You did it! You’ve made it to the last week of Fenrir’s 12 Week Plan! Over these last three months we’ve covered a variety of topics. You’ve learned all about socialisation, vet visits, and even anxiety. We hope that all of these things have improved your relationship with your dog. Some of these challenges are more difficult than others, but if you ever feel like you need to revisit them, they’re there for you and so are we.
We’ll be shifting focus this week from your relationship with your canine to their relationship with other dogs. We covered socialisation way back in week one and you can consider this a more in-depth guide to socialising your dog with other dogs. Just like you need to expose your dog to many different situations with humans, you need to do the same with dogs.
This can include setting up playdates with friends, going to the dog park, and even checking out places like hiking trails where other owners might take their active pups out to play. It’s important that your dog has their own friends to run and play with from time to time. It’s good for their mental health and it’s a great form of exercise.
So, let’s get into it and see just what it takes to properly socialise your dog with new friends.
Playdate: The First Meeting
There are some things you’ll need to consider when planning your first playdate. Who will be joining you and your dog? A longtime friend with a dog you’re familiar with can be a great place to start. You’ll know the person and the dog your pup will be getting to know ahead of time. You can plan for any issues with anxiety or temperament ahead of time. This can lead to fewer problems over all and decrease the chances of one or both dogs becoming defensive.
Location is another thing to consider when having a playdate. Because some dogs can become defensive if their space is being invaded, neutral ground may be the better option for a first meeting. Neutral ground is anywhere that both dogs don’t “own” the space. Your home is your dog’s space and they may feel the need to protect it from intruders, and your friend’s dog may feel the same. By meeting somewhere like a park or a hiking trail, you avoid that tension from the get go and set your dog up for success.
Don’t forget to let your dog explore and socialise at their own pace. If they’re feeling uncomfortable and need to retreat, that’s okay. You haven’t failed. This is your chance to prove to your dog that the situation isn’t scary. You can always use treats, playtime, or affection as forms of positive reinforcement. It’s also okay to call it quits if the tension gets too high or someone’s dog gets too wound up. You want things to be positive and can always try again later.
Maybe you don’t have any doggy friends to plan a playdate with. That’s okay. We’ll take a look below at some of the best places to socialise and make new friends.
Where to Find Friends
There are many places you can find other dogs to socialise with. Whether you’re working on socialisation with your new puppy or an older dog that you’ve had for a while: we’ve got suggestions for you. We’ll take a look at some great places to socialise and see what things there are to consider about each.
At Home
Your own home or that of a friend can be a great place for a meet up. The location will be quiet and you won’t have to worry about any unexpected commotion. Though, you may need to be careful depending on the temperament of those participating. Some dogs can become defensive if they feel like there is an intruder in their home.
Dog Park
You’ll meet a lot of new potential friends at the dog park. This is a great way to meet other dogs on neutral ground. It gives everyone a clean slate, because the dog park doesn’t belong to anyone in particular. This can ease the tension that may happen if you try to meet a dog in their own home.
One very important thing to keep in mind about socialising at the dog park is its unpredictability. If your dog is just starting out, the dog park may be too much for them. Not all owners are responsible after all and some dogs can get too worked up while playing. It’s also important to make sure your dog is vaccinated and has flea preventatives.
Walking/Hiking
Going for a walk in your neighbourhood or at the local park is a great way to meet new dogs. It may just be a quick sniff, but it still counts. It will help get your dog used to short greetings and it will help them to eventually learn to ignore other dogs on a leash unless given permission to say hello. Once again, it’s on neutral ground which is a huge plus. If you’re more of a nature lover or are very active, you can try hiking instead of just a normal stroll.
Whether it’s a walk or a hike, you can plan a hike with a friend and their own dog. This makes it the opportunity to socialise more than just seeing other dogs in passing. So make sure you consider a playdate next time you’re looking to go out on a stroll. Don’t forget your flea and tick preventative since you’ll be outdoors!
Doggy Daycare
This is a great way to socialise your dog in another neutral environment. Services like this will take your dog out on walks, give them time to play with others, and let them meet new friends both dog and human. They take care of them throughout the day and you don’t have to worry about anything. That makes this a great option for people who work a lot. It can’t replace doing the work yourself, but it can supplement it.
Trained professionals will be watching over them and you’ll be called if anything happens. Though if you plan on using daycare, you’ll need to make sure all of their vaccinations are up to date. It will protect your dog from disease, but it’s also normally a requirement to board for any period of time.
Group Training Sessions
You’ll be able to socialise your dog with a professional at hand. They can offer tips for socialising your dog and are right there to answer any questions. There are a wide variety of training sessions available in group form as well as specific socialisation classes. This is a great option if you’re just starting out or need help finding the next step in the process for you and your dog.
Meeting Etiquette
Now that you know where to find new friends, it’s time to learn how to meet them. You wouldn’t just run up to a random stranger and start trying to play a game of tag with them. Dog’s don’t either. Some are more or less outgoing. Some get anxious easily. It’s best to take it slow and monitor the situation for signs of stress.
Get Permission
You may be out on a walk with your dog and happen past someone else with their dog. We understand that all meetings aren’t planned out. If it’s not a planned meeting, you should get permission before allowing your dog to socialise with a stranger’s dog. You need to remember that not all dogs are friendly and neither are all owners. Getting permission before allowing your dog to greet theirs can help avoid hurt feelings, anxiety for your dogs, and even injury.
The Greeting
Let your dog and their new friend greet one another at their own pace. If they aren’t interested at first or are keeping their distance, that’s okay! There’s no need to force them together if they aren’t ready to greet one another yet. They’ll say hello when and if they’re ready.
It may also be a good idea to have both dogs leashed for their first greeting. This provides control in case anyone gets anxious and lashes out. It’s important to remember to keep a loose lead in these situations. Any tension you put on the leash can make your dog nervous or even pull them into an aggressive gesture by lifting their head and shoulders.
Playtime
If you have a doggy playdate set up, this is an important thing to discuss beforehand. Every dog has their limits and you need to know what to expect going in as does your friend that’s participating. Communication is key.
Perhaps you have a younger dog who likes to roughhouse, but your friend’s dog doesn’t. You can both communicate this ahead of time so you know to recall your dog when they get too wound up from playing. This is also a great time for you both to decide what toys may and may not be a good idea to bring along and share. Some dogs have a favourite toy and they don’t like to share. Or some dogs become too excited while playing and may accidentally start a fight. You can help to avoid this by discussing play beforehand.
However you decide to go about your meeting, communication is key.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of our twelve week plan! We hope you’ve learned a lot with us over the last three months and that your relationship with your dog has improved. If you ever find yourself needing guidance, look back on these twelve weeks and review. It’s never too late to start or try a challenge again to see if you can improve.
We hope you enjoyed this week’s topic and we would love to hear from you. What socialisation tips and tricks do you have for when your dog meets a new dog for the first time? Drop by one of our social media pages and share or share a recent experience you’ve had.