- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Socialization is key to helping your dog move happily and confidently through the world. It often starts early in puppyhood. But how do you socialize a dog who’s already an adult? What about a rescue dog with little to no prior training? Is it even possible once they reach a certain age?
The good news is it’s never too late to socialize a dog. While it might take longer and be more challenging, we think it’s worth the effort. This guide lays out the foundations of socializing an adult dog, common triggers, and insight from animal behavior experts. We also share how to know if your dog needs a socializing training plan—and where to get help if they do.
Principles of Adult Socialization
While puppy socialization focuses on introducing new things and building positive relationships, socializing an adult dog involves addressing how they already feel about certain things. That means you’ll need to use counterconditioning and desensitization to create new associations—either positive or neutral ones.
As such, it’s often a longer and more targeted process, according to Nicole Kohanski, certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC) and head trainer at Wiggle Butt Academy.
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Daniel Megias via iStock
Common Triggers from Lack of Socialization
Since adult dogs already missed their “socialization window,” exposing them to a long list of new things isn’t exactly necessary. It could even be overwhelming for already anxious dogs.
Instead of ticking off a socialization checklist like you would for a puppy, think about your dog’s responses to certain things you encounter in your daily life. These are some common triggers where adult dogs might need help.
People
Consider your dog’s range of reactions to the people they meet. Does just seeing new people bother them, or does introducing your dog to a new person send them over the top? Does your dog struggle with all people or maybe just certain groups, like tall people, men with beards, or children?
Knowing your dog’s general baseline around people will help you figure out where you need to focus your socialization efforts.
Other dogs
Figuring out how to socialize your adult dog to other dogs means considering the circumstances of the dog-to-dog introduction you’ve witnessed so far. Does your dog react negatively to other dogs, or do they maybe only react negatively while on a leash? Does the age, sex, or breed of dog matter?
Places
Some adult dogs struggle to be comfortable in new places. It can feel hard to know how to counter-condition for “any new space,” but professional trainers have lots of tricks up their sleeve. According to Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA and owner of Dog Savvy, the key is to build your dog’s confidence in a place they feel safe, then extend that confidence out into the world.
Creating a designated safe space—like a crate, dog bed, or blanket—works well because these things are portable. For instance, you can use a particular mat to practice relaxation, then take that same mat to train at the park, a friend’s house, or a dog-friendly store.
New experiences
Some dogs are perfectly comfortable with being put into new situations, while others will need some extra help. In some cases, it might be helpful to do practice runs for experiences your adult dog will face frequently.
For example, if your dog is afraid of the groomer, help them get used to different grooming tools and handling at home. Or, if they have a negative association with the vet, take them in for a quick “happy visit” to meet the staff and get treats before any actual procedures.
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Mary Swift via iStock
Steps for Socialization
Since adult dogs will have different areas where they need help, there’s no one-size-fits-all socialization plan for them. Because of this, and because socializing an adult dog entails behavior modification, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a professional trainer.
There are, however, general steps that everyone can take to guide their socialization process. Here’s what to know.
1. Train below threshold
When socializing your dog with other dogs, humans, or a trigger, the first step is to identify your dog’s threshold—aka your dog’s comfort zone. This is the place where they’re calm, able to engage with you, and able to accept rewards.
In the beginning, your dog’s threshold may be small. That means they’ll require a lot of distance from the trigger, or they may need super short sessions.
2. Go at your dog’s pace
As you train, monitor your dog’s body language and work at a pace that’s comfortable for them. Over time, your dog’s skills and confidence will grow, and you can slowly introduce more stimulating situations.
Always be ready to go back a step if you find you’ve moved ahead too quickly. That way, you can avoid one of the most common socialization mistakes: putting your dog in a new or intense situation before they’re ready.
3. Keep things positive
When socializing an adult dog, keep things positive—both in terms of your rewards and attitude. High-value training treats, praise, toys, play, and doing things your dog loves can all ensure they have a positive experience.
Avoid disciplining your dog for reacting, whether for a growl or an escape attempt. Punishment is more likely to reinforce that bad things happen when the trigger comes around—which is the opposite of what you want.
4. Adjust expectations
Everything is new and exciting for a puppy, but socializing an adult dog means overriding well-established associations. “For an adult dog experiencing something new, the starting point is at best neutral and at worst negative,” points out Kohanski.
In cases where your dog has extremely negative associations toward something, completely changing their emotions to the positive might not be realistic. Instead, success may look like fewer reactions, a more neutral reaction, less intense outbursts, or being able to manage your dog around triggers.
5. Be kind to yourself
Adopting an adult dog is wonderful, but it’s not always easy. Be patient with your dog and kind to yourself during the socialization process. Make time for play, and consider doing some training that doesn’t involve any triggers like agility or nose work.
K_Thalhofer via iStock
Signs a Dog Needs Socialization
If you recently brought home an adult dog and aren’t sure whether or not they have good social skills, there are some context clues. For example, when a dog isn’t socialized properly as a puppy, they often exhibit the following:
- Reactivity
- Resource guarding
- Excessive barking
- Sound sensitivities
- Aggressive behavior
- Anxiety and stress
Reactive dogs may lunge, bark, or snap at people or other dogs, specifically when on a leash. “If a dog is highly reactive towards anything new and unfamiliar,” says Bassett, “they may need help getting socialized.” This behavior is often motivated by frustration or fear—the leash keeps them from getting to something they desire or getting away from something they consider a threat.
Resource guarding is similar, only the fear is that someone might take away a valued resource, like food or a toy.
Excessive barking or aggressive behavior can indicate a need for socialization when they’re directed at an identifiable trigger. For example, if your dog regularly barks when they see another dog, they might be under-socialized. If your dog barks if they miss their dinner time, they’re probably just hungry.
Remember that behavioral issues can sometimes mask underlying health conditions that might require veterinary attention. So before you start training, consider taking your dog in for a check-up. Your vet might also have good advice about what kind of behavioral work to start with.
How and When To Get Help
Not sure if your dog just has some silly social quirks or needs a behavior modification plan? Here are some signs it’s time to get professional help:
- Your dog has made no significant progress over an extended period
- Your dog is showing constant signs of stress or anxiety
- Your dog is highly reactive around their triggers
- You’re worried your dog might harm themselves or someone else
- Your dog has developed secondary behavioral issues (like showing aggression to family members or destroying the house)
When choosing a trainer, Kohanski recommends finding a certified fear-free professional trainer through the Pet Professional Guild or the Fear Free directory. “Both of these organizations prohibit the use of fear, force, or pain or the tools that cause them in the training process,” she says.
With time, patience, and commitment, your socialization training efforts will pay off. Remember, even a little improvement is just that—improvement! And your dog will appreciate that you’ve expanded their world, even if just a bit.
