It is good for companion animals to be comfortable with a variety of stimulations, such as people, noises, new situations, other animals, travel, and children. The best time to socialize a dog is within the first three months of age, but adopters of older dogs don't have this advantage. If your adult dog is not already socialized, you will need to take extra time and patience to get him accustomed to new things. If possible, ask the previous caretakers how he reacted to other dogs, humans, and stressful situations in the past. This information may help you anticipate potential behaviors, but you should be prepared for different reactions and take the initial socialization efforts slowly.
First, you will want your new dog to feel comfortable in your yard and home. Once you have built his relationship and trust with your family, you can begin to take the dog into the near vicinity of your home. Work to instill confidence in the dog by rewarding confident behavior with verbal praise, petting, or treats. Remain calm if the dog becomes nervous while walking. Try to distract him and continue on. If you overreact, the attention will reinforce the dog's belief that he should be scared.
Adult dogs can be especially wary of people coming near their yard to read the gas meter or to deliver mail, for example. Keep the dog inside, tied up, or fenced in when strangers visit. Take time to introduce regular visitors to the dog so he learns that they are welcome.
After the dog is confident in his home and local surroundings, the next step is to take him to meet other dogs. Start by arranging to meet well-socialized dogs that are accustomed to meeting and greeting other dogs and humans and are not overly protective of their own homes and yards. A neutral place is best to do this introduction. Introduce your dog to one dog at a time, and have another person help.
Expand your dog's exposure to smaller groups of dogs before trying to take him into public situations where there are larger numbers of dogs. Many communities have dog clubs or groups that offer dog training, which will also provide opportunities for socializing your dog. Be sure that he is current on vaccinations before taking him to public places where the dogs may not be vaccinated.
Remember, all dogs are different, and the enjoyment they get from socializing with other dogs and people will depend largely on past experiences. Always try to make it a pleasurable experience, and never become angry or forceful with your dog if he chooses not to interact.
