Socialization is a fundamental part of the development of a dog, especially in its puppy stage. It consists of introducing him to different places, contexts, environments and smells, as well as letting him interact with people and animals, so that he gets used to and accustoms himself to the outside world. With this we achieve that they are more friendly, affable, sociable dogs and we reduce behavior problems.
Although the breed itself and its life experiences considerably mark the character of a dog, socialization is key to ensuring that they are correctly stimulated and not reactive or fearful. And although it is very important when they are puppies, it can also be done in adult dogs.
However, this socialization is not always easy. Sometimes, due to ignorance, we make mistakes that hinder the process. In addition, it is complex for a dog to relate to other unknown dogs, since not all of them are willing to make friends. This is where the increasingly popular dog socialization groups come into play.
Dog socialization groups are organized by professional trainers, ethologists, or educators. They gather groups of dogs with similar ages, sizes and characteristics to facilitate their socialization under their direction and supervision, always in the company of the owners of each furry.
They consist of periodic meetings in which the animals meet, interact with each other and play. It is very beneficial for dogs to make friends, as this results in a better character, they will have fun and they will be happier. But, in addition, they will learn to relate to others of their kind when they meet on the street.
Dog socialization groups are often not just about letting the dogs run free, but often incorporate training lessons as well. So both the dog and his human guide will learn a lot in these sessions.
