How to socialize my dog?

Here are some ways you can help guide your pet to be more comfortable with other pets and people.

Like their parents, some pets are more social than others. You’ve probably encountered a dog who lights up with strangers and another dog who shies away from new people. 

While there’s nothing wrong with having a more reserved dog, this can lead to stress when they run into new situations. But the good news is, there are some ways you can help guide your pet to be more comfortable with other pets and people. 

1. Go out for walks 

Walking your dog outside is a great way to introduce them to new sights and sounds. This is also a good opportunity for them to encounter different people and pets along the way. 

2. Invite a friend over 

It will be helpful for your dog to meet other people outside your home that they can trust! When preparing for an introduction to a new human, experts recommend that you start by telling your friend to ignore your dog at first. If your dog remains calm, let your friend hand your dog a treat. This can help create a bond between your pet and their new friend! 

3. Encourage them with rewards 

Just like how you train your dog to sit or stay, social skills can be learned through training as well. If your dog reacts well to a new situation, try giving them a reward! For example, you can pet them, hand them a treat or their favorite toy. 

4. Expose to different sounds 

If you have a dog that gets jumpy with new sounds, you can try gradually exposing them. See how your dog reacts when you play sound recordings of fireworks or traffic at low volume. If your pet remains calm at this level, you can gradually increase the volume over time. But whenever they show signs of stress or anxiety, don’t force this on your dog and stop the audio immediately. 

5. Arrange playdates 

If your friend has a dog too, you can try a meet-up if your dog is ready. Try to start slow and keep their playtime at 5-10 minutes first to see how their interactions are. 

6. Visit a mall or paw park 

When your dog shows little-to-no-signs of stress with other people and pets, you can try taking them to a Paw Park! Getting to meet new people and pets not only improves their social skills, but can build up your dog’s confidence as well. 

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