs.

• Remember to act as good ambassadors of the dog-owning community at all times (not everyone likes dogs - weird huh?)

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