Dogs need to socialise

In this post, we’ll discuss why dogs need to socialise with other dogs and humans. A lack of interaction with humans and other members of their species is known as canine social deprivation. Insufficient or negative social experiences can lead to fear and aggression towards humans and other dogs (Dietz, Arnold & Goerlich-Jansson & Claudia M. Vinke, 2019). Canine social deprivation can occur if a puppy is removed from its mother too early (Pierantoni, Albertini & Pirrone, 2011) and/or does not have adequate positive experiences interacting with and being handled by humans. Also, it can occur if a puppy is kept separate from their littermates or has been the only pup in the litter. Especially if they have not been appropriately introduced to other members of their species between the early socialisation period between 3-12 weeks (Fox & Stelzner, 1967). 

Social skills can be lost

One of the reasons why dogs need to socialise is that they can actually lose these skills. This is known as canine social regression and occurs when a dog appears to lose or show a lapse in their social abilities. This typically happens in the juvenile period that occurs after the socialisation period has ended but before puberty, between 3 to 6 months (Dehasse, 1994). It can occur when positive social experiences and interactions have not continued into the juvenile period or when a negative social experience has happened. This can include being attacked by another dog or frightened by a stranger (Serpell & Duffy, 2016). So, negative events in this time period can lead to a regression in a young dog’s confidence and ability to interact appropriately with other dogs and humans.  Social regression can also occur in adult dogs. However, it would take quite a substantial period of time in between social interactions for a well socialised dog to ‘forget’ how to interact with other dogs.

Recognising poor social skills

We can recognise signs of social problems in an adolescent dog in their body language and behaviour when interacting with humans and other dogs. These may include aggressive behaviours like growling, snapping, attempting to or actually biting a person or other dog (Gates, Zito, Thomas & Dale, 2016). Social problems in the adolescent dog may also include a poor ability to read signals from other dogs that indicate they are uninterested in interacting, such as looking, turning or moving away, and continuing to attempt to interact with the dog. They may also demonstrate fearful behaviours when interacting with new people or dogs that may include shaking, salivating, bladder elimination, panting, hiding, barking and running away (Blackwell, Bradshaw & Casey, 2013). These types of behaviour are often referred to as reactivity, but this term has no standard agreed definition.

Why dogs need to socialise

Social problems can have a significant impact on the domestic dog. Fearful and aggressive behaviours are reflective of a stressed inner state, and dogs showing these behaviours typically have increased salivary cortisol (the stress hormone) and elevated heart rates (Wormald, Lawrence, Carter & Fisher, 2016). Chronic stress and fear can have negative effects on the wellbeing of the dog and shorten their lifespan (Dreschel, 2010). Moreover, dogs showing aggressive behaviour towards people and other dogs are more likely to be relinquished to rescue or to be euthanized (Serpell, 2016).  This is obviously a very key reason why dogs need to socialise and to learn from a young age how to do so appropriately.

Fortunately, dogs who have experienced social deprivation or regression can be helped through force free and reward based behaviour modification, training and remedial socialisation with the help of a professional. Such dogs would be best placed in homes with owners who have experience with such behaviour (Mikkola, 2021). Guardians of such dogs need a strong understanding of body language and thresholds and who are able to provide adequate rest and enrichment. 

What next?

• Looking for help with your dog? Contact us to arrange in person or online training.
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References

Dietz, L., Arnold, A. M. K., Goerlich-Jansson, V. C., & Vinke, C. M. (2018). The importance of early life experiences for the development of behavioural disorders in domestic dogs. Behaviour, 155(2-3), 83-114.

Pierantoni, L., Albertini, M., & Pirrone, F. (2011). Prevalence of owner‐reported behaviours in dogs separated from the litter at two different ages. Veterinary record, 169(18), 468-468.

Fox, M. W., & Stelzner, D. (1967). The effects of early experience on the development of inter and intraspecies social relationships in the dog. Animal Behaviour, 15(2-3), 377-386.

Dehasse, J. (1994). Sensory, emotional and social development of the young dog. The Bulletin for Veterinary Clinical Ethology, 2(1-2), 6-29.

Gates, M. C., Zito, S., Thomas, J., & Dale, A. (2018). Post-adoption problem behaviours in adolescent and adult dogs rehomed through a New Zealand animal shelter. Animals, 8(6), 93.

Blackwell, E. J., Bradshaw, J. W., & Casey, R. A. (2013). Fear responses to noises in domestic dogs: Prevalence, risk factors and co-occurrence with other fear related behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 145(1-2), 15-25.

Wormald, D., Lawrence, A. J., Carter, G., & Fisher, A. D. (2016). Physiological stress coping and anxiety in greyhounds displaying inter-dog aggression. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 180, 93-99.

Dreschel, N. A. (2010). The effects of fear and anxiety on health and lifespan in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 125(3-4), 157-162.

Serpell, J. (Ed.). (2017). The domestic dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People.

 Cambridge University Press. 

Mikkola, S., Salonen, M., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Sulkama, S., Araujo, C., & Lohi, H. (2021). Aggressive behaviour is affected by demographic, environmental and behavioural factors in purebred dogs. Scientific reports, 11(1), 9433.