Let’s talk about socialization – seriously, do it

The Oxford English dictionary defines socialization (noun) as:

1.    The activity of mixing socially with others. 
“socialization with students has helped her communication skills”

2.    The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.
“preschool starts the process of socialization”

Why is it SO important for dogs? 

Dogs have norms and socially acceptable behavior in both the human world and the canine world.

Dog inevitably learn the expectations of their two-legged companions. By being constantly around us, they learn.

So how do they learn the norms in the canine world? It’s on the humans to introduce them to other dogs. 

A lot of dogs live as the only dog in a household of humans. They do not inherently know how to interact with other dogs, especially if they’ve been kept away from them. 

When dogs are not properly socialized, they can become fearful or aggressive towards other dogs. Not great if you want to bring your favorite companion with you places outside your home. 

When do you need to start socializing them? As soon as you safely can do so. It’s easiest with puppies who are learning the world. 

It’s easier to learn good behavior than to unlearn bad behavior (that’s not just a dog thing either). 

We’ve come across many owners that have to distract their dog while you pass. That shake their head sadly because their dog cannot interact with Pinot. I respect and am grateful that they know this about their dog. 

Yes, Pinot goes a bit crazy when she sees other dogs. She loves them, she wants to give dogs we pass on the street kisses on their snout (it’s as adorable as it sounds) and romp around with them in the grass by the road. 

Often, she’s too excited for an older dog and I find myself reminding her that she, “needs to play hard to get if she wants to make more friends.” 

But I love that she’s so loving, and we’re working on a calmer approach. 

I always ask the corresponding human if their dog is friendly and tell them that Pinot is still a puppy, and therefore, has puppy energy. 

Pinot is still learning how to communicate with other dogs, but I can see the progress. I can see how now she’ll take a big sniff and pounce down into a bow. She’s literally asking to play.

She doesn’t always listen to their answer, but she’s getting better. And with each interaction, she learns more. 

Pinot is also always on a leash in public so I can pull her away if she isn’t being receptive to the other dog’s signals. 

Often when we’re hiking we come across dogs unleashed. 8/10 it’s fine, the dog is calm, and Pinot is the excited one. But those other times do not feel safe. 

Please, please, please leash your dog when walking on a public trail (or keep a leash handy you can quickly put on). You literally will never be able to be 100% confident in how your dog will respond to a new dog. Or how that dog will respond to yours. No matter how much you have socialized them.

The dynamic between dogs’ is different when one is off-leash and the other is on-leash. 

And you have to consider the owner on the other side of the leash; I have literally been knocked over because another dog came bounding at Pinot and she jumped away in fear, into me.

I’ve had many interactions where the owner is seemly unaware that someone else (and their dog) might not want their unleashed dog jumping all over their leashed dog and themselves. And then their dog will not “come” to them when I try to walk away and instead follows us, continuing to try to play. Usually not in a very friendly way.

I want Pinot to interact with dogs; I want to socialize her and let her play. But I want to feel safe in those interactions. 

When both dogs are off-leash and in a safe area, it’s amazing to watch them interact. 

Pinot’s best friend is an 80-pound English Cream Golden Retriever. Watching the two of them, black and white, large and small, chase each other around the yard brings as much joy to me and my friend as it does for them. Okay probably not as much joy, but close. 

They crash into the tall grasses, leap over lawn chairs. Pinot jumping on the chair to gain a brief height advantage. Luna running into the pool (when it was still open) when she needed a break. 

Luna’s older sister, Charlotte (called Charlie), rarely wants to play with Pinot. But Pinot double-checks every time she passes her. Sometimes giving her a quick (usually unwanted) kiss. Charlie is over having a puppy around; she dealt with Luna. But every once in awhile, she’ll bound forward showing that she’s actually fastest of all three. 

It’s a bit of a dance whenever they’re all together. Pinot and Luna constantly playing, Charlie sticking to a human’s side waiting for the puppy to grow up. 

After all, Pinot is still in “preschool.”