SOCIALISING AND TRAINING YOUR DOG
DOG 14
The first year of a dog’s life makes all the difference to its future temperament and character. Taking the time to socialise your new dog can result in a friendly dog, which enjoys the company of people, can be taken anywhere and lives life to the full.
Socialisation – what is it?
Socialisation is the process by which a dog learns to relate to people, other animals and
its environment. This means meeting and having pleasant encounters with as many
adults, children, dogs (puppies and adults) and other animals as possible. It also
involves becoming used to a wide range of events, places and situations.
The importance of being sociable
When you take on a dog, you are taking on the responsibility to ensure it learns how to be
emotionally well adjusted. Dogs, which have not been socialised, may grow to be fearful of
unfamiliar places and people. Dogs that are well socialised grow to be friendly and happy in
the company of people, new situations and other animals, and make very successful pets.
How do I socialise my dog?
Take your dog out and about as much as possible taking care not to overwhelm it and to keep
it safe. The more situations it learns to cope with, the more confident it will become. Since it
is necessary for pet dogs to enjoy the company of adults and children, take your dog to them
and invite them round to your house
‘Think dog’
All encounters should be pleasant. Keep your new dog happy by giving strangers small tasty
titbits to feed, or by passing them a favourite toy so they can play with your dog. If your new
dog is shy, ask strangers not to stare at it, tower over it or hug it as this may be seen
as threatening.
Watch your dog constantly for signs that it is becoming anxious or overwhelmed, and, if so,
remove it from the situation or give it more space and freedom to approach in its own time.
Meeting other dogs
Your new dog should be carefully introduced to other adult dogs. Ensure these dogs are
‘safe’ to be around, as a bad experience is worse than none at all. Give your dog as much
freedom as possible so it is able to interact with the other dog in a natural way. The more
friendly dogs that your dog meets the more your dog’s social skills will increase.
Cats, livestock and horses
Dogs should meet a variety of other animals, but should be kept under control to prevent
them learning to enjoy chasing.
Environments
Dogs also need to encounter a wide range of different scents, sights and sounds. If you are
socialising your new dog well with humans, familiarisation with different environments
should happen naturally.
Training
As well as socialising, it is essential that your new dog learns to be well behaved. Preventing
bad behaviour and rewarding and praising good behaviour is the key to good manners.
Rewarding good behaviour will increase your dog’s eagerness to please.
Useful training exercises
Sit command
Hold a tasty titbit in front of your dog’s nose so that it becomes interested in the food. When
it is concentrating on the food, slowly raise your hand up and over its head. As it follows the
direction of the food, you will notice your dog will begin to sit. Keep raising the food until it
is in the sit position completely, and then praise it well by giving it the titbit and telling it that
it is a good boy or girl. When your dog is sitting instantly after you raise the titbit, start giving the ‘sit’ command so it learns to associate the word ‘sit’ with the action of sitting.
Coming when called
It is better to start teaching this exercise in a quiet area of your home where there will be few
distractions. When this command becomes more reliable, you can use it in other places.
Start by asking a friend to hold your dog’s collar, while you walk a short distance away.
Crouch down and call your dog to you in a high-pitched excitable tone, and then signal to
your friend to release its collar. As your dog approaches you, open your arms and
encourage it to come straight to you. When your dog reaches you, you can either produce
one of its favourite titbits, or its favourite toy for a short game. Repeat this process and gradually increase the distance over which you call your dog. Soon you will be able to call it to you without asking your friend to hold its collar. Repeat this training until you can successfully call your dog to you even when other things distract it.
Down command
Lure your dog into the ‘sit’ position (as explained above). Once your dog is sitting, start to
slowly and gently lower your hand down to the floor. Place your hand just in between its front
paws. As your dog follows the direction of the titbit with its head, its body will follow into the
‘down’ position. When your dog is in the ‘down’ position completely, praise it well and give
it the titbit. Always remember to give an end command such as ‘OK’ or ‘off you go’ so that your dog knows its training is over.
Important points about socialisation and training
• It involves pleasant encounters with adults, children, other animals and different
environments
• It’s easy, but takes regular effort
• It makes the difference between a fearful dog, which may bite, and a happy outgoing dog,
which enjoys being around people
• Training helps you to have better control of your dog, so that you can ensure that he
behaves well in all situations
• Training and socialising your dog is a fun way to form a trusting relationship
