Socializing an Older Dog: A Guide
A newborn puppy is usually socialized in their first year when they're more sensitive, open, and receptive to new experiences and environments. It's important to get dogs associated with other animals and humans during their initial years so they can learn how to behave around other pets and develop a good relationship with their owners.
However, if you have an older dog who wasn’t socialized at a young age, don’t worry. Here are some tips to help train your furry animal.
Invite Your Friends and Family Over to Your House
Dogs need frequent interactions with humans, so a good idea for socializing an adult dog is to host a small, socially distanced gathering at your home. Invite some friends and relatives where your dog is comfortable and let your furry partner interact with other humans.
Instruct your guests not to crowd your dog, instead allow your furry friend to make the first move and approach people on their own. Ensure that you develop a friendly, positive, and relaxed environment, so your pet feels safe and comfortable with strangers around.
Take Daily Walks with Your Dog
Another great way for socializing adult dogs is to take them for daily walks around the block or in a park where they can experience new sounds, sights, smells and see how other humans and their animals interact with each other.
A dog park is an excellent place for your dog to socialize with other pets, but this can be overwhelming for them. During your walks, stay calm and controlled in every situation and respond to your dog's fear, anxiety, or over-excitedness in an easy or relaxed manner. If you see your pet getting uncomfortable in a situation, simply turn them around and remove them from that location so they can be more at ease.
Develop A Routine and Be Patient
A dog in their older years will struggle to socialize with others as every experience is new for them, and they might get easily scared or anxious. These negative feelings can sometimes come out in aggressive ways, such as barking at strangers, growling and refusing to eat or drink.
The key is to practice patience with your pet and keep them comfortable in a familiar environment. Develop a routine that includes regular feeding times, set times for exercise such as daily walks and scheduled playtimes so your dog gets used to a pattern and feels more secure and at home.
If you’re too busy to take your pet on daily walks, contact Bark Industries. We’re a pet sitting service in Chicago, and we have professional dog walkers who will take your pet on daily walks of 20 to 50 minutes at affordable prices. Contact us today to find out more about our pet care services in Chicago.