One of my favorite things about my jackrat terrier is that he’s super friendly and outgoing. He’s the kind of dog who eagerly approaches any stranger he sees on the sidewalk and runs over to socialize with any other animals at the dog park.
Dog personalities are as varied as those you’d find in human populations. Some dogs are nervous and unsure of new situations. Others are confident and ready to mix it up in any situation they encounter. If you have an outgoing dog, you can take a number of steps to ensure that he or she stays safe, healthy, and happy in any situation. A few precautions will ensure that these dogs are welcome wherever they go.
Keep Your Outgoing Dog Safe
Outgoing dogs are more likely to charge into any group of people as though everyone is a potential friend. Hard as it might be for us adoring pet owners to believe, many people were not raised with dogs and may even be afraid of them. In addition, other dogs may react to sudden encounters with aggression.
Keep your best buddy on leash in public at all times, unless you are in a safe, controlled area like a dog park. In this way, you’ll avoid alarming non-dog people and also keep your dog from encountering unpleasant reactions to his friendly overtures.
Teach Him Proper Manners
Before going out into public spaces, your dog should know the basic commands like “sit,” “come,” “quit,” “no,” “wait,” and “stay.” These commands will be necessary if your dog should wander into a dangerous situation. Basic commands will also ensure that your dog will not be a nuisance to other people. Not all dogs are child-friendly, after all!
An outgoing dog will take immense pleasure from being in a place full of people, unusual sounds, and other animals. However, you should always be ready to verbalize a command that will protect him or other people.
Offer Opportunities to Socialize
An outgoing dog needs the social and sensory stimulation of getting out of the house, having new experiences, and mixing with other dogs. These activities can help prevent psychological problems that develop because of boredom, such as excessive licking, separation anxiety, and destructive behavior.
Make frequent visits to the dog park to allow your dog to interact with others. Some communities institute special “dog days” in which businesses cater to pet owners. Take advantage of restaurants that have outdoor seating areas in which dogs can join their humans. Research your community to find out where and when dogs are welcome so you can provide interesting activities for your dog.
Take Your Dog Out in Public
An outgoing dog needs more sensory stimulation than a quieter animal, but every animal needs to be under control at all times. Make sure you have an appropriate collar or harness for your pet and give the leash a quick inspection before any outing. Ensure clasps and hooks are secure and there are no frayed areas. If nature calls, be ready to dispose of the results in a discreet manner.
Having an outgoing dog can make life more fun and interactive for owners, but you will also have to take special precautions to ensure that your pet is safe and not considered a pest to those who aren’t familiar with canine behavior. (And consider keeping them entertained with an awesome fetch toy, too.) Friendly dogs are absolutely the best, so if you have one, consider yourself lucky!
