Socialising Your Dog the Right Way
Socialising your dog is one of the best things you can do to set them up for a happy life. A well-socialised dog is usually more confident, relaxed, and easier to live with. But here’s the thing—socialising doesn’t mean your dog has to say hello to every single dog they meet. In fact, sometimes less is more!
Not Every Dog Needs a Handshake (or a Nose Bump)
Imagine if we had to greet every person we passed on the street—it would get exhausting pretty quickly! Dogs feel the same way. While some are super social, others are perfectly happy just walking by without stopping. Teaching your dog that it’s okay to calmly pass another dog without charging over for a sniff is actually a huge part of socialisation. It helps them learn good manners, keeps walks stress-free, and stops bad habits like pulling or over-excitement.
Using Treats to Build Positive Associations
One of the best tools you can use during socialisation is food—especially natural, tasty treats that your dog loves. When you reward your pup for calm behaviour around other dogs, people, or new environments, you’re helping them build positive associations. For example, if your dog calmly walks past another dog without lunging or barking, reward them with a small treat. Over time, they’ll learn that good choices lead to tasty rewards, which makes training not only effective but also fun!
Being a Responsible Dog Owner
It’s also important to remember that not every dog wants to be approached. Some may be nervous, older, recovering from injury, or even working through reactivity issues. Even if your dog is the friendliest pup in the park, rushing up to another dog uninvited can cause a lot of stress—or worse, a scuffle. The kindest and safest thing you can do is ask the other owner before letting your dog say hello, and respect the answer. Sometimes a polite wave and a smile is all that’s needed!
Building Positive Experiences
Good socialisation is about giving your dog plenty of positive experiences—whether that’s meeting a trusted doggy friend, sitting calmly at a café, or just watching the world go by without having to join in. By focusing on quality interactions rather than quantity, you’ll help your dog grow into a confident, happy companion who can handle whatever life throws their way.
At the end of the day, socialisation isn’t about collecting as many “hellos” as possible—it’s about teaching your dog how to feel calm and comfortable in the world around them. And that’s something both you and your pup will enjoy every single day.
