Dogs are social animals and most dogs enjoy the company of their peers. Well-socialized canines are also comfortable around people and adapt readily to various situations.
The prime time for developing social skills in puppies is between 3 and 14 weeks of age. During this time, they are the most behaviorally flexible, but also highly sensitive. Introductions to new dogs, as well as to new people and places, must be done carefully to ensure that the puppy is not frightened.
When young puppies are carefully exposed to a wide range of stimuli, they grow up taking many things in stride — they do not get stressed when car horns honk, strange dogs bark, bicycles buzz by, or crowds of people cruise past them.
So how can you help your puppy grow up to become a dog that enjoys socializing with other dogs?
What are puppy parties?
Puppy parties are meant to be just what they sound like: a small gathering of young puppies for the sole purpose of having fun. Typically, there are no more than six puppies per group.
A puppy party gives puppies a chance to learn about the body language of different dogs. Puppies also benefit from practicing some of the play strategies they developed when they were still with their littermates. Many training clubs and even veterinary offices offer puppy parties in addition to more educational classes such as puppy kindergarten.
There are some important guidelines to ensure a successful party. First, these parties are meant for pups still in their sensitive socialization stage but old enough that they have been vaccinated and examined by their veterinarian. Typically, participants should be between 8 and 16 weeks of age. The puppies should always be supervised when they are together.
Next, they should be age matched for size and temperament, or play style. Some young puppies can be easily overwhelmed. If you notice a puppy trying to escape, that puppy should be removed, especially if other puppies continue to pursue it. Remember, for puppies in their sensitive period, frightening events will have a large impact. A worried puppy may benefit more from some positive one-on-one play with just a single, gentle puppy.
Should I take my dog to puppy classes?
A more structured socialization method involves enrolling your puppy in a “kindergarten class” where your puppy learns that there are other dogs in the world, but does not interact with or play with those dogs. This is an important skill, as not all dogs will be your dog’s playmate. A well-socialized dog understands how to lie quietly while you enjoy a meal at a café and can walk past dogs without pulling you to greet everyone. Ask your veterinary hospital about local classes. Be sure that the trainers use only reward-based methods: there should be no scolding or leash corrections happening in a puppy kindergarten. It is school, but it is meant to be fun!
Are there play parties for adult dogs?
Adult dogs that are generally sociable and playful with other dogs might enjoy a party as well. Dogs with a known history of lunging or snapping at other dogs should not attend play parties until they have been evaluated by a behavior professional.
A party can be held in a fenced backyard, as long as the resident dog is not territorial about his property. Most adult dogs play best in pairs, so it is best to limit the group to three pairs. As with puppies, it is imperative to supervise dogs at all times. Adult dogs can quickly injure each other if one becomes frightened or overly excited.
What is a play date?
A play date is a one-on-one play session with two compatible adult dogs or two to three age- and size-matched puppies. Play dates are easier to coordinate than play parties, and can thus be arranged with more regularity. If you have acquaintances with compatible dogs and schedules, you need look no further: you and your pup can both enjoy frequently scheduled visits.
If you do not have a ready source of human/canine friends, there are other ways to find them. Scout your neighborhood for potential playmates. Speak to dog owners you meet while walking your dog or visiting local dog parks. You may find a compatible friend for your dog by accessing one of the many “meet-up” groups online. You can talk to other dog owners online to assess pet compatibility prior to a play date, much like online dating sites.
Should I take my dog go to a dog park?
Dog parks are springing up in cities, small towns, and even rural areas. These parks are usually open to the public and are playgrounds for all sorts of dogs. If you choose to visit a dog park, make sure both you and your dog feel safe. Scout the park before bringing your dog to determine a less busy time of day to visit. Keep your dog on leash until you feel secure about other dogs in the park.
Unlike controlled play groups, you cannot choose your dog’s friends at a public park. Sometimes, people bring dogs that have a known history of showing aggressive behaviors toward other dogs, just hoping the dog will “adjust,” but that can be dangerous to you and your dog. If a dog’s behavior concerns you, or if your own dog repeatedly attempts to retreat or hide, then take her home — a play date would be best.
Should I take my dog to doggy daycare?
Busy families leave the house during the day, as they head to school or work, which means hours of alone time for the family dog. Some social dogs enjoy spending the day playing with canine companions at a doggy daycare facility. You may drop your dog off at day care on the way to work and pick him up on the way home. All dogs are required be current on their vaccinations for communicable diseases. Ask your veterinarian about the standard vaccinations for boarding in your area.
"Some social dogs enjoy spending the day playing
with canine companions at a doggy daycare facility."
Well-run daycare facilities provide supervised play time off leash as well as individual walks and may even offer one-on-one play time with staff. Be sure to inspect the facility; it should be clean and there should be at least one person for every four to six dogs. Dogs should be separated into size and temperament-matched groups for safety. There should be no need for attendants to repeatedly correct dogs or break up confrontations. Ideally, there should be a camera so you can observe your dog and confirm he is enjoying himself, with plenty of play time as well as time to rest in a quiet space.
What is the etiquette when taking my dog to one of these groups?
As in human social settings, there are canine rules of etiquette. Here is a checklist of items that create a good canine social group:
1. Health status verification. Make sure all dogs have updated immunizations for communicable canine diseases transmitted by coughing or close contact. Participating puppies should be up-to-date on the immunizations recommended for their age (a puppy won’t have completed their vaccine series before the ideal age window for socialization ends at 14 weeks). Dogs should also be free of fleas and intestinal parasites. These health checks are difficult to enforce in dog parks, so it may be best to avoid them until your puppy is fully immunized for distemper-parvovirus, rabies, and Bordetella. It is best for female dogs to avoid social groups during their heat cycles.
2. Temperament assessment. Participating dogs should have a history of being friendly and playful with other dogs. Dogs in a group should have compatible temperaments and should recognize and respond appropriately to other dogs’ signals. Brief, low-level signals may occur (e.g., snarls, rolling over, and tall postures), but repeated signals that reflect fear or aggression mean that the dog is not comfortable and may not be safe to remain in the group. Both you and your dog should feel safe.
3. Manners and training. Dogs should respond to their owners’ voice commands and should respect their canine peers, especially when dogs of varying sizes are grouped together.
4. Compatible level of size and physical activity. Energetic dogs enjoy physically active companions. Couch potatoes prefer calmer friends. Find a group compatible with your dog’s level of physical activity. Though some small dogs can play safely with larger ones, this can be dangerous: one slip and the small dog can be seriously injured. Also, if one large dog begins to chase a small dog and that small dog runs, other large dogs may join the chase as a “pack,” which is very dangerous, as now the small dog looks like a prey animal.
5. Hygiene. Be sure to pick up and dispose of animal waste promptly. When visiting friends or attending puppy classes, elimination etiquette is essential, and dog parks are not latrines.
What are the benefits of canine social groups?
Socializing your dog can have several positive benefits. Pet dogs rely on their people to provide all their needs — social, physical, and cognitive. When people get busy, their dogs may spend more time resting and waiting. This lack of activity can be frustrating for the dog and may potentially contribute to undesirable, self-rewarding behaviors and, in some cases, may be associated with weight gain.
Playing with other dogs provides physical activity and mental stimulation for people and dogs alike, and also gives dogs a chance to use all their senses as they investigate new sights, sounds, and smells in the company of other dogs. Instead of investigating the stuffing in your favorite pillow, your dog may need that pillow for a long nap after playing with his canine friends.
