The Unpopular Truth About Socializing Your Dog..

In this video, I'll talk about how to socialize your dog with other dogs. And the pitfalls that some people experience when they rush this process.

We’ve built parks specifically to facilitate dog play. There is a booming industry in Doggie Daycares and Cage-free Boarding facilities. I can’t walk down the street with my dogs anymore without having to address other people wanting their dogs to play with mine. Half the time, the human is so convinced that my dogs will be their dog’s next play thing, that the approaching dog is off-leash and has no semblance of a recall. More and more, I’m met with dirty looks or snotty comments when I try to politely decline the interaction.

If we applied these same standards to humans, we would be expected to enthusiastically greet every person who ever crossed our paths. We would be in a constant state of high-arousal from being in a social gathering all day long. Imagine being thrown into a party where you don’t know anyone, but you’re expected to run and enjoy the scene — sometimes every day. Would you be happy if you had to hug or even shake hands with every stranger you come across? What happens if or when you DON’T want to say hi, play or interact? Are you afforded the luxury of saying, ‘no thank you, not today?’

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Happy Training! ~Ken

[kicknadeadcat]

What I found works pretty well if you do it consistently is don't walk your dog in a park when you 1st get out of your car. Find the closest bench and sit there for 10 to 15 minutes. When other dogs and people walk by, try to restrain your dog from going towards them. Let other dog walkers be aware that your dog is in training, And to please keep walking. Let them sniff the ground sniff the air And get that out of their system. After a while the dog will realize that they're going on a walk and everything else will be a minor distraction.

[cfrost]

I think socialization should be about teaching your dog how to act around other animals and people, not being playmates with every other dog out there.

[cmciff]

We have a new 9 week old puppy and have been stressing about socialization, thanks much for this perspective!

[mntngirl]

Yes poor dogs don’t get to claim personal space without a confrontation. My dog just doesn’t like other dogs. He tolerates them fine until they get in his face. Owners just assume because he is out and about with me that their off leash dog can just approach mine without asking me. Irritating.

[sarafrancis]

This is such an eye-opening video, thank you for being honest about socialization and making it known that it’s okay to not introduce your dog to every dog that walks past. The biggest struggle is telling other dog owners that I don’t want my dog to meet theirs on leash, and then getting backlash about how I should be socializing her more. This was very helpful!!

[michelecraig]

Good advice. I trained Guide Dogs and our own dogs before dog parks existed and they were all perfectly socialized. I find that a lot of people at dog parks are totally clueless about dog body language and dog behavior.

[thatonedog]

Oh man, when I tell people they can't touch my dog, they act all offended. Then say something like "but you shouldn't bring your dog out if we can't touch her"

My dog is NOT public property. And while I expect her to behave around other people, the truth is that she does NOT like people. And I'm not going to force her to interact with people she doesn't like. I'm going to let her if she's behaving because I want her to learn that she can trust people, but I'm not going to force her.

[JoniClark]

This is one of the most useful videos I have watched!!! I enjoy your training videos as I am in training myself while training a beautiful Chocolate English Lab, who just turned a year old and has so much energy. The statement you made about "why we get our dog", not to play with the neighbors dog or become exhausted at dog park....was so powerful to me and has me feeling really good about where I need to go.

[heidihughes]

This is truly one of the best videos I’ve watched - well spoken, straight to the point (without any annoying fluff) and very clear instruction. Thank you :)

[marilynmani]

This is how I feel about socialization and this is why I don't take my dog to dog parks. But, learning from you on the best ways to meet other dogs. Thanks!

[philipgrygo]

You guys make so much sense. Too many people think that they have to let their dog greet every dog they see. Ive experienced it in PetSmart and the Vet’s office. NO I don’t want your damn dog coming up to say hello.

[motherofspoon]

Thank you for putting these videos on YouTube, I am getting a puppy soon and I have been watching a lot of your videos. I feel prepared to welcome my new puppy into our home with confidence, because of the information you have given me. Thank you

[Ed_Lothia]

I have social anxiety and have felt really bad about not always letting my dog greet other dogs we meet on our walks so this actually made me feel pretty good lol (my dog isn't even that interested in other dogs I've just thought that it's a thing I SHOULD do)

[randomactivitiesco.]

My kids' pediatrician and I were just talking about this!!!! We both have dogs that do not want to be with other dogs and don't want other dogs coming up to them all the time. This is good advice! My dog has had so many hyper dogs run at her when I have walked her, she now hates it. She has been very good about it, lucky for me, but it is a pain that so many just let their dog come straight at yours when yours can't get away.

[jooneemoon]

delighted to discover your videos. you are speaking my language, especially about dog owners being conscious about the fact that dogs differ in how they are in their 'doginalities', in how they are about being approached by another dog etc.. In my experience it can often be the dog owners that are the bane of my life, as well as off-leash dogs whose owners claim that their dog is friendly, and yet may cause difficulty because they are interacting with my on-leash dog. All my efforts to explain that it's not about their dog so much as the potential reaction of my dog on-lead that might be the issue, leaves me in despair. I take evasive action now when I see the potential for such difficulties and have long since stopped going to dog parks; I see them as a hotbed of potential and actual hazards.

[maydanlex]

This is a dog information channel that is so well thought out and explained. Much appreciated. Rockstars the lot of you!!!

[navk.chohan]

Oh I love this!!!! This is exactly what we needed before we start socializing our pup. Thanks for the advice!!!

[johnandannewrightson]

less than 2 minutes into this video and you are spot on. my other annoyance is every person who comes over wants to pat my dog. not all dogs appreciate others on their territory.

[edefrain]

We just signed our pup up for a leash manners & polite greetings class with a local dog training place! I LOVE their setup on training and boarding. They very much believe in good socializing like you were talking about (small group play. Matched up with another dog of the same personality). We had a trainer come to our house to help but he didn’t unfortunately. And I think classes are the way to go for my pup! I love watching you videos. They always make such amazing points!

[queeny]

I socialized my dog by taking him to the horse yard. He saw cows, horses, other dogs, sheep, cats, and small children. This was all supervised but he became a well balanced and happy dog. He still doesn't like that one spaniel and the cockerpoo who lives next door but that's ok. both of us owners know that they don't get on so we just keep them away from each other