Teddy’s Top Training Tip: Socialisation – Do not let your dog run up to other dogs out on a walk.

 

Socialisation

Do not let your dog run up to other dogs out on a walk

Everyone dog and owner enjoys a walk in the park, along the beach, through a wooded path. Being out in the open air is not only good for our dogs, but it also is good for us too.

We are also told that socialisation is important for our dogs. We are told consistently you must socialise your dog so that it will be friendly. We are told to expose our dogs to other dogs, all ages, sizes and breeds. However, as dog owners are we actually told how to carry out socialising our dogs? The answer here is probably no.

How many dog owners do not visit country parks, dread taking their dog for a walk, avoid off lead areas because they have had a bad encounter with other dogs and owners, not because the dog was aggressive, but because it was too intense.

Let’s look at how an encounter dog to dog from a human view point, here are a couple of scenarios:

Scenario 1:

You are standing in a cue waiting to be served (bank, building society, shop) a person comes up behind you and stands very close. You do not know this person. This person is on the phone talking to someone and as they talk they move about, knocking into you. The conversation is getting heated and you are unable to move as there are a couple of people in front of you and there seems to be a problem at the counter. How do you feel? You cannot escape, you are unable to put any space front or back and as you stand there you are starting to feel very stressed and anxious.

Scenario 2:

You are at a friend/family gathering. You are seated at a table and you are stuck in a corner with people either side of you. You know a few people at the table. Along comes someone who you don’t know, but a couple of the group do. This person introduces themselves, but as they shake your hand, they don’t let go and they are standing and staring at you while the hand shake seems to last a lifetime. How do you feel? You are unable to escape, you may start to look for a way out or an excuse to leave, but several people will have to move so that you can.

As with these two scenarios, it can be the same for our dogs too. How you introduce two unfamiliar dogs makes a huge difference on how they will get along.

• Do not allow your dog to run up or charge up to another dog – this is just rude.
• Do not allow your dog follow another dog, sniffing at his rear end – this can make the dog uncomfortable.
• Do not allow your dog to mount or jump on a dog – this can just another display of impolite interactions.
• Do not allow your dog to run up to another dog barking – it does not matter if your dog is smaller the other dog – it is not acceptable or funny.

Help your dog be a polite dog. Teach your dog about calm introductions. Teach your dog about control. Teach your dog manners. Teach your dog to be an ambassador for its species.