Raise a dog who's confident and polite around other dogs.
The full book behind the Dog Social Guide: how we socialize the dogs that come through K9 Academy, from brand-new puppies to nervous adults.
- The 12 socialization myths owners follow, and what to do instead
- Why 6 to 15 good dog friends beat hundreds of strangers
- When to start with a new puppy, and why waiting for every shot backfires
- Why exposure isn't socialization, and how real dog friendships form
30-day money back guarantee · Instant download · No account needed to buy
95 pages · 22 MB
Sound familiar?
Friendly is not the same as social
“We go to the dog park, but it always ends in a scuffle.”
For many dogs, one or two bad experiences are enough to turn them off other dogs. Dog parks and daycares are where a lot of those experiences happen.
“Everyone says puppies need to meet hundreds of dogs.”
It’s the first of the 12 myths in the book. Quality beats quantity: 6 to 15 appropriate dogs in a puppy’s first few months is plenty.
“My dog is nervous around new dogs and I don’t know where to start.”
Nervous dogs need a quiet place to start, a social but patient helper dog, and a lot of time. The book has a plan written for them.
“He’s fine with some dogs and awful with others.”
Play styles and personalities have to match. The book shows which types pair well with your dog and which to avoid.
How it works
From the first meeting to a real friendship
- 01
Know what good looks like
Learn the difference between friendly and social, and between exposure and socialization, then drop the myths that set dogs back.
- 02
Pick the right match
Find your dog’s play style and personality, and choose a dog that pairs well with them. Then find one: the book lists where to look.
- 03
Introduce them step by step
Walk together on neutral ground, let the less interested dog set the pace, and keep toys, treats and affection out while the friendship forms.
- 04
Keep the friendship going
Read the body language, step in before a conflict, and stay the one making the decisions so a good relationship doesn’t go sour.
Take a look inside
Real photos of what to look for
- The 12 myths
- Play styles
- Personality matches
- The socialization formula
- Body language guide
- Step-by-step introductions
The harder dogs
A plan for the dogs who need more
Nervous
Start slow and quiet
Begin in a low-distraction place with a social but patient dog, and expect it to take time. Nervous dogs can take longer than aggressive ones.
Aggressive
Safety first
Muzzle train first, then work out whether the aggression is unwarranted or a defence because no one is advocating for your dog’s space.
Resource guarding
Take the prize away
If your dog would ruin a friendship over a ball, remove toys from that relationship for a long time, and set clear rules about resources.
Overaroused
Bring the thinking back
Learn the signs of a dog so wound up they can’t listen, like tackling a dog who didn’t want to play, and step in before it escalates.
What’s inside
Everything in the book
- p. 3
What is socialization?
Friendly versus social, and why exposure isn’t socialization
- p. 6
The 12 socialization myths
From “puppies must meet hundreds of dogs” to “don’t socialize until they’ve had all their shots”
- p. 15
Socialization destroyers
Dog fights, rude humans, on-leash greetings and bad matches
- p. 20
Puppy socialization
Genetics, the tools to use, the bully and the bullied, and fear periods
- p. 31
Adult socialization
Play styles, which personalities pair well, the socialization formula and the tools
- p. 43
Body language
The signs of stress and the signs of comfort, with photos of each
- p. 55
The step-by-step guide
Where to find good dogs, the five steps, and plans for nervous, aggressive, guarding and overaroused dogs
- p. 74
Corrections, neutrality and people
When to correct and when to advocate, building neutrality, and socializing your dog with humans
This is for you if…
- You have a new puppy and want to socialize them the right way from the start
- Your adult dog is nervous, pushy or unpredictable with other dogs
- You want your dog to have a few real dog friends, not just tolerate the park
- Your dog is wary of people, not just other dogs
It’s not for you if…
- Your dog has seriously injured another dog. Work with a trainer first; we offer a free phone assessment at 437-778-5273.
- You want your dog to love every dog they meet. The goal is a few good friends and calm neutrality around the rest.
Who wrote it
Written by the trainers at K9 Academy
K9 Academy has trained dogs in Toronto since 2011, more than 10,000 of them in person. Board and Train and our boarding kennel have always been core programs, and almost every dog who comes through them needs help with socialization in one way or another. This book is how we do it.
What owners say about socializing their dogs with us
These are reviews of K9 Academy’s training and daycare, where we socialize dogs the way this book teaches.
★★★★★
“Molly is a happier, social, and calmer dog because of the 1-1 training we have done with Anesh and Sophie!!”
“So many trainers before K9 Academy told us Molly would never socialize and was too anxious to be trusted! She is able to be around kids and play with other dogs.”
★★★★★
“His social skills with other dogs is unbelievable.”
“I'm never worried when we encounter new friends on walks.”
★★★★★
“My pup used to be reactive but now she's made many friends and has been less anxious around dogs!”
Everything you get
Dog Socialization Secrets
- The 95-page book (US Letter PDF)
- The 12 socialization myths, and what to do instead
- Play styles, personality matches and the socialization formula
- Body language photo guide: stress and comfort signs
- The step-by-step introduction guide, plus plans for harder dogs
- Instant PDF download, yours to keep
One private lesson with a trainer costs $225 or more.
The book:$9
One payment · instant download
Want to see it done? Take the video course
The Reactivity Program
Stop the barking, lunging and losing it on leash — with a protocol that holds up in public, not just in your living room.
- 14 lessons on video
- Dog Socialization Secrets comes with it, plus 7 more downloads
- Watch at your own pace, on any device
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this a physical book?
No. It's a 95-page PDF you download straight after checkout, to read on your phone, tablet or computer.
Is it for puppies or adult dogs?
Both. There's a section on puppy socialization, including fear periods, and a section on adult dogs, including play styles and personality matches.
When should I start socializing my puppy?
Sooner than most people think. Waiting until every vaccine is done is one of the 12 myths in the book, and it explains when and how to start safely.
My dog is reactive or aggressive with other dogs. Will this help?
The book has plans for nervous, aggressive, possessive and overaroused dogs. If your dog has seriously hurt another dog, work with a trainer first; we offer a free phone assessment at 437-778-5273.
How is it different from the free Dog Social Guide?
The Dog Social Guide is the short, illustrated version: what a good meeting looks like. This is the full book behind it, with the myths, the matching, the body language and the complete step-by-step plan.
What if it doesn't help?
You're covered by our 30-day money back guarantee. Email info@k9academy.ca for a full refund.
Find your dog’s next good friend
Download Dog Socialization Secrets, read the myths, and plan your dog’s next meeting step by step.
30-day money back guarantee · Instant download
Dog Socialization Secrets
$9 · instant download