Properly Socializing An Adult Dog

Posted on: 17 September 2015

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If you're adopting an older dog, you might wonder if that dog will get along with your family, friends and other dogs. Puppies are easier to socialize because they grow up in an environment where they are around you and your family; so when they are adults, they don't usually need additional training. However, if you're adopting an older dog, that spent a lot of time alone or without other pets to play with, knowing how to properly socialize them, and integrate them into your family, is important for their safety and the safety of other pets.  

Why Socializing is Different Between Adult Dogs and Puppies

Puppies are playful, explorative, and trusting. You can usually expose your puppy to new things, places and other pets at a very fast pace and they will continue to enjoy and adapt well. Adult dogs, however, are not so easily adaptive.

Adult dogs are instinctively resistant to other dogs or unknown situations. Unlike socializing puppies, your goal must be for the dog to control itself rather than just have fun. Socializing adult dogs is about teaching them restraint and good behavior to prevent outbursts.

Beginning Your Socializing Quest

Keep the new dog in a separate space in your home from the other pets for a few days. Bring them out for a few minutes each day, and then gradually increase this time until you are positive that all your pets are going to co-exist well together. Doing so helps your other pets understand that there is a new family member, so they too will have the opportunity to gradually get used to the idea.

The quest to socialize your adult dog can begin with a simple walk in the park. Your goal is for your dog to control itself and obey you even though there are unfamiliar people, animals and stimuli surrounding them.

As another dog passes by, speak to your dog sternly and calmly to help it control itself. Have a bag of small treats ready to reward your dog every time it shows restraint.

Many dog owners that are trying to socialize their adult dog make the mistake of forcing the dog into uncomfortable situations too fast. A socialized adult dog does not have to greet every dog or person you pass. Forcing them to face another animal can actually make your dog uncomfortable. Your quest is to train your dog to remain calm in social situations and eventually, by slowly being around other dogs more, it may learn to play well.

Taking Care of Issues Quickly

The process of socializing an adult dog won't always go perfectly. The dog may bark, growl, bare its teeth, or even try to snap at other dogs or people passing by. If you notice that your dog is becoming tense, you must take care of these issues quickly. Correct your dog and quickly pull it away from the situation until it calms down again.

As you can see, socializing an older dog is all about slowly introducing him or her to different situations. The best part about this training is that it provides a bonding opportunity as well. Don't wait too long after adopting your older dog to begin the socialization process. The sooner you start, the sooner you can introduce your other pets to your new family member. 

To learn more, contact a pet hospital like Bijou Animal Hospital P.C.