04/05/2026
Too often when I ask a client how they socialized their dog I hear one, if not both, of these 2 main themes 1- they have had people come over and hold and touch their pup, 2 - they have friends who have dogs and they let them play together. Both answers are NOT socialization. This author has written a good piece about that misunderstanding /
It doesn’t mean playing.
It never did.
“Socialisation” has a lot to answer for.
It has a far more important meaning, and it’s often missed because of that one word.
It’s not all about interactions with other puppies or dogs. That’s a very small part of it.
Yet we get stuck thinking socialisation = play.
That’s the issue.
Socialisation is the whole world around them.
The one we’re used to. They’re not.
And if we reduce it to just play with other dogs?
Problems are on the way.
Socialisation is about teaching safety.
Creating safety.
Letting your puppy feel safe.
Even if they’ve never seen a plane or heard a crowd, the goal is the same.
Slow, careful exposure so they can take it in without overwhelming them.
We forget, or maybe don’t fully appreciate, how much they need to get used to in our world.
Socialisation is careful, positive exposure.
Acclimation.
And yes, a level of "neutrality".
Wet grass.
Stairs.
Rain on their head.
A cat passing by.
A scooter moving past.
The goal was never just play.
