meeting other dogs

[sweeps mum]

Today we have attended a puppy party at our vet's with our 13 week old cocker called Sweep. We were expecting to see puppies of a similar age/size but instead met with mostly 6 month old dogs. Our puppy was very intimidated and wouldn't go near the other dogs. One of the dogs was a very lively border collie. All the dogs were off their leads and two spent all their time chasing and biting each other.  I didn't feel it was an ideal way to socialise puppies. I hope the training class I start next week is better. Have other people any experience of these parties and what do they think. My puppy came back exhausted and put off from seeing other dogs!                    

[PennyB]

Mine had progressively been meeting other dogs since they were 8 weeks old as I carried them around and introduced them to dogs that I knew had been vaccinated. Once they were down on the ground they were then introduced to more dogs one by one and occasionally a few together. I did all this through walking on my local park which I have to say is very friendly and I would make a beeline to introduce mine to others if I saw them. So by the time mine where in your situation they were old hands at it.

Why not take yours out and introduce Sweep on a one to one basis with dogs that are friendly to build up Sweep's confidence. Its a great way to make friends for you as well. Socializing I found was as much about actively seeking different situations for my 2. This bank holiday weekend coming up is ideal as there are probably loads of events coming up outside that you can take your dog to and you'll find some others take their dogs and then there's all sorts of other things to introduce your pup to and build up their confidence.

The puppy class will be the same I'm afraid as they often take pups up to 6 months old. Wilf was the tiniest of all the pups in his 1st class                    

[Dunton4]

Hi Sweep's mummy,

Tilly had a similar experience when she was a pup.  She was very intimidated by the big dogs at puppy classes at first, but our trainer told us that in her experience most spaniels were quiet at first and then rapidly came out of their shell.  Tilly spent the first two lessons huddled under our chair, but each lesson she got braver and braver, until now she LOVES classes, it's her favourite thing ever and she LOVES dogs of all sizes.  She has had some classes where it's just been her and some Great Danes and she has loved it :roll:   !! If your trainer is good s/he will control the times the dogs are off lead and going crazy.  Ours was excellent and made sure at first that small dogs were off-lead together whilst big ones were on-lead.  So, just be relaxed yourself and try not to fuss him if he's nervous.  If you act cool, he will pick up that there's nothing to worry about.

I would strongly agree with PennyB, finding some well-natured dogs at the park is also really helpful.  We found a small group who meet at a regular time and although at first Tilly sat at a distance and observed, I let her come to them in her own time and now she runs the length of the field at top speed to get to them to say hello!  Most of these dogs are elderly, Tilly is by far the smallest (and cheekiest) and they tolerate her very nicely!  They have been great for teaching Tilly some "doggy-manners".

This is a long winded way of saying I would find situations where he can meet friendly dogs and let him come to them in his own time.  I thought Tilly was going to be a complete wuss, but now she is almost too friendly to other dogs (has met a few snappy ones, but always gives new dogs the benefit of the doubt!)  I know it's hard, but try to act unconcerned as it's amazing how they pick up vibes and if you're nervous it can make them think there' s something to be worried about.  Obviously, I would try to check out that the dogs are friendly first!

Good luck, I do hope you enjoy your puppy classes, they are usually great fun!

Sue and Tilly                    

[Jan/Billy]

i think it sounds a bit unfair that all the dogs were off the lead on your first visit!!

At our training classes, junior (puppy) classes are run different to  adult classes. The first time you take your pup you are not allowed to go into the class on the first week. They have a seperate room whic is for puppies who are there for they very first time. It lasts about half an hour and gives the puppies chance to meet other puppies ofthe same or similarage.It is only the following week that your puppy is allowed to join the proper class
once it has become familiarised with the place.
When dogs are ff the lead it is very strictly controlled and no dog is allowed to become frightened. I must adnit our trainers are absolutley fantastic and really know their stuff, they are all guide dog trainers.

We live opposite apark so Billy is very well socialised and yes bank holiday's are fantastic especially as the weather is nie there will be allsorts of dogs out there waiting to meet each other    

Billy is well socialised and has a wonderful temprement,there is no dog that he doesnt like.People often comment on his good nature but i always eply that it is because he has been well socialised from a very early age

good luck  :wink: