Socialisation and your dog
This a huge and complex area of understanding your dog.
There are many elements involved in this topic, but I think it’s wise and vital to look at some key points.
· KNOW YOUR DOG
Dogs are generally by nature social inquisitive animals.
They are sentient beings with emotions who learn through experiences of the world they inhabit.
Driven by breed traits and characteristics - as we humans are in the whole, as a species, but we have the power of thought and intellect to guide us through life. We are conditioned in similar fashion by nurturing, guidance and experience which gives us wider scope to deal and cope with situations we encounter.
Dogs are amazing animals, in an ideal world we nurture them in A SIMULAR way as our own children, integrate them into our family and lifestyles.
There is a lot of synergy between humans and dogs, the way we develop, and the way we function in groups. But there are differences which need to be considered.
So, getting to know your dog from the start will assist you in the socialisation process.
· OBSERVATION
Find out what your dog likes and is not so comfortable with when it comes to things like –
· Sight
· Sound
· Texture
· Energy
· How they like to play
· What they like to play
· When they like to play
· Who they like to play with
· PLAY
Play is a huge part of life for dogs. It helps to learning new things, it helps to build confidence, it goes a long way in reinforcing trust and bond between you and your dog.
Play is a must for mental wellbeing and is a great way to reward your dog.
Use a variety of toys based on your dog’s likes.
Use toys to engage, but be careful not to over stimulate creating a fixation and excessiveness toward one toy,
Find out what part of a particular game they enjoy the most.
Example – If you roll a ball for your dog, and your dog chases, it collects it and brings it back to you enthusiastically, then pushes it on to you or drops it by you, then they are saying do that again please!
If they collect the ball and take away to strip it bare in the case of a tennis ball, then the tearing apart of the ball is likely to be what gives them the juice in this game.
If we can make our relationship interesting and strong to our dogs, then maintaining or recapturing their attention when outside will be made somewhat easier.
· PLAY AND INTERACTION WITH OTHER DOGS
Like us, dogs are most likely going to have preference for the type of dog they engage with.
We are drawn to some people and not others, that’s fair!
So, understanding a couple of things might help us understand how our dogs want to socialise and who with.
Where do you live?
If you live in a highly populated area with lots of parks filled with lots of dogs, then getting to know your dog and gradual exposure to other dogs will be of great importance.
If you live in a more rural setting with vast amounts of open space for your dog to run without to much engagement, then it’s still vitally important to socialise your dog, but these are different settings and you will encounter different issues.
Towns/cities – The higher the numbers, the more confined the space, the more risk of confrontation/flash points of aggression.
Interestingly, this can be said for humans as well!
Gradually introduce your puppy or new more mature dog to different parks at quieter times.
Have contingencies for controlling your dog and make constant assessment of your dog’s body language when encountering other dogs.
We often overload our dogs to early so, take time in doing this in different environments.
· BREED TRAITES AND CARACHTORISTICS
Bull breeds will generally take a strong more ridged stance when presented with another dog.
This can look threatening and might unnerve other dogs, if the other dog has a flight option, then they can escape. But sometimes even with the flight option available another dog might attack based on this option having worked during previous encounters with similar types.
Brachycephalic (dogs with short snouts or flat faced ) – French Bulldog, will need to get up close to anything they wish to sent, eyes are right there in the face of other dogs, this can be an intrusion and become to much, or trigger reactivity.
Shepherd type dogs might stalk another dog, this might be to only investigate and initiate an encounter for playful purposes. They can be vocal when they see another dog at distance, but the same can be said about many dogs for various reasons, sometimes dogs are already there in their mind playing with the other dog and therefore aren’t making the connection of distance to the other dog before they reach them.
Sight hounds will often tease other dogs into the chase, they also generally prefer greater social distance from other beings. But again, this is down to the individual character of the dog.
Terriers or smaller types might be prone to what looks like aggressive/anxious barking to make themselves look as big and strong as possible. Some dogs will let lose a single more bark with lots of base.
Spitz type dogs can be very vocal when triggered by movement and energy from other dogs.
High end energy which can be over whelming for a lot of dogs.
These are just some common examples, but a lot of what you are seeing from other dogs is based on their coping mechanism when encountering other dogs from learned experiences mixed with breed traits and characteristics/individual dog, and their desire to engage and interact.
Some dogs may not wish to interact at all, or find another dog coming in hot unsettling.
· WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE SAFE WALKS AND CANINE WELLBEING
Get to know your dog.
Think about the area you live in and where you will be taking your dog.
What will they be encountering – Lots of dogs, wildlife, livestock, horse riders.
Choose varied environments for exercise at different times of the day according to how you are training/conditioning or managing your dog for.
Gently and calmly allow interaction to start from a safe distance under control. (With a training leash attached to your dog for safety and control)
Observe your environment, look out for dogs off leash, dogs that might run up to you (STAY CALM IF THIS HAPPENS)
· THE IDEAL MEET AND GREET
OBVIOUSLY WE DON’T LIVE IN A PERFECT WORLD.
If we did the meeting and coming together would look something like –
Dogs form a C shape with their bodies
Body is relaxed
Nose to bum for information
Body language remains calm and relaxed
Dogs feel each other’s energy and remain comfortable with it
Play bow or signal to play
Or just a hello and goodbye
LOOK AND LISTEN FOR TRIGGERS
If you have taken the time to get to know your dog, you might be aware of what calm relaxed looks like. And what it doesn’t for your dog.
There might be warnings from your dogs that they are not comfortable with what is going on, or the attention they are getting.
Trying to move away/create distance
Averting gaze
Yawning frequently
Licking of their lips regularly
TensIon in body
Lip raise
Growl
Air snap
These are all pre - triggers or flash points for aggression. Your dog is trying say something.
If we ignore these signs then there is a potential for reactive behaviour, particularly whilst on leash – NO FLIGHT OPTION.
Try to make your assessment on approach to other dogs.
If possible, engage with the other dog owner. We are all different too! some people are more social than others, and sometimes this might not feel safe.
But if we are calm and making our assessments of the situation, engaging with our fellow human in a friendly way then there’s a good chance this energy will fill the environment around us and transmit to our dogs.
ENERGY
When dogs meet, it’s like to forces coming together.
If you think of an electric charge, when two positive forces meet and collide there is usually an explosion if a negative isn’t found.
Example - lightning, the charge finds the quickest route to earth.
Now imagine two dogs meeting, given that play between dogs often takes the form of one being predator, the other being prey like.
Predator = Positive charge
Prey = Negative charge
Look for signs this is taking place, look for potential triggers and be prepared to act (Calmly regain control of your dog and move away)
If you’re or the other dog initiates play in a ebb and flow, great!
If there is too much pounceing or pinning, barging, mouthing to the neck, separate.
If (common in young males) you suddenly see one dog tense and arch their back, this is a sure sign of an imminent flash point.
Learning to read your dog will help with reading other dogs in general.
Dogs need to feel grounded to feel comfortable. All dogs will be looking for that sense of grounding within in any situation.
We as caretaker’s can always work on socialisation with our contingencies in place.
Not every dog is the right match for your dog, calm head and due diligence go a long way.
Training and management of behaviours is an ongoing process throughout the entirety of a dog’s life.
Enjoy your time together.
Comments