Dog Beach: Not For Me

As my mom stated on her facebook note about summer activities, the dog beach is not for every dog. I'm one of those dogs. I actually get along fine with most dogs, but I don't like dogs getting too close to my mom, and I don't really like people. This makes me too dangerous to be off-leash in a public area. There's nothing wrong with this. Some people are more social than others. The same is true with dogs. Don't force your dog to be something he's not.

So what can you do if you want to socialize your dog but you don't feel comfortable at dog beach? Make friends with people who have dogs and try to find a good match for your dog. Some dogs get along well with one or two dogs as long as the environment isn't too stressful. Make sure your friends' dogs are calm and well-behaved, similar in age or older and have a similar play style as your dog. Just like my mom said, dogs like bully breeds and labs like to body slam and play rough while dogs like herding dogs are more sensitive and just like to run. If you have a sensitive border collie, don't take him to meet a house full of boxers. He won't have fun.

Try taking the dogs on a walk together first. If your dog really isn't social, you may have to do this several times before you let them meet. Don't let them sniff each other during the walk but let them sniff each other's pee. It seems gross to you, but it's great information for us. Don't force a meeting. Let it happen naturally after several walks.

If things seem to be going well, let them meet in a neutral location, not someone's yard. If you let them meet on leash, keep the leashes loose. Don't pull! If you do, you could start a fight. You can always put them on long lines and let them drag so you can grab them if things get out of control but you aren't complicating the interaction with your human emotions.

Keep early interactions short. If you have five good minutes, don't push it. Try for 10 next time or the time after that. Always try to end on a good note and build from there. Better safe than sorry.

I don't have a lot of dog friends, but I do have some human ones. Maybe socializing your dog just means hanging out with humans or having coffee in a place where you can people watch but not socialize. The same rules apply: keep sessions short, keep them positive and build up from quiet settings to louder ones.

The most important thing to remember is that you have to accept your dog for who he is. If his favorite thing in the world is just to cuddle on the couch with you, that can be your activity. Whatever you do, just have fun!

Love, Muggsy (who is getting ready for his favorite activity -- sleeping next to Mom while she reads)