Even as restaurants open up for indoor seating, I’m not ready for that yet. Furthermore, the thought of listening to music and dancing with large groups of people, currently gives me a pang in my stomach.  That’s just the way that I feel….today.  I don’t know what my new “normal” is going to look like, and believe that every person has their own individual version as well.

Now that everyone has experienced some level of isolation or social awkwardness, we are better equipped to listen and understand our dogs.  Consider who we want to see or hug first – our family and friends, those that are closest to us, most familiar, and whom we trust.  Interacting with strangers may take longer.  When bringing a new dog into your home, regardless of their age, they need time to get familiar with family members (both people and other dogs) and learn to trust them.

Many dog owners believe that heading to a dog park as soon as possible is a “normal” social activity that all dogs enjoy.  However, many dog parks are the equivalent of heading out to a nightclub with a large groups of friends.  Dancing in that environment provides a great form of exercise, but may never be the scene that everyone enjoys.

For dogs, there are many other options to socialize and get exercise at the same time, but at a much slower pace:

  • Head to a park that has an enclosed dog park, but don’t go in it.  Walk the perimeter of the area so your dog can see the activity and decide on their own if they want to partake.
  • Try the new app sniffspot.com for renting a fenced area in which to play with your dog.
  • Open parking lots in industrial parks are often surrounded by patches of grass or plants in which your dog can sniff.
  • Strip malls often have alley ways behind stores, providing open low-traffic areas to explore.
  • San Diego also provides wide fire roads and hiking trails in which to venture. The social aspect is amazing as well.
  • In inclement weather, covered parking lots in condominiums, malls, or office building can provide a place in which you can play a good game of fetch with your dog.
  • Head to a neighborhood park and put your dog on a longer leash, preferably a 20 foot long line (non-retractable) where they can have more distance to roam and move.  You may even meet other dog owners doing the exact same thing.

The timeline in which each one of us (dog and human) determines our “normal” is up to the individual. It could take weeks, or even months, but the gift of time is on our side.  If you are not sure if your dog desires to be social, please contact a Certified Professional Dog Trainer for assistance (https://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/certified-dog-trainer-directory/).  We are here to help.