If pets could do the talking , the typing and not just the walking, perhaps they would have more socially active lives than their human parents!

One thing most animal behaviour experts seem to agree on, is that pets need to be socialised as part of their training. The best thing we can do for them is to make sure they engage with other humans and animals.

This would be music to Toffee's ears, being a social and playful labrador who would like to stay in the park all day finding playmates, even disgruntled dogs or those squirrels she can never catch! Of course freedom and fun are not the only reasons for you to socialise your pet.

Broadening their social experience is meant to be an effective way of teaching them to fit our expectations. Of course pets are exposed to our daily lives and this usually means they are comfortable and familiar with the behaviour we expect of them at home...but what of the situations that break with the norm? Well apparently introducing contrasting situations at the earliest opportunity can help avoid any socacialisation issues both with other pets and unfamiliar humans.

That's it...now I am going to be organising play-dates at home for Toffee as well as the children! Could pet pals bring their own toys to avoid arguments? Let me know how you avoid social siberia for your pet!