Get Canine Life And Social Skills

Relative to non-human primates, domestic dogs indeed seem to have exceptional social skills. For example, previous research has demonstrated that dogs are able to use human social cues to find hidden food while non-human primates do not.

Dogs that are comfortable meeting and being around a variety of people of all ages, other dogs, and even other types of pets – especially cats – are considered well socialized. Being relaxed and receptive to new people and pets isn't something that comes naturally to every dog, any more than it does to every person.

“Research suggests that our connections with dogs increase our social interactions, evidenced by more openness to others, initiating conversations, focusing toward other people, being more positive, increased physical activity and play, and more laughing.”

39 per cent of dogs have no other animals to keep them company while their owners are out. Lack of exercise and socialisation — Dogs need daily walks outside the property and regular socialisation with people and other animals to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

There are lots of ways to do this: dog parks, play groups, play dates with friends' dogs, and simple leash walks can all help accomplish this. Without this experience, dogs can lose their ability to know how to behave appropriately around other dogs.

Behaviours may include greeting, play, mutualistic grooming, teaching and maintaining proximity. Dogs may form affiliations to specific individuals, or alliances within groups. This is seen towards both other dogs and human family members.

Domestic dogs are unusually skilled at reading human social and communicative behavior--even more so than our nearest primate relatives. For example, they use human social and communicative behavior (e.g. a pointing gesture) to find hidden food, and they know what the human can and cannot see in various situations.