The Social Life of Dogs
By Michelle Posge, DVM
Friday, June 24, 2005
Published in the "Your Pet" column of The Nashua Telegraph.
The column runs on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Dogs socialize differently than humans. If you want evidence of this, just consider the last time you sniffed a stranger’s rear end upon introduction.
However, like humans, dogs are social creatures. They enjoy companionship of both the human and canine variety. They enjoy getting out of the house and seeing new faces--or smelling new tails as the case may be.
Dog parks, doggie day care, and play groups are popular ways of giving dogs exercise in an environment that allows them to run without a leash. But you must consider how well your dog will get along with other dogs in this type of situation.
Just like people, it is easier for some dogs to make friends than it is for others. It is a sad thing for a highly social person to be matched up with a shy, withdrawn dog. When the pair goes to the dog park, the person has a wonderful time while the dog’s stress level reaches dangerously high levels.
A number of factors will influence how your dog will react to another dog. It is often based on the level of socialization or early learning, mood, environmental context, and intensity of the situation. Here are few guidelines to follow when introducing your dog to its fellow species:
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Introduce dogs on neutral territory.
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Introduce dogs without a leash or with the leash dragging behind.
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Remove any prized possessions like bones or special toys to reduce competition.
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Watch for fearful body language: flattened ears, stiffened body, raised hackles, and wide eyes.
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Never force your dog to socialize.
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Teach a reliable off-leash “come” command.
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Wrestling, mouthing, body slamming, and growling are normal in doggie play.
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Some dogs play rougher than others. It helps to match dogs according to their play style and size to avoid problems.
Don’t despair if your dog won’t play well with others. Play dates at the dog park may be out of the question, but most dogs can learn how to behave on leash. Aggression to other dogs is actually quite common and usually stems from an underlying anxiety or fear. Working with a veterinary behaviorist, these dogs can learn to overcome their anxiety and learn new responses to the same situations that were previously associated with aggression.
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