06/05/2026
This, this, this and this 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 As always amazing advice and perspective from The Dog Witch: Whole Health for Healthy Behaviour
For a long time, “socialisation” has been treated as if it means one thing: getting dogs to enjoy meeting and playing with lots of other dogs. But as our understanding of behaviour deepens, we’re beginning to see socialisation in a much more nuanced, compassionate way. It isn’t about creating a dog who loves everyone. It’s about helping each dog feel safe, supported, and able to move through the world in a way that suits who they truly are.
Just like us, dogs sit on a social spectrum. Some people thrive in busy crowds, others feel overwhelmed. Some love long conversations, others enjoy company but need plenty of quiet time afterwards. I’m extremely social myself, I love chatting and being around people, but even then, it depends on the person, the day, and what else is going on in my life. I can enjoy most people in small doses, but only a handful of people feel comfortable for long stretches. And I need a lot of alone time to recharge. None of that makes me unsocial; it just makes me human.
Our dogs are no different. Some adore the chaos of dog parks, while others prefer gentle parallel walks or simply watching the world from a safe distance. Some enjoy play when they’re young but become more selective as they mature. Some are confident one day and need space the next. Social preferences shift with age, health, experiences, and emotional state, for them and for us.
In our recent chat with canine behaviourist Sally Lewis we explored what socialisation looks like for older dogs. It’s far less about exposure and far more about processing, choice, and personal preference. Older dogs don’t need to be pushed into interactions to “catch up”. They need time to observe, space to think, and the freedom to decide what feels right for them. One calm, positive moment is far more valuable than a dozen forced encounters.
Healthy socialisation isn’t a checklist. It’s a lifelong process of helping your dog feel secure in their world. It’s noticing what lights them up, what drains them, what they find easy, and what they find overwhelming. It’s respecting their individuality rather than trying to mould them into a one‑size‑fits‑all idea of a “social dog”.
And you don’t have to figure this out alone. That’s why this community exists, to share experiences, ask questions, and support each other as we learn. Every dog is unique. Every guardian is learning. And together, we can create a kinder, more realistic understanding of what socialisation truly means.
