Leash Laws and Paw-litics

Canine behaviourists in India are often faced with the challenge of behaviour issues arising from incorrect dog-to-dog socialisation. Remember, socialization isn’t about forcing interactions; it’s about teaching your dog good manners and helping them behave neutrally around other dogs.

A recent visit to a popular pet-friendly pub in Bangalore left me bewildered. The atmosphere was chaotic, with pet doggos constantly barking at each other, running around, jumping on tables, and even trying to attack each other. Even though the pets were not enjoying themselves, pet parents were forcing their shy, scared, or hyperactive pets to interact with other pets, creating a harrowing experience for all.

The Great Dog-to-dog Socialization Myth

In India, many of us believe that dog socialization means throwing our pets into an unregulated dog park or a crowded pub and letting them fend for themselves. Pet parents often force their pets to ‘make friends’ with other pets on walks, in public spaces, etc. We think that’s how they’ll learn to get along with other dogs. But that’s not how it works. Your pet doesn’t need to socialize with every doggo he meets. They’re naturally wary of strangers, including other dogs.

Canine Connection Decoded – What Socialization Means for Dogs?

Dogs want to feel safe and secure around other dogs. They want to coexist without feeling threatened or anxious. Socialization isn’t about forcing them to play or interact with other dogs; it’s about teaching them good manners and helping them behave neutrally around other dogs.

From Turf Wars to Tail Wags – Getting Dog Socialization Right

Proper dog socialization involves introducing your pet to other pets in a controlled and safe environment. This can be done through –

• Controlled socialization sessions with trained dogs and handlers
• Gradual exposure to other dogs in a calm, peaceful environment
• Positive reinforcement training to help your pet associate other dogs with a positive experience

It’s crucial to expose your pet to well-socialized dogs during this process. This helps him learn good manners, boundaries, and behaviours from calm, confident, and well-behaved dogs. If your pet is exposed to aggressive, fearful, or poorly behaved dogs, he may pick up undesirable behaviours and develop behavioural issues.

Meet, Greet, and Retreat – When and How to Socialize your furry friend?

From a dog-to-dog socialization perspective, a puppy must remain with his mother and littermates until at least 8 weeks. During this period, puppies –

• Learn canine body language and communication skills
• Develop bite inhibition and control over mouthing behaviour
• Practice social skills, such as conflict resolution and cooperation
• Learn to respect social boundaries and personal space
• Reduce aggression towards other dogs
• This critical period lays the foundation for a puppy’s social skills and behaviour around other dogs.

Socialization with dogs apart from littermates should occur within the first 5 months of your pet’s life. This critical period shapes his behaviour and personality. Socialization should be done gradually and controlled, considering your furry friend’s temperament, age, and breed.

Socializing Oldies with Care

If you are introducing an older pet to new dogs, make sure they’re already neutral around other dogs. To do this safely –

• Start with a controlled walk: Keep both dogs on individual leashes and walk them parallel to each other in a neutral environment, avoiding areas familiar to either dog.
• Gradually increase freedom: Once they seem comfortable with each other’s presence, move to a secure, enclosed area where they can interact off-leash. Ensure they have enough space to move away from each other if needed.
• Avoid triggers: Refrain from encouraging play or leaving toys around, as this can lead to resource guarding and conflict.

This approach helps minimize stress and prevents potential conflicts, allowing older dogs to interact safely with new dogs.

Between Wags and Warnings – Understanding the Risks

We frequently encounter behavioural issues in dogs that exhibit “leash aggression” – becoming aggressive towards other dogs while on a leash. This is often a result of a negative socialization experience during walks, which can also contribute to leash-pulling issues.

Here are some of the other risks of incorrect socialization –

• Fear and aggression towards other dogs
• Anxiety and stress around other dogs
• Over-excitement and hyperactivity around other dogs
• Lack of impulse control and manners around other dogs

At Wag-Ville, we believe in the power of positive, force-free training to transform lives – not just for dogs, but for their humans too. By prioritizing ethical and science-based training approaches, we ensure the emotional and physical well-being of the dogs in our care, fostering a nurturing environment where pets and their families thrive.

(Subhadra Cherukuri – Founder | Managing Director, Wag-ville Animal Services Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka)