Why Is It Important To Socialize Your Dog?

Dropping your dog off at dog daycare for the day is more than just making sure your furry friend is safe. It is a great way to socialize your pup! Socialization is a vital process for teaching your dog what good behavior is. It is important to help your dog listen to you while giving them the much-needed confidence that will allow them to handle any situation. Properly socializing your pup takes a lot of time and commitment, but with the assistance of the dog daycare staff, you can help teach your dog these valuable lessons in a much shorter time frame.

We asked a local dog behaviorist to share why it is important for dos to be socialized, below is what she had to say:

Confidence

Dogs need to experience a variety of situations that include different people and other dogs to learn how to properly behave. Different environments and scenarios can help your dog socialize better, but can offer even more. Studies show that constantly socializing your pup can build up their confidence. This will help your furry friend feel safe exploring new things in the future.

Mental Stimulation

Another benefit of socializing your dog is mental stimulation. Similar to humans, the quality of life of your dog depends on mental stimulation. You can teach your pup games, and you can entice their curiosity with numerous toys, but the best mental stimulation for dogs is socialization with other dogs. Your dog will experience new smells, scents, and will meet new dogs and people. You can start small with visits to a dog daycare facility while you stay close. This will offer access to a new and stimulating environment. Once they begin to be more comfortable, you can leave the environment without concern that your dog will be stressed.

Exercise

You know that feeling, or inner voice that urges you to skip your workout for the day, well this happens to dogs, too. If they’re alone too much time, they are inclined to a sedentary lifestyle. Luckily, socialization and dog daycare can help your four-legged friend benefit from a consistent exercise routine.

Less Stress

Dog socialization also helps your dog with stress and anxiety. If your dog seems anxious when you try and get them in a car, bringing them to the vet or groomer or even when you are getting ready to leave your home, socializing them through regular daycare visits can help. This is because your dog will become familiar with getting in and out of the car on a regular basis, visiting new places and with new people and with you leaving.

Less Barking

When dogs get bored or anxious, they tend to bark more. The behaviourist said that socializing your pup from an early stage in life can offer tremendous benefits. It will help your dog get accustomed to changes, reducing the chances of potentially destructive behavior and barking fits.

Dog socialization is vital for your dog’s overall wellbeing. It can teach them valuable lessons on how to behave and react in a variety of situations. If you are not sure how to start this process yourself, consider taking your four-legged friend to a dog daycare facility. It will offer them the chance to interact with fellow dogs while teaching acceptable behaviors.

Animal Kingdom Resort is one of the largest indoor facilities for dog care in Canada. We provide an enjoyable, safe environment for your four-legged friends. Our focus is to provide fun activities for healthy exercise and socializing to keep your dog content. Give us a call today at 905-206-0531 to book your dog’s free assessment.