What does it really mean to socialize your dog?
Many dog owners believe socialization means letting puppies meet every dog, greet every stranger, and spend hours at the dog park. Unfortunately, those well-intentioned efforts often create the very behavior problems owners hope to avoid.
In this episode of Dog Training Unfiltered, Michele Forto explains what proper socialization actually looks like and why confidence, not popularity, should be your goal.
You’ll learn why calm observation is often more valuable than constant interaction, how the critical puppy socialization period works, why dog parks are rarely the best place for young dogs, and how older dogs can continue building confidence throughout their lives.
Whether you’re raising a new puppy or helping an adult rescue dog adapt to the world, this episode provides practical, science-based advice you can begin using immediately.
Visit Alaska Dog Works to learn more about our private training programs, puppy classes, and online resources.
