By socializing your dog, you get the animal used to the correct interaction with other dogs and people, as well as with the environment. For example, some dogs are frightened by the loud spin cycle of the washing machine or feel uncomfortable in city traffic. By socializing your dog, you prevent your four-legged friend from barking frequently or running excitedly towards people, among other things. Socializing a dog requires a training process in which you reward correct behavior with games and fun, while at the same time showing clear boundaries. Through this intensive interaction, you also strengthen the bond between dog and owner.
Ideally, you can socialize your dog when it is a puppy so that it learns the right behavior from scratch, but you can also socialize adult dogs. Simple walks are particularly valuable. Here, your four-legged friend is constantly faced with new situations that he can escape from relatively quickly. In the process, it is important to correctly interpret your dog's body language. Does he arch his back or pin his ears back? Then he probably feels uncomfortable. Perhaps a dog treat will help calm your animal and create a positive association with the situation.
A variety of measures are necessary to socialize dogs. Talk to a dog trainer and ask the animal shelter where you got the dog if there are any known stress reactions. Then you can tackle the socialization of your dog yourself.
