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Socialization is essential when it comes to providing your dog with all the necessary things he needs, such as food, water, shelter, and love. As humans, we tend to want to protect our dogs from experiences or people that may cause stress or psychological harm, especially if our dogs are not responding happily. However, all dogs need to be socialized properly throughout their lives so they can become well-adjusted and happy creatures.

A dog that is poorly socialized can experience many behavioral and psychological problems. I see the 'dog-aggressive' or 'fearful' dog every day in my practice. These behaviors can all be related to lack of socialization as a puppy. It is very common for a dog who has lacked experiences around loud noises, for example, to be afraid of thunder or fire trucks. A dog who doesn't have the opportunity to play around other dogs as a puppy may develop fear aggression around other dogs. A dominant puppy who isn't taught by to behave like a dog by other dogs may develop dominance aggression or become a bully. A dog who isn't exposed to strangers may become a fear biter when provoked. All in all, there are many potential behavior problems that could occur- it just depends on the dog's temperament and the environment in which he is raised in. The key is to begin early, and socialize your dog appropriately and without force.

What is socialization?

Socialization is the process of introducing your dog to new stimuli in order to get him acclimated to strange sounds, smells, people, dogs, and environments. This will help to build his confidence, but also prevent any behavior problems from developing as a result of poor socialization, such as fear aggression, submissive urination, or separation anxiety. Socialization should begin as soon as you get your puppy. Introduce them to sights and sounds around your house before taking them out into the world. Be careful, too, that you don't jeopardize his health by bringing him to a public place before he has his all of his puppy shots. Your puppy could contract the parvo-virus if you're not careful. This said, begin socializing as soon as you get approval from your vet, and have fun!

How can I socialize my dog?

The process of socializing your dog should begin when he is a puppy. However, that isn't always possible because dogs are adopted as adults from rescue organizations. It is important not to force a fearful dog into a situation in which he will become more frightened. Begin gradually and let your dog tell you what he can endure. As you take him for walks, praise him when he passes another dog without incident. When you are at the park, praise him when he is calm as the rollerblader rolls by. In the car, be sure to reward relaxed, un-anxious behavior as you drive in a crowded parking lot.

One of the best ways to socialize a young dog is to enroll him in doggie daycare. Daycare can provide a wonderful opportunity to expand your dog's horizons and allow them to learn from other dogs and people. If the doggie daycare has well-trained, experienced, and non-threatening staff, your dog could blossom in the positive environment. Aggressive dogs would not be allowed into daycare immediately; however, with proper training and desensitization, it could happen someday. Daycare can also be useful for the fearful or shy dog, too. Playing with other dogs and people during the day is a very functional way to help your dog come out of his shell.

An example of a doggie daycare center is City Bark. The staff have all been educated in socializing dogs and making sure they learn appropriate behavior skills. Their goal is to send the dogs home better behaved than when they arrived. All dogs are separated into play groups according to temperament, not size. This is very important when there are many dogs playing together. They also have a puppy group for the younger dogs. All dogs are allowed to socialize freely and their appropriate behavior is rewarded with play and lots of affection. Because the dog-to-staff ratio is so low, all dogs are watched closely and proper socialization is encouraged. I would highly recommend a daycare facility such as City Bark to help in the socialization process- both for puppies (ages 12 weeks and older) and adults.

What can poor socialization lead to?

Overall, there are many instances of behavior problems that could develop from lack of socialization, but the good news is that they are preventable. If you take extra precautions to provide your dog with enough positive stimuli, the chance of developing a fear- or aggression-related behavior problem is slim.

When socializing your dog, follow these guidelines:

•  Do not touch or talk soothingly to a frightened dog, because this will only reinforce the behavior. It is far more important to ignore your dog if he is behaving shyly or trying to go under a chair or behind your legs. When your dog stops hiding, or begins to act more confident, praise and treat

•  Do not pick up your small puppy or dog if he is afraid. This would only reinforce his fearful behavior. Your dog needs to learn that he can take care of himself. Plus, do you really want to be picking your dog up when he's 100 pounds? Now is the best time for your dog to learn so keeping him on the floor and encouraging confident behavior is the key. Use a happy voice and treats if possible.

•  Do not drag your dog near what they are afraid of or force them to move toward it in any way. It is best to let your dog investigate and go near the object of fear on his own time. It is always a good idea to lure him with treats, and let him know in a happy voice that the object is okay. You may also try feeding him around the object or sound. However, don't try to soothe him if he shows fear or anxious behavior. Most of all, make it fun!

•  Expose your dog to as many situations as possible. Take him to the vet only to get a treat and then take him home. Make the trip to the vet fun! Bring him to the dog park or pet store and encourage a relaxed behavior while you avoid 'babying' him. Make every experience positive and your dog will begin to enjoy them.