You may see people walking their dog and think this would be a great time to socialize your dog and make a new friend. You speed towards the pair as if you were merging onto a highway. However, I want you to pump the breaks for a moment. 

Socialization is not randomly letting your dog meet every dog and person they see. If you randomly let your dog greet unknown dogs, you risk decreasing confidence, resilience, and contributing to life long behavior fallout. Not to mention, you’re teaching your dog to pull towards every dog he sees!

Socialization is not the same as exposure. Socialization is multiple, planned, brief, positive experiences with dogs in professionally monitored play groups, people of varying shapes and colors, bicycles, strollers, car rides, vet visits, nail trims, grooming trips, sounds, sights, and the list goes on. Brief positive planned experiences help your dog build confidence and resilience with environmental changes. Socialization is too important to leave to chance! 

Make a socialization plan and stick to it. Ask a professional dog trainer for assistance. I’ve created a social-distancing-compliant socialization tip sheet for my Pandemic Pups clients.  

So the next time you see someone you don’t know walking their dog, yield and give space. Ask your dog to pay attention to you. If someone is merging towards you, politely say, “We’re not saying ‘hi’ today.” and change lanes.