Socializing Your Dog: More than Just the Dog Park

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Christine Antles

Emerson

In the summer, it’s amazing how many opportunities exist to socialize my 3-year-old Lhasa Apso, Emerson. Granted, I live in the particularly dog-friendly town of Portland, Ore. That said, it seems that as the weather warms up, dogs accompany their owners on more and more activities—sometimes even to the grocery store (though it’s not always allowed and I follow the rules). I do, however, have a hard time leaving Emerson at home when he wants to come along on a jog, a hike or a quick trip to the dog park.

Luckily, Emerson is a champ when it comes to traveling in the car. He will do almost anything to ride along, whether it’s to a family function, a trip to visit my grandmother at her assisted living facility or a road trip. He is more than content to watch the scenery pass by and anticipate the exciting adventures that await him.

Varied exposure to other people and Pets is enriching not only for him, but to those around him. My grandmother’s eyes lit up this weekend when she saw him—a true testament to the fact that Emerson was a bright spot in her day. Of course, Emerson doesn’t always react positively to people. In fact, he can be very suspicious of new faces. One crucial part of being a responsible Pet owner is being in tune with your Pet and anticipating how it will react to certain people/situations. For the first few encounters with a new person, Emerson tends to lean on the side of being slightly territorial—and sometimes, even grumpy. With this in mind, I can take steps to  help create an easier transition for both Emerson and any new people he interacts with.

Sharing new experiences with your Pet is a wonderful way to strengthen your bond, learn more about your Pet’s personality and to promote the positive role Pets can play in our community.

If you haven’t done so before, consider taking your dog to a new setting and introducing him/her to new people and Pets. Remember to exercise caution until you know how your Pet will react in new situations.

Don’t forget to consider the temperature as spring and summer head our way. As it gets warmer outside, I have to use extra caution when bringing Emerson along in the car, as the inside temperatures can reach fatal levels in just a few minutes. If it’s warm outside and I’m leaving the house for a few minutes, or even hours, to run errands, I know he’s much safer at home than sitting in the car.

About Christine Antles

Christine Antles works at Banfield's main campus in Portland, Ore. as an external communications specialist. She has a three-year-old Lhasa Apso mix, Emerson, who she adopted from the Oregon Humane Society about two years ago. View all posts by Christine Antles →


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