Play and Socialisation

Play and socialisation are critical aspects of your dog’s mental and physical welfare. Like us, as dogs age they tend to evolve from having a large friend group, to enjoying the company of a few. Likewise, play styles may change from wrestling or chasing to companionship – enjoying good company while exploring new places or watching the world. Meeting new dogs and people should still hold priority as dogs grow up, but those meetings don’t necessarily have to involve play, unless your dog is really enjoying himself. Short meet and greets are great opportunities for ongoing, safe socialisation. Your dog doesn’t have to be a social butterfly to be safe and happy – having several really good friends and being calm and confident around all other dogs is just as effective in ensuring a great quality of life. Also, young dogs go through different developmental periods and their behaviour may change day to day. Be patient, responsive and proactive with all new dog meetings. To encourage appropriate play, please: • Be aware of how dogs communicate (see ‘How do Dogs Communicate?’), interpret their body language, and respond appropriately • Watch your dog closely throughout any interaction with another dog and step in if either of the dogs isn’t enjoying themselves

• Err on the side of caution – if you’re unsure about whether play is appropriate, call your dog away and move on

• Ensure play is interrupted frequently and both dogs have a chance to calm down before playing again • Avoid play with sick, injured or elderly dogs, female dogs in heat or shy/ fearful or reactive dogs • Avoid allowing play to become overly obsessive or intense

• Seek additional support from a qualified, force-free trainer (http://www.rspcasa. org.au/the-issues/lead-by-example/) if you’re unsure whether your dog’s behaviour is appropriate or whether they’re enjoying play Contrary to what some may think, dog attacks are not normal. Dogs don’t need to ‘get over it’, and they won’t simply ‘grow out of’ fear or aggression. Behaviour and experience are incredibly complex and allowing dogs to ‘work it out’ themselves is not effective in creating the confident, calm and sociable dogs our society needs. In fact, it likely has the opposite effect as your dog learns that interactions with other dogs cause pain or fear. Best to seek assistance from a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviour consultant if you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour, and avoid interactions with other dogs until they provide further advice.