Many fur babies have spent the past few months cooped up inside due to COVID-19. If you adopted your new furry best friend within the past year, it’s possible that they may not have experience meeting other dogs yet!
Now with the proper precautions, it’s time to start introducing your dog to other dogs.
You might be feeling a little stressed about dog socialization and making sure all the pups have the best experience possible. That’s why we’re here to help.
Be sure to keep reading for our guide on the four things to remember when introducing your dog to other dogs.
Find a Neutral Location
If you’re wondering how to introduce dogs, the best way to start is by finding a neutral location. You will want to find somewhere with a fenced-in area that has enough space for the pups to run around. Plus, you don’t want one dog to feel as if they’re backed into a corner.
Sometimes dogs can feel territorial of their own yard and can feel stress when meeting a new dog in their space. That’s why a neutral location is best! You can try a fenced-in park, neighbors yard, or even a large warehouse as a meeting location.
Let Them Off Their Leash
One of the best dog tips for socialization is to let them off their leash when you’re introducing them. If you’re in a neutral location that is fenced in, this shouldn’t be a problem.
You might think that for dog socialization, you would want to keep them on their leashes to easily pull them away. Yet, this can be more harmful than helpful. It makes the interaction unnatural, which will cause your fur babies to feel more stressed.
Start Apart
Introducing a puppy to other dogs can be a bit more stressful because puppies come with a lot of energy. You’ll want to start with both the dogs apart, no matter how young or old they are.
At this point, the pups can be on their leashes so you can gauge how the interaction will go. The closer you get to one another, you’ll notice if they’re wagging their tails or getting excited to meet. Once you feel close enough, you can drop the leash and let the dog or puppy socialization begin.
Gauge the Situation
You know your fur baby the best, which means you will be able to know how well the situation is going. It is normal for dogs to playfully growl or bite at each other, yet you need to observe to see if it is going too far.
One of the best socialization tips if you feel like the meeting isn’t going well, is to calmly and cheerfully call your dogs away from one another. You don’t want to add stress to the situation by yelling or freaking out. Let them take a break and try again if you feel confident.
What You Need to Know When Introducing Your Dog to Other Dogs
It can be fun introducing your dog to other dogs, yet there are a few things you should know. Be sure to use our guide the next time you want to take your fur baby on a playdate so that it can be the best experience ever.
Are you looking for doggy daycare, grooming services, boarding, or rehabilitation? We have everything you and your furry best friend will need! You’ll find us located in Severna Park, MD, and Gambrills, MD, so be sure to reach out to us today, and we can get started.
