What to do if Your Dog Does Not Play Nice with Others

Part of owning a dog is to make sure it is trained—both inside and outside the home. So much focus is put on housebreaking and not chewing on furniture or shoes that people sometimes forget about the need for socialization. Dogs need socialization with both humans and other animals.

The first rule of thumb when getting a dog is to get it used to everything and everyone. This includes babies, children, adults, other dogs and cats. This can be achieved by exposing the dog to people and other animals often. Once they are used to the sights, smells and sounds, their anxiety or animosity will dissipate. But what if you did all of this and your dog still jumps up on people or barks incessantly at every dog that walks by? There is hope.

You must remember that a dog’s natural tendency is to please its owner so as long as you are willing to work with the dog, the dog will try its best to listen to your commands. Some breeds can be more stubborn than others so don’t give up if you do not see any change right away. It takes patience. Don’t assume that socialization needs to stop when the dog is no longer a puppy. It is an ongoing process that should be a constant part of the dog’s life. Dog classes, dog groups and dog parks are excellent places to get your dog comfortable with being around other dogs and people as well. Simply taking your dog for a walk every day is a great way for it to get used to different people and dogs that you may encounter along the way.

But what if you socialized your puppy early on, it worked great and now Spot just can’t go anywhere without going after another dog or growling at people he does not know? Think about any recent changes in your living situation. A new baby, a new house or a new routine can all impact a dog’s behavior and it is not uncommon for a dog to regress when his environment has suddenly changed. The best thing to do is to acclimate the dog before the change is permanent. For couples who are expecting a baby, it is wise to expose the dog to babies and have them get used to their sounds and smells. One way of doing this is to bring home a baby doll (preferably one that makes baby noises), slather it with baby lotions and shampoos and let the dog sniff it and explore it while you hold it. When the real baby comes home, your dog will not be all that excited or anxious around it. And since you have several months to prepare for this, you can take your time.

If you are about to move to a new home, consider taking your dog with you to the new house and let him run around and explore the house, the property and the surrounding neighborhood so it is not too much of a shock for the dog when you finally move. He will be familiar with the new surroundings including the house, the people and the dogs in the area.

It can be frustrating for dog owners to feel that they cannot control their dogs and it can be embarrassing when your dog acts up around others, but with persistence and patience, you will reap the rewards of a well-socialized dog.