Valley Journal
Valley Journal

This Week’s e-Edition

Current Events

Latest Headlines

What's New?

Send us your news items.

NOTE: All submissions are subject to our Submission Guidelines.

Announcement Forms

Use these forms to send us announcements.

Birth Announcement
Obituary

Dogs need socialization

Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local. You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.



Subscribe now to stay in the know!

Already a subscriber? Login now

Socialize: mix, mingle, party, make friends, schmooze; all terms we associate with our human world, but what about the part socialization plays in the canine world?

We regularly see dogs brought into the shelter, both stray and surrendered, that display an enormous void of socialization and the accompanying skills necessary to survive in both the human world and the canine world. It is easy to say maybe they were abused and now afraid of people, but all too often they were neglected, not abused, and denied access to mental, emotional and physical stimulation. 

Our four-footed friends need the same type of exposure to this busy environment we live in as we afford to our other family members. Leaving a dog in the backyard, not allowing him in the home, not taking her places with you to meet other dogs and people diminishes their opportunity to grow into well-rounded, content dogs confident in taking on their world and your world that you expect them to fit into. By socializing your dog they are more comfortable going places such as the vet or visiting friends and family; plus, if you ever have an emergency and need to evacuate or take your dog to a boarding facility, they are not going to fare well if they have not been exposed to a wider world. 

At the shelter we see extremely shy dogs, nervous, cowering, unable to eat, unwilling to venture into their new (if temporary) world. It makes me wonder how many dogs are in our communities, in our yards, peripherally in our lives but not an integral part of our lives. Do they not deserve to blossom as a family member, be included rather than excluded, and do we not deserve to enjoy dogs as part of a fulfilled life with companionship, fun and adventure? It is sad to see the lost opportunities many people deny themselves by not opening their lives and hearts to this powerful relationship after acquiring a dog. 

If you cannot, for whatever reason, do this service and socialize, then maybe a dog is not the right pet for your family at this time. For those of you already including your dog as a full family member – thank you.

Sponsored by: