The key to your dog interacting with other dogs, or socialisation, is familiarity and experience. You should expose your dog to as many positive experiences, with as many different people, places and animals as you can.
Is your dog calm, confident and controllable when interacting with other dogs or people? Some dogs display curious personality quirks. They're afraid of people wearing gloves or men with beards. Some bark ferociously when they see another dog or are terrified to get into a car.
Socialisation aims to correct this behaviour in dogs. It's a process that should begin when a dog is young but continue throughout adult life. Even a dog that has been adopted as an adult can benefit from socialisation training.
Familiarity breeds success
The key to socialisation is familiarity and experience. You want to expose your dog to as many positive experiences, with as many different people, places and animals as you can.
Simple repeated exposure is not enough, the experience your dog has while in these new situations must be positive. So, inviting a friend's children over to let your dog get used to them won't be helpful if they pinch and poke or frighten.
Catch them young
Tasty Tips
When your dog is still young, training school and puppy parties in your home and vet clinic are a fantastic opportunity for your dog to become friends with other dogs. Resist the temptation to coddle nervous dogs or reprimand overly rowdy ones. Dogs are social animals and need to learn about interacting with each other, not surprisingly, the best way to do this is through interacting!
Let them meet people of all shapes, sizes and ages and have some treats ready to help reward good behaviour. Remember to never leave your dog alone with toddlers or infants. Very young children might hurt or frighten them without meaning to and if your dog is startled or feels uncomfortable they might turn on them.
Change the route of daily walks and take your dog places they are unused to. The more they experience, the more comfortable they will be in out of the ordinary situations.
Professional help
If your dog is displaying aggressive behaviour, don't hesitate to look for professional help. An aggressive reaction isn't necessarily the sign of a bad dog but it needs to be addressed quickly. Talk to your vet, who will be able to recommend a behaviour specialist.
Related products
Senior Vitality Small & Mini Mature Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Senior Vitality Small & Mini Breed Dog Food with Chicken. Our breakthrough formula helps promote your senior dog's everyday ability to get up & go.
Puppy Food
Hill's Science Plan Puppy Wet Dog Food with Chicken is a complete premium pet food for growing puppies from weaning until 1 year old and for pregnant and nursing dogs. This deliciously smooth minced chicken loaf is precisely balanced to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support the needs of growing puppies.
Hypoallergenic Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Hypoallergenic Adult Wet Dog Food with Salmon is a complete premium pet food for all adult dogs from 1 year. This savoury tinned loaf is specially formulated for dogs with delicate skin and stomachs. It features a single novel animal protein source and is grain-free.
Adult Light Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Light Adult Wet Dog Food is a complete premium pet food for adult dogs that tend to gain weight easily. This deliciously smooth loaf is formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support weight maintenance in adult dogs.
Related articles
Does My Dog Like to be Petted?
Does your dog really like to be petted? Learn the best spots to pet a dog, especially for new puppy owners, as well as areas to avoid when petting.
What Your Dog is Trying to Tell You
Words may be important for humans to communicate, but canines communicate by dog body language and sounds. Learn how to figure out your pup's signals.
My Dog Is Not Affectionate Toward Me — Help!
Much like humans, not all dogs show affection the same way. While some dogs may not be as outgoing as others, learn how you can still form a loving bond.
Should You Allow a Dog to Give You Kisses?
Wondering if dog kisses are safe for you & your family? Learn the facts about how clean your dog's mouth is and when you can enjoy a smooch from your pup.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.