One of the reasons you got a dog in the first place is for the companionship. You want to be able to have friends and family visit your house without your dog freaking out. You also want to be able to take your dog with you when you go places, such as the park, the beach, or for drinks with friends at a sidewalk café. The only way to do this is if your dog knows how to behave properly around other dogs and people. The key is to socialize your dog when he is still a young puppy. Both you and your dog will be happier if he his properly socialized. Here are the Top 6 Benefits To Socializing Your Dog.
6. It’s Safer For Your Visitors
A dog that has been properly socialized at an early age will, in all likelihood, not pose a threat to your friends and family when they visit your house. In most cases, dogs nip when they are faced with the unfamiliar and feel threatened. If your dog feels comfortable around people, knows how to behave, and understands to obey you, then he will be less likely to act aggressively. A dog that has not been socialized may act unpredictably.
5. It’s Less Stressful For Your Dog
It is stressful for your dog to be in unfamiliar situations. You can help reduce your pup’s anxiety through proper socialization and by exposing him to a variety of situations. A dog that is stressed may react with aggression or bad behavior, such as jumping up or pulling at his leash. Once he is used to being around different people and different animals, he will feel more relaxed heading out into the unknown—a new dog park, a friend’s cookout, or a weekend getaway.
4. It Helps Your Dog Be Happy And Healthy
Spending time with other dogs and running around the dog park are great activities to help promote a healthy lifestyle for your dog. Interacting with other pups is good for his mental stimulation. The physical exercise will keep him fit and active. Play time is the ideal time to teach your dog how to get along with other dogs and how to handle doggie drama—overly aggressive dogs, pups that take toys, and the shy, timid pooches.
3. Your Dog Will Know Proper Dog Etiquette
Proper dog socialization is more than just knowing how to make friends with other dogs. It is also about knowing how to behave when out it public and around other people. First and foremost, your dog should know to always listen and obey you. Some young puppies can get easily excited and become too distracted to listen to you. Other dogs may still be trying to learn their place and think they are the alpha. In both of these situations, a strong, consistent owner is needed to make the dog listen. Proper dog etiquette is also knowing how to control their barking, leash training, and eliminating bad habits such as begging, jumping, and running away.
2. It Will Help Your Dog Make Friends
Your dog should spend time with other dogs whenever possible. Exposure to other dogs will help your dog to understand the natural hierarchy that exist in dog packs. Equally important, though, it teaches your dog how to treat other dogs to prevent aggressive behavior, humping, and intimidation. There is nothing sweeter than watching your dog make friends at the park and seeing them play together in good-natured fun. Dogs that have been socialized can experience this. Dogs that lack socialization will spend their time at the park trying to dominate other dogs or hide in fear.
1. It Turns Your Dog Into A Great Canine Companion
A well-socialized dog will be the sidekick of your dreams. You should have very few problems taking your dog with your when you run errands, meet friends, go for a run, or travel. Your dog will be confident and well-behaved and less likely to bark, growl, or dart away. He can be the best friend and partner you want. When you both meet new people and new dogs, it will be a pleasant, non-stressful situation. You will hear wonderful compliments, such as, “What an awesome dog you have!”
Having a dog in your life can be an enriching experience. You can help turn your dog from a pet into a best buddy by making sure that he is properly socialized so he can handle different situations that arise. These Top 6 Benefits To Socializing Your Dog will show you how fulfilling dog ownership can be.