07/06/2026
This great visual is possibly one of the best I've seen!
Dog sociability is one of the most misunderstood aspects of raising a dog.
Many owners believe that a "good" dog should love every dog they meet. If their dog doesn't want to greet every dog at the park, play with every puppy, or happily interact with unfamiliar dogs, something must be wrong.
The science tells us otherwise.
Just as humans vary in their social preferences, so do dogs. Behavioural research consistently shows that sociality exists on a spectrum. Some dogs genuinely enjoy interacting with many dogs. Some prefer a small circle of familiar friends. Others are neutral and would rather focus on their owner, environment, or activity than socialise.
All of these can be perfectly normal.
In fact, truly "dog social" dogs are often the minority. We simply notice them more because they are the dogs most likely to attend dog parks, daycare, group walks, sporting events, and other highly social environments.
The majority of dogs are better described as "dog selective."
They may enjoy the company of certain dogs while disliking others.
They may prefer calm, polite adult dogs over boisterous puppies.
They may enjoy brief interactions but have little interest in extended play.
They may simply choose not to engage at all.
None of this is a behavioural problem.
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is confusing socialisation with social interaction.
Socialisation is not about forcing a puppy to meet every dog it encounters.
Socialisation is the process of teaching a puppy to feel safe, confident, and neutral in the presence of the world around them.
A well-socialised dog does not need to greet every dog.
A well-socialised dog can calmly observe another dog and move on.
In fact, that is often a far more valuable skill.
This is one reason I am extremely cautious about dog-to-dog interactions during puppyhood and adolescence.
Between social maturity and physical maturity, many dogs undergo significant behavioural changes. A puppy that happily greets every dog at six months may become far more selective at two or three years of age as adult social preferences emerge.
This is normal development, not a failure of socialisation.
Unfortunately, repeated negative interactions during these formative years can have lasting consequences. A single frightening experience can sometimes have a greater behavioural impact than dozens of positive ones.
That is why quality matters far more than quantity.
A handful of positive experiences with stable, socially appropriate dogs is worth far more than endless interactions with random dogs.
As owners, our role is not to make our dogs love everyone.
Our role is to advocate for them.
To recognise when they are uncomfortable.
To respect their preferences.
To prevent unwanted interactions.
To ensure they feel safe.
To understand that confidence and sociability are not the same thing.
A confident dog is not necessarily a social butterfly.
A confident dog is one that can navigate the world without fear, regardless of whether they choose to make friends along the way.
Let your dog decide if they want to be social and with which dog(s).
You get to choose your friends, right? 😉
Be your dog's advocate.
- Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies.
www.emeraldparkbc.com
"Making life better
- through understanding dogs!"
