11/12/2025
We came across horses in a field today on my walk with my three little terriers. Our newest boy, Chip, hadn't seen horses before and was naturally inquisitive.
It feels natural perhaps that if we want our dogs to not pay attention to something, then we need to call them away from even looking at it. But that could well have the effect of making the thing even MORE interesting.
Chip was "allowed" to look and process the very calm horse. He watched for a little bit, no doubt assessing his safety first and foremost, and I didn't rush him on. I could see the horse was relaxed, Chip was relaxed, perfect opportunity to give him a little training session around horses.
Once he had looked he'd naturally swing his head back round to me and by rewarding THAT behaviour I trained him, very quickly, to just stay close and connected to me around these giant beasts (in his eyes!).
Socialisation is NOT:
🐾 Go over and engage with the horse
🐾 Pick the dog up and touch their noses
🐾 Punish the dog for looking/make the dog scared of it
🐾 "Making friends"
Socialisation is just "yes these things exist, nothing to be scared of, but I'd like you to leave it be really!"
Positively reinforce disengagement with rewards, fuss, attention and connection. The result of this with all 3 of my terriers is the ability to walk through a field of horses safely 🐾💜
DISCLAIMER: If you do not have very good recall with your dog, please keep them on lead around horses. They are NOT to approach the horse and potentially put themselves at risk and the horse in distress, especially when in training!
