How to refresh your dog’s socialisation training

Good socialisation is a critical part of your dog’s physical and mental wellbeing. It’s also a vital part of building a healthy bond between you and your pet. That means it’s crucial to start socialising your puppy from around eight weeks old.

Socialisation is an ongoing process, which means it’s natural your older dog’s social skills might sometimes slip over time.

If you notice them becoming anxious or reactive in certain situations, for example meeting new people or dogs, it could be a sign that you need to spend some time refreshing their socialisation training. 

The most impressionable age for a puppy – and when their temperament is mainly formed – is between five and 12 weeks old. For some dogs, this can extend up to 16 weeks. Socialising your puppy within this period helps them become confident, friendly and well-rounded.

Puppies who aren’t taught to approach a range of people, situations or objects confidently during those first 12 weeks may become cautious when faced with new situations, something that can continue into adulthood.

• Meeting new people: Allowing your puppy to meet different people helps them become confident in a range of social situations. You may find friends and neighbours are keen to meet your new pet, which is the perfect opportunity for socialisation training.
• Experiencing new environments: Try taking them on short car rides and to visit places such as town centres, train stations, the beach, friends’ houses and anywhere else you plan on taking your puppy when they’re older. Make sure they have a well-fitting harness and give them plenty of reassurance during these excursions. Keep the harness short so your puppy doesn’t get overstimulated.
• Hearing new sounds: Make sure your puppy is comfortable with the sounds of everyday life, for example, hearing the doorbell, washing machine and children playing. Try playing recordings of other sounds such as traffic, fireworks and other dogs’ barking. Watch your puppy’s reactions and reward them when they stay calm.

• Puppy classes: These are a great way to socialise your puppy and work on their training. Try to visit the class beforehand to check it’s well-run.
• Meeting older dogs: In addition to puppy training, it’s a good idea to introduce your puppy to older dogs. This should be done in a controlled environment, as negative meetings may have a detrimental effect. Consider asking friends with dogs if you can meet in the park or see if any local dog walkers want to join you for a short walk.

Remember that your puppy is an individual, so it’s important to tailor their socialisation to their breed and personality. Always speak to a qualified trainer if you need additional support.

Dogs with poor social skills may be fearful or reactive in unfamiliar situations or around strangers and other dogs. They may become stressed, bark loudly in alarm, growl or show their teeth.

Well-socialised dogs – those with good etiquette – feel comfortable when exposed to the sights, sounds and smells of everyday life. They’re confident in the company of other dogs and engage in natural behaviours like sniffing, playing, chasing and friendly barking. They’re also comfortable in a range of situations, from meeting all kinds of people to seeing other animals such as horses and cats. While they may have a few triggers, such as fireworks, well-socialised dogs are generally calm, relaxed and confident.

It’s normal for a dog’s training to slip over time, especially if you’re not practising every day. As dogs reach different life stages, they sometimes need some extra positive reinforcement to help them understand how to behave. For instance, older dogs may have stiff joints that make them less enthusiastic about energetic play sessions with younger dogs, causing them to act out of character and lash out.

Changes in your dog’s behaviour can also be due to traumatic events. If they had a bad experience in the dog park or were attacked by another dog, this could make them feel wary and fearful. Whatever the reason, there’s a lot you can do to help your dog feel more comfortable.

If your older dog is now struggling with certain environments, be patient with them. Take them to somewhere local and quiet, like the park or a friend’s house, and watch for opportunities to reward their behaviour rather than punish.

Once they seem comfortable, add other locations like the beach, town centre, or a busy dog park. Slowly introduce new experiences to your dog, and only introduce any new places when they are fully comfortable and confident in the locations you’ve already visited.

If your dog is reactive to specific sounds like the doorbell or fireworks, try playing recordings of these at a very low volume to help them acclimatise. Give your dog plenty of rewards when they’re calm and quiet. Then increase the volume and repeat the process.

If your dog is particularly reactive and you’re not sure how to proceed, it’s best to speak to a qualified trainer for advice. If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also use the expert chat feature in My Petplan to ask any questions directly to a professional.