OVERVIEW

The most important focus for socializing your new puppy to other dogs is teaching it:​

• How to feel calm, neutral, and safe in the presence of other dogs

• How to listen to other dogs' social cues for space

• Confidence interacting with other dogs 

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DOG-TO-DOG PLAY 

Dog to dog play is a critical component of socialization, so it is very important for dog owners to know how to read safe, emotionally well-regulated healthy play, versus play that is manic or bullying. ​

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Here's a few videos on what play should and should not look like and how to pair play partners:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bk2n0oWQYw​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB4JmAskNl4&t=6s

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Overarousal can lead to misunderstandings, and not all dogs communicate well. We have to be ready to intervene when a dog ignores or misses another dog’s signal that it doesn’t welcome an interaction or type of play move. This article provides a few useful pointers.

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Be sure to watch this video in the “Consent” page on healthy dog play, and read the Whole Dog Journal article below, why discusses steps in socializing your puppy to other dogs even before the full vaccination series is completed with appropriate health precautions and why it is critical.

 

Play sessions should be kept short, up to 15 minutes, with treat breaks every 2-3 minutes to keep arousal levels calm and test whether each dog is consenting to resumed play. If you allow puppies to exhaust themselves playing, you risk dysregulating your puppy’s nervous system and creating an inability to relax around other dogs. If one puppy seems more avid, put it on a leash and see if the shyer puppy willingly returns to it for play before removing the leash from the restrained dog.

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DOG PARKS AND DOGGY DAY CARE

​It is natural to think dog parks are a place for socialization, however, it is generally best to avoid them. Fights and misunderstandings can easily happen, causing permanent physical and/or psychological damage. Rough play between unequal sized dogs can damage a puppy permanently from injuries to puppies’ soft growth plates up to 18 months of age. If a misunderstanding or bullying breaks out, a fight can cause permanent psychological damage, not to mention a stressful visit to the vet.

 

Doggy day cares pose similar risks and should be very carefully selected if you need to use one. Handlers should be skilled at pairing playmates, and no more than 6 dogs (and fewer is better) should be in a play session together per handler. Other dogs in the facility should be resting in a crate, kennel, or pen while waiting their turns for play sessions. Puppies (or adult dogs) should not be allowed to run around and play all day, as that will spike their adrenaline and cortisol levels, risking creating a wired dog that is physically addicted to hyperactivity and cannot settle around other dogs.

 

A better approach to socialization is to find appropriate playmates, have supervised socialization sessions, and have most of your puppy’s engagement and stimulation, including with other dogs, go through you. If you are not able to socialize your puppy with other puppies yourself, explore finding a high-quality place or trainer to arrange healthy socialization sessions. When you are away from home for an extended period of time, you can schedule play and walk visits with a caretaker instead of relying on daycare.

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