How Do I Socialise My Dog Properly?

Socialisation in Dog Training: More Than Just Meeting Other Dogs

When we discuss socialising dogs, many people immediately think of puppy playdates or dog parks. However, socialisation is a much broader and more nuanced concept that is often misunderstood in the world of dog training. To better grasp what socialisation truly means for our canine companions, let's draw a parallel with human socialisation.

Understanding Human Socialisation

For humans, socialisation is defined as the process of internalising the norms and ideologies of society. It involves both learning and teaching, helping to pass on social and cultural norms from one generation to the next. In essence, socialisation is about learning how to exist in society harmoniously.

This process involves:

Being polite and respectful
Minding one's own business
Forming healthy relationships
Maintaining individuality without impinging on others
Coexisting peacefully with others
Recognising and rejecting inappropriate behaviour
Responding well to uncomfortable situations without becoming fearful or reactive

There is no single correct way to socialise a child. Each culture around the world has different social norms and thus different socialisation standards. While socialisation is usually associated with childhood development, anyone who has moved to a culturally very different country will know that it is possible to adjust and relearn new cultural socialisation as an adult. However, this process is never quite as natural or effortless as what is learnt from childhood.

Environmental Influences on Socialisation

Socialisation is also environmentally dependent. City dwellers are socialised differently from those in the countryside. In rural areas, where you encounter fewer people, it's often socially acceptable to greet everyone you meet and even stop for a conversation. In contrast, city life exposes you to far too many people for this to be practical. The social norm in urban environments becomes ignoring most people you pass and interacting with strangers only when necessary.

This discrepancy also exists in dogs. Socialising a city dog is very different from socialising a countryside dog. City dogs need to learn to ignore most humans and other dogs they encounter. Urban socialisation needs to be more structured and controlled, which is why many city dogs end up over-socialised if not trained properly.

Applying the Concept to Dogs

Now, let's translate this understanding to our furry friends. Proper socialisation for dogs is not just about exposing them or letting them meet multiple other dogs or people. It's about teaching them how to navigate the human world confidently and calmly.

Here's what socialisation should aim to achieve in dogs:

Politeness in various environments: Teaching dogs to remain calm and well-behaved in different settings, from busy streets to quiet cafes.
Respecting boundaries: Training dogs to understand personal space, both with humans and other animals.
Positive interactions: Encouraging friendly behaviour towards humans and other dogs without being overly excitable or intrusive.
Individuality: Allowing dogs to develop their unique personalities while ensuring they can adapt to different situations.
Peaceful coexistence: Teaching dogs to remain calm around various stimuli, from loud noises to unfamiliar objects.
Recognising and avoiding threats: Helping dogs distinguish between normal and potentially dangerous situations without becoming fearful or over-reacting.
Resilience: Building a dog's confidence and resilience so they can handle unexpected or slightly uncomfortable situations without becoming reactive or anxious.

Quality Over Quantity: Being Selective in Socialisation

It's crucial to understand that when it comes to socialisation, less is often more. Quality interactions are far more valuable than quantity. Just as you would shield a child from difficult interactions until they can cope, the same approach should be taken with puppies.

Socialising your puppy with multiple rude dogs, for instance, may lead to them developing rude behaviours themselves. Instead, focus on controlled, positive experiences with well-behaved dogs and people. And when exposing them to rude or reactive dogs ensure that it is at a distance and intensity that the puppy can cope with and recover from, additionally you can teach your puppy how to behave when faced with such a dog to mitigate any potential conflict. This selective approach helps ensure that your puppy learns appropriate social skills and doesn't become overwhelmed or develop bad habits.

Socialisation vs. Social Personality: Understanding the Difference

It's important to distinguish between a well-socialised dog and a social dog. These are two different concepts:

Socialisation: This is a learned skill. It refers to how well a dog understands and adheres to social norms and expectations in various situations.
Social personality: This is an inherent trait, similar to introversion or extroversion in humans and can not be taught. It describes how much a dog naturally enjoys or seeks out social interactions.

A dog can be anti-social (preferring limited interaction with others) but well-socialised (behaving appropriately in social situations when necessary). Conversely, a dog can be very social (eagerly seeking interaction) but poorly socialised (lacking in appropriate social skills or manners).

To draw a human parallel:

An introverted person who is well-socialised might not seek out social gatherings but knows how to behave politely and appropriately when in social situations.
An extroverted person who is poorly socialised might love being around people but lack the social skills to interact appropriately, coming across as rude or overbearing.

Being naturally social or anti-social doesn't determine how well you'll thrive in society. What matters most is being well-socialised. This is the same for your dog.

The Misunderstanding in Dog Training

Many dog owners believe that socialisation simply means exposing their puppy to as many dogs and people as possible. While controlled exposure is part of the process, it's not the whole picture. Proper socialisation is about quality, controlled experiences that teach the dog how to behave appropriately in various situations. Which more often than not involves learning to not greet every person and dog.

By broadening our understanding of socialisation, we can better prepare our canine companions for a harmonious life alongside us. This involves not just exposing them to different environments and animals, but also teaching them how to interact in a way that is respectful and calm, regardless of their natural social inclinations.