 While Dog Socialization is extremely important for puppies, older dogs can benefit from consistent exposure to new faces and places. Here's everything you need to know about it.
Dog Socialization: What Is It?
From the age of three weeks to about 12 weeks, puppies go through a period of being open to socialization, and any positive experiences with people, other dogs, or outside environments will affect forever the way they interact with these things in the future.
Dog socialization means becoming accustomed to different experiences. A socialized dog is confident and comfortable around people and dogs or other animals they don't know. They have learned that strangers aren't anything to fear, and they usually tend to be good-natured and friendly. Many professionals suggest that every puppy experience a training class between the age of four and six months to further aid in Dog Socialization.
 However, socialization isn't important only for puppies. Older dogs, once socialized, shouldn't get into the routine of never seeing or experiencing anything new again. It's a good idea to keep your dog's temperament flexible and open by making sure she gains experience in all kinds of environments and with all kinds of people and creatures. Early socialization skills can be lost if they aren't continually widened or used.
Some experts refer to "juvenile-onset shyness," a condition that can develop in dogs around age four to seven months or even older. If they're cooped up a lot at home, or aren't exposed to new experiences, they can become withdrawn and fearful, even if they were open and friendly as puppies.
Continuing Dog Socialization Tips
Take your dog to a local dog park or neighborhood park on your regular walks. Give her a chance to meet lots of different dogs and people, including children. She'll also see other things like bicycles, wagons, squirrels, playground swings, and lawnmowers in those areas, which will help her to realize they're nothing to fear.
Become friends with other dog owners and bring your dog to their homes for play dates. Letting your dog experience other living environments will keep her flexible and open to new things. And having a buddy to play with never hurts, either!
If you have frequent visitors in your home, give them treats to give your dog so she learns that strangers aren't to be feared or mistrusted.
Expose her to people of all ages, including children, toddlers, and babies. Always supervise your dog around children, until you're sure she's completely comfortable and well-behaved around them.
Keeping your dog active and continually introducing them to new evironments are great ways to maintain dog socialization.
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