Socialization Tips for Older Dogs

The best time to socialize dogs is when they are puppies. Right from the get-go, you want to take your puppy out and about to interact with other dogs and humans and learn the right behaviors in order to do so. However, for many reasons, your adult dog may not have been socialized. Don’t fret! There’s still hope. Here are some valuable dog training techniques from Speak Dog!.

Go On Daily Walks

Not only is walking great exercise for you and your dog, but getting outside will teach your dog about the world around them. While dogs can be perfectly happy within their four walls with you by their side, taking your dog out (and socializing them) will add a whole new dimension to their world that they may enjoy and look forward to.

Daily walks will make the world less scary, which is one big reason why dogs bark and snap. It will teach them about cars, people, noises, and buildings. You’ll have lots of socialization opportunities in which to enact Speak Dog!’s tips with other dogs and humans. Plus, by taking your dog on a walk, they will burn up pent-up energy they’ve had all day long, which is especially important if you have a high-energy dog breed, such as a Golden Retriever.

While walking your dog (which Speak Dog!™ can offer valuable dog training techniques as well) and training another skill such as socialization, it can be hard to remember all of your training lessons. You may accidentally yell at your dog or pull back on the leash. You want walking your dog and interacting with the world to be positive for them, not negative. Also, have treats with you to reward your dog when they do have a great social interaction. In the beginning, every interaction is a training opportunity, so praise your dog often when appropriate. Remember to be calm, which your dog will read from you as well and have fun.

Take Small Steps

Depending on your adult dog’s background, socialization takes time. While you may be eager to take your dog with you to the beach all day, your dog may not be ready for such stimulation. Like humans, dogs get weary, and let’s face it, being social is work! For instance, at the end of the day, a puppy may want to play with your older dog. Your older dog may want nothing to do with the puppy, so they snap at the puppy. It’s best to expose your dog to small social interaction opportunities and then gradually increase the time they spend outdoors with others. If your dog is skittish for other reasons, such as they were abused as a puppy, reach out to Speak Dog!™ for expert help and advice. We can help you overcome those fears your dog has developed through our dog obedience training so that your dog can become a social butterfly by your side.

Enroll in Dog Classes

Many people think dog classes are just for puppies. This is definitely not the case. Your dog never stops learning (yes, an old dog can learn new tricks), and dog classes offer a great controlled environment for your dog to learn in. Dog classes are led by trained instructors who facilitate the class and can help your dog individually with certain skills they need to work on. You will have lots of social opportunities, and you’ll have immediate corrections as well. Some places may even offer classes specifically for older dogs, so check your area to find out more.

However, some people just aren’t comfortable going to a dog class, or it’s far away from where they live. Speak Dog!™ offers a dog training curriculum that will teach you to interact with your dog on their level as the communicative leader. We will teach you how to tap into your dog’s natural state driven by instinct to get the dog behavior you desire. Sign up today!

Visit a Dog Park

If you are looking for opportunities for your dog to meet other dogs, there’s no better place than the dog park — a place designed for dogs! If you’ve never taken your dog to the dog park before, you’ll want to keep it brief — 30 minutes or so. This is enough time for your dog to observe other dogs, interact, and see what a dog park is all about. Start by walking your dog around the outside of the dog park so as not to overwhelm them. Then, when you’re ready, venture in. You can have your dog by your side on a leash here. This will give you the opportunity to help control interactions when other dogs come up to your dog and to gauge where your dog is at in terms of training. While you can let your dog go run willy-nilly off-leash, you should wait until your dog is ready for this. By incorporating Speak Dog!’s Seven Sacred Ways, you’ll be able to know when that time is.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Speak Dog!’s last time is practice, coupled with patience. You shouldn’t expect your dog’s behavior to change overnight. After all, they didn’t learn the undesired behavior overnight. It will probably take some time for your dog to unlearn past behaviors and replace them with desired behaviors, which is why practice is so important. 

Just like it took practice for you to learn to walk, your dog will need to learn the behavior you desire, which is why investing in Speak Dog!’s curriculum is so valuable. Once you lay the basis with our Introductory dog behavior course, you can subscribe to our future Speak Dog!™ curriculum that will offer you opportunities for on-going communication and learning skills for your dog. You will continuously be receiving a new dog training curriculum. Many people love this aspect of Speak Dog!™ because it keeps them accountable. With life being so busy, sometimes you forget to practice with your dog. However, a dog training video that arrives in your inbox will serve as a great reminder that with practice, your dog will be equipped to go with you anywhere.

Choose Speak Dog! Today for All of Your Dog Behavior Training Needs

Speak Dog!™ is a wonderful dog training curriculum developed by Steve Lankfer to help you learn to be the leader your dog needs. We will teach you how to interact with your dog on their level through the Seven Sacred Ways. You’ll become fluent in speaking your dog’s language, and you’ll learn how to use your dog’s innate behavior to develop the dog behavior you desire. You’ll build a wonderful and powerful relationship built on trust and obedience. Our dog training curriculum offers 100% obedience 100% of the time.

From teaching your dog dining etiquette to coming when called and socialization, Speak Dog! is a gentle dog training you will love. Visit our site, watch some invaluable dog training videos, and become a member with Speak Dog!™ today.