Making sure your dog to properly socialize can be a difficult process. But, dog socialization is an important part of training any puppy.
Making sure your dog is properly socialized in its first year of life will set it up for a successful and happy life.
Let’s go through the top tips and tricks for making your dog some friends today!
1. Training is Important
If you’re looking up, “how to train my dog to be friendly?” training is the first step on your journey.
It’s important to properly train your dog first, so that they don’t cause injury to other dogs or people or misbehave in other ways. Look into reputable training classes in your area, and ask your friends and veterinarian for their recommendations. That way, you’ll be sure to find the perfect class for your dog’s needs.
2. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Taking your dog out to the park and out for walks is a great way to both socialize your puppy and stimulate them. Taking your dog to hang out in an area with a lot of other dogs can help them learn from watching other dogs hang out and play together, so they can mimic the appropriate behavior and reactions when socializing with other animals and people.
And, this will help you get exercise, and your pet get exercise at the same time, keeping you both happier and healthier.
3. Play With Your Dog
Playing plenty of games with your puppy is a fun, and easy socialization tool that you’re both have a ball trying out.
Games that help your dog become accustomed to loud and startling noise is an important part of training your dog so that they don’t get part at every little thing that comes up.
You can also play different games with your dog that helps them ignore distractions and loose items on the street while going for a walk.
Put your dog on a leash, and hold a treat out of its reach. Once your dog stops trying to get to the treat, give your dog a different treat. Rinse and repeat this strategy until your dog gets the point.
There are also games for your dog to help them acclimatize to wearing a leash and help them learn to stop when you pull them back. If your dog is having trouble learning from these games, make sure that you ask for help from the professionals.
You can also ask other pet owners in your life for recommendations on properly teaching your pets.
4. Take Your Dog Around
Once your dog is somewhat socialized, you can multitask and take your dog around on your errands. Using this method, your dog will be able to get used to large groups of people and other animals, and they’ll become accustomed to your routine.
This can make things easier for you in the long term. If your office is pet-friendly, you can even take your dog to work and get paid to socialize your dog.
But, make sure you have safety measures together when you’re first starting out. You should keep your dog on a leash when starting out, and make sure you have a pet-friendly muzzle on hand, just in case. You can consult with your veterinarian for their recommendations on keeping your pet safe.
5. Treat Your Pet
When your dog does a good job socializing, make sure you treat them to reward them for their great work. While you can’t give your pet too many treats, positive reinforcement is a great tool for helping your pet.
Look into healthy treats for your dog to keep them healthy while they eat something they enjoy. Some natural options for dog treats include carrots, apples, bananas, and green beans. Stay away from anything that your dog would be allergic to, like chocolate.
You can also try pre-packaged treats, as long as you do your research and make sure they’re appropriate for your dog.
Experiment with different options, and you’re sure to find something delicious that your puppy will love!
6. Bring Socialization To Them
If you’re worried about how your dog will react to socialization, it’s important to start slow. Start by having a trusted friend over to your home to get your dog used to new people in their own environment.
You can work up to having more people over, and eventually, you can try having other pet owners and their furry friends over.
By bringing socialization to your home, your dog will be able to gradually get used to having other people around in an environment that they feel comfortable with.
Just make sure that your dog is meeting a diverse and inclusive group of people so that you don’t accidentally train them to react badly to people that are different!
7. Let Them Stay Over
Doggy daycare and other places that take care of your dog are great ways for your dog to get properly socialize. Plus, these can be great tools for people with demanding jobs that don’t allow you to take your animal around for.
You can click here for more information on dog daycare.
Dog Socialization Isn’t As Difficult As You Think
Clearly, dog socialization can be achieved in many different ways. You just need to try a few, to find out what’s right for you and your puppy!
Are you looking for more helpful tips and tricks for taking care of your pets and other, related topics? Check out some of our other articles today.