The best way to socialize your dog is to introduce them to other dogs, but it can be hard to find the right ones. Here are some ways to make the search easier:
- Head to the Dog Park or Beach
This one should be obvious, but it’s worth mentioning for the same reason you’d tell a friend to head to a bar to meet someone — generally speaking, the dogs (and people) who frequent dog parks play nicely and may be interested in hanging out. Plus, you get to see the dogs interact in a safe environment and get a built-in conversation starter.
Obedience classes and other kinds of dog training workshops are great places to meet other owners and pups who may be interested in spending more time together with you. Even better, you’ll be able to get a sense of both the other dogs' owners throughout the class and pick out the ones you’re interested in approaching.
Want to meet other people who love and have dogs? A rescue or other type of dog volunteer organization can be a wonderful way to meet like-minded people in an environment that’s conducive to getting to know each other. Just be careful about the canine part of this equation. While most rescue dogs are completely harmless, there are some that may be suffering from behavioural problems due to the tough life they’ve led, and you need to know what you’re getting your dog — and yourself — into.
