play with other puppy/dogs - Page 2

So you are promoting socialization of your dog with other peoples dogs???

I think common sense tells me that making my puppies have play dates with other puppies is just trying to anthropomorphize him, and does nothing to serve him.

The only other dogs that I worry about them socializing with is my mother's dogs. I spend alot of time there with them so I do want them to be social and consider them part of a part-time "pack". Other than that why ask for trouble?

anthropomorphize - Excellent word choice Sue! That shall be the word of the day class!

iT SAYS PUPPY/DOGS......ONLY YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF DOGS...THERE IS NO NEED TO INTRODUCE PUPS TO THE WORLD OF OTHER DOGS...If you are just raising a pup for just a family pet...do what you want...but listen to a qualified trainers advice...Your pup should not be introduced to dangers of ears being ripped, bites, and dominance and dogs should focus on their new owner...bond with you not another dog...you pup had its day ,,in the litter. as your dogs gets older and obedienced , it can be around dogs of family or in class, but under your total direction and under rules....A lot of smaller dogs in your family cannot tolerate the hard drives of a german shepherd...and they dont want the tug and pull and cant get too rough in the play session...so be very careful .....a german shepherd is a shepherd..., not a play toy///He or she has a rewarded job and playing with other animals is not that job until that dog is older and been socialized....yes they should be around and meet other dogs and be let to very nicely say hello and Im here and nice to know you.....use the phrase with your pup...."Be nice " and same phrase you will use around humans or "Friends".....use it from the beginning of your puppies new life at your house....dont ask me about a cat....no cats in my life...

no, my puppy is to make training - not only for family, more for examinations like SchH. I think, I understand the different opinions well. I think also that I permit a play between my puppy and other dogs or puppy only if it is safe and the other strange dogs show a normal social behavior. The opinions here ( thanks for it! ) actually it shows me that playing with other dogs is rather useless, if my puppy is to be trained nevertheless. I make for the moment subordination with the puppy 6-month old ( it has enough impulse and drive - which I will begin later ). And I actually try that she learns, to ignore other dogs. But other people ask me often to play with their dogs. I in person - I don¿t like that too much because possible injuries. For social training it seems sufficiently if my puppy will ignore other dogs. I hope so. Beside she has enough socialisation with her mother, play around the day. And her mother is very socialized - so hope she can her show how to play with normal behavior. Beside: this moment we have NEW YEAR 2008! Greetings and thank to all!!!

Yes! thats a word to be reconed with antro whatever. I guess the deal is I'm not training for shutzhund. I understand your thinking along those lines. My dogs go with me to town, to friends homes, out in public. I do let them interact with friends, animals, and pets. Dogs cats horse's cattle sheep kids strangers, I trust my dog to behave and have good manners. When on leash they only see me. Thats how I have trained them. They know the difference. Yes things can happen when animals get together, I take nothing for granted. My dogs are country dogs and they have the run of the place. We have stray's come by, hunting dogs run the woods, and sometimes coyotes. They know what to greet and what to run off. Its just a different life style from shutzhund and competition. Sometimes I forget were I'm at. We are different you and I, our dogs have different jobs. I respect the time and effort you put into your dogs and understand your concerns. I would hope you have a little understanding of me and what my dogs are all about as well. If you were to visit me at my home I would hope you have a good heart and good intention, because my dogs know the difference and will respond as only a German Shepherd can. I'm very proud of them, we serve each other. Best wishes to all in the new year, may it always be better than the last. Brent.

@2moons: I respects and accepts your kind of dogs to naturally hold. With me it is similar. My dogs accompany me naturally everywhere also to friends, who have also dogs. Or I go through the city or, or.... I have also cats, with which my dogs are social - my dogs respect my cats, suddenly not other cats..... My dogs are naturally also in the house and welcome my visitors friendly. Over it I do not make myself concerns. But straight, if I on the way am and meet other owners of dog, I am then asked again and again: Let nevertheless your dogs with my play. Mostly I would not like that. And surely it gives humans, who know exactly here in this forum enough, about which I talk: I must make a declaration again and again, why I would not like or permit that only rarely. Meanwhile the something disconcerted me. Therefore I had asked here. I do not have the concern that my dogs "argue" with the other dogs - my dogs are socialized and have their very clear own language. But often it is like that that other dogs this language are not kept also wrong to have or by their owners and are absolutely dominant, also smaller dogs. Which my dogs would then make in the meeting, can themselves to everyone present. Therefore I asked here.

Either way is right, it just depends on what's right for you and your dog.

Yes I agree as well with either way is right. My only concern is that dogs can get dog aggressive if not properly socialized. This usually happens between 1 and 2 years old. You don't want a dog that can't be around other dogs without getting aggressive. I have 1 out of my three that has taken a lot of work to get him back to be able around other dogs. Does that mean they have to play with other dogs. Not required. Just a way to socialize. My trainer told me that some dogs can't do this and it shouldn't be forced.