Socialization is the process that makes your dog friendly with animals and, even more important, with people. Sure, it would be a severe inconvenience if your dog were unfriendly to other dogs, especially if you must walk your dog on the street and pass other dogs every day. But it would be a more pressing and constant worry if your dog were unfriendly to people, and it would be a disaster if your dog were not friendly to family members.
The Benefits of Good Social Skills
A well socialized dog is a friend to all, and she’ll be a welcome guest. Yes, you want your dog to be a party animal! Most behavior problems, including aggression, fear, house-soiling, not coming when called, separation anxiety, chewing, and barking, stem from poor socialization.
First, you should socialize the dog to your family, but this step alone is not sufficient, no matter what size your dog. Many owners of super-friendly family dogs experience a rude awakening when the dog snaps at a visiting child, a stranger in the dog park, or the veterinarian. It’s great that the dog likes Mom, Dad, the two kids, and a couple of family friends, since these are the people your dog will spend most of her time with. But socialization means teaching your dog to be friendly and accepting of all people you introduce to her, especially unfamiliar children and men, as these two groups of people are the most likely to be bitten by a dog. It is not sufficient to teach your dog just to get along with her usual social circle. There is always the chance that an unfamiliar child or veterinary technician will handle your dog, and you want her to be prepared for the encounter.
Take your dog on frequent trips down the socialization roadway.
Habituation is the process of familiarizing your dog with stimuli (sights, sounds, smells, and experiences) so that she becomes comfortable with them. The more stimuli your dog is comfortable with, the less likely she is to suffer from fear or anxiety and to develop related behavior problems. Be aware that socialization and habituation are ongoing processes. Your dog must continue to meet unfamiliar people and animals and be exposed to new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences throughout her life if you wish for her to continue to be a friendly dog.