How to Socialize an Older Dog

While socializing a dog is best done as a puppy, the old saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks is not true. There are numerous older dogs, many that were rescued from appalling situations, that learn to overcome their "emotional baggage" with training. Socializing an older dog requires patience, persistence and a lot of love. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Desensitize your older dog to touch by regularly grooming him. Make sure to quietly handle all areas that are particularly sensitive and that the groomer will have to touch—nails, muzzle, belly, and ears. If it is safe, place your fingers inside your dog's mouth and check his gums and teeth. Gently check his genitals for any bumps, abrasions or lumps.
2. Give your older dog lots of treats to make all his socializing experiences more enjoyable; experiences he will look forward to in the future. Most dog trainers agree that reward-based methods are best when working with fearful or aggressive dogs.
3. Introduce new people to your dog slowly. Start out by inviting one or two dog savvy friends over. Keep your dog on a leash and have them hand feed your dog treats until he is relaxed around them. Repeat this process again and again, having different people come over each time. Eventually your dog will look forward to having people come over because it means food.
4. Work on walking quietly, on and off the leash, before your take your dog out on the town or try to desensitize him to other canines. Enroll in a reward-based obedience class if you are struggling.
5. Start socializing your older dog to other canines by taking him to a place where he can watch other dogs from a distance without having to interact with them. As soon as another dog comes into sight, offer your dog a treat and continue to give him treats as long as the other dog is in view. If he barks and refuses the treat, stop and move further away, you are too close to the other dog. Repeat the process moving a little bit closer to other dogs every time, continually praising and rewarding your dog when he is quiet and offers non-reactive behavior.
6. Try not to react and tug on the leash if your dog barks or growls at another dog. Most aggressive behavior towards other dogs has been unintentionally taught by owners who yell and pull on their dog's leash when they react negatively to another dog. The dog picks up on their owner's tension and eventually becomes conditioned to react to the approach of other canines by tensing and warning off the other dog.
7. Stay positive and act like nothing is a big deal. If your dog is fearful and tries to hide, just ignore him. Don't try to urge him to come out of hiding or talk soothingly to him, this will only reinforce that the situation is frightening and that he should be hiding. Only reward positive behavior. Instead talk to him in an upbeat, happy voice.
8. Let your dog approach any frightening objects or people on his own--with just the help of his favorite toy or a few treats. Don't drag him over and force him to interact. It's perfectly normal for your dog to be hesitant about new situations. As a dog owner it is up to you to vigorously work on socializing your older dog to new situations, objects and people.