Most dog owners believe socialization means meeting as many people and dogs as possible. But what if that approach is actually creating stress, reactivity, or shutdown behavior?

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto breaks down what socialization really means and why it has far less to do with interaction and far more to do with calm, controlled exposure. A well-socialized dog is not one that greets everything, but one that can observe the world without becoming overwhelmed.

You will learn why too much exposure can backfire, how to read your dog’s signals before they reach their limit, and why distance and neutrality are powerful training tools. This episode reframes socialization in a way that helps you build confidence, stability, and clarity in your dog’s behavior.