07/02/2023
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=646545527472728&id=100063518584230
Repost.....but again a very important message.
Socialisation is so much more than we realise.
Socialisation is NOT play.
Play is play.
Socialisation is very misunderstood......Enjoy the post.
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Neutral
A great aim.
I realise this is going to be highly controversial for people that DO have a very social dog...but believe me you are in the minority.
Your dog does NOT need to stop, sniff and meet other dogs when out walking.
Your dog does not need to interact with dogs they do not know.
Dogs do not need to meet other dogs and play at a park.
Dogs do not need to have other dogs invade their space to "sniff each other"........They smelt them half way down the road.
This is also society's fault for perpetuating this myth that ALL dogs must be social and get on with ALL other dogs.
They do not....and for the MAJORITY of dogs they NEVER will.
In fact it is damaging to a dog to expect them to interact with all other dogs.
Neutral is a great aim.
Indifference is great !!!!
Expecting interactions can affect many dogs negatively and is a definite causation of reactivity in dogs. Many highly anxious dogs are encouraged to "play" and meet other dogs.
Your dogs body language may be screaming they are deeply uncomfortable....yet often it is ignored as dogs "should socialise with other dogs".
I am not talking about puppies here as they are usually all social (and should be heavily socialised when young)....this is purely aimed at dogs (though some from 5- 6 months onward). Every dog falls into the social spectrum and the actual number of adult dogs that are TRULY dog social is TINY (around 10 %) ....and if you do have a truly social dog this concept can be difficult to comprehend.
10 % of all dogs are truly social. They enjoy most dogs company.
40 % of all dogs are dog selective. They may only like their own breed, small white dogs, large female dogs etc.
40 % of all dogs are tolerant. They tolerate most dogs but choose only to interact with a select few.
10 % of all dogs are anti ALL dogs (apart from perhaps another family dog).
Credit to Augusta Grayson.
Where does your dog sit ?
Of course this is an approximate percentage and I encourage you to look up the dog sociability spectrum to see where your dog sits.
This is why being neutral when seeing other dogs should be the goal....not interacting, not sniffing and certainly not accepting every other dog in your dogs space. Accepting that there are other dogs in the world....and that they do NOT have to meet every other dog....and they certainly don't need to meet them in a hyper aroused state.
Dogs naturally become FAR less social as they age. Yet people expect them to friendly to every dog they meet....and for the other dog to be friendly back.
Disinterest/neutrality when other dogs are around can save everyone from SO many issues. Advocate for your dog, you will enhance your bond because your dog can start trusting your decisions more.
Advocate for your dog, stop encouraging your dog that is deeply uncomfortable and barking to calm down and play with their new "friend".
Neutrality is true socialisation.
