You’re a proud dog owner, and now that you’ve welcomed them into your life, you want to bring them everywhere! But introducing your dog into social situations that they aren’t ready for could be a recipe for disaster. Below we share some tips on how to alleviate your anxiety for your dog’s sake, choose the right pet care products, and gradually teach your dog how to behave around people and animals.
Keep Your Stress Levels Down
If you’re just bringing your dog out in public for the first time, it’s understandable if you feel a little nervous. But it’s important to stay relaxed because your dog can sense your stress. If you’re concerned that your pet has been affected by your stress levels, consider how you can create more time to relax, like finding a better sense of work-life balance. Exercising together can also curb your stress and give your pet an outlet for their energy, even if it’s just taking a walk to the grocery store!
Check Product Reviews
When you’re visiting public places with your pet, you’ll definitely need to bring along some essential gear like a leash and harness. However, it’s also a good idea to pack a portable water bowl and a toy that your pet loves. If you’re not sure which products to buy, make sure to look up in-depth reviews first so that you can make the best choices for your pet.
In addition to checking customer ratings, consult expert pet care advice that includes reviews from veterinarians. When you know which products professionals prefer, you can feel confident in your shopping decisions.
Essential Skills
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you think of just how much you need to teach your dog! Start with a few key skills. Preventative Vet states that every dog should learn the commands “Sit,” “Stay,” “Down,” “Come,” “Leave It,” and “Drop It.”
Gradual Acclimation
Once your dog can consistently respond to these basic commands, you can begin introducing them to social situations with crowds. AKC Pet Insurance recommends identifying pet-friendly spaces in your area, like hardware stores, certain cafes, breweries, sporting goods stores, and more. Practice showing your dog around these places and assess their behavior to determine what you need to work on.
Interacting With People
Your dog should also learn how to greet people and interact with them in one-on-one scenarios. To safely introduce your pet to your friends and family, try to make the first introductions on neutral ground so that your dog doesn’t feel like they have to “defend” their space. A local park could be a good place for introductions!
Getting Along With Other Dogs
Maybe you’d like to bring your dog to a dog park in your neighborhood. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to teach your dog how to play nicely with other four-legged friends. Start by giving them the chance to befriend your friends’ pets. If you notice trouble brewing, break up the conflict swiftly by separating the dogs before either has the chance to hurt the other. When your dog can play well with others, you can start bringing them to the dog park!
Dogs make great companions, but like most pets, they need to be trained before you bring them into crowds and public spaces. With enough time and effort, you’ll impress other pet owners with your dog’s good behavior! By following these tips, you’ll stay relaxed during training sessions and have no trouble shopping for the best pet products.
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