play with other puppy/dogs - Page 1

I would hear gladly some opinions, how other owners handle it. Would you let play their puppies with other dogs? Who says to me, how the other puppy/dogs are assessed, which good or bad experiences my dog makes or should not perhaps also make? What has my puppy of it - in what respect he learns social behavior with other dogs, if the others are perhaps not social? That a mistake does not develop here: I believe, a well socialized dog can play with many other dogs quite well. But if I will make training - in as far playing with strange dogs is useful? I would speak gladly here about it. Perhaps it is from general interest also for others.

Playing with litter mates and momma is very good , but playing with strange dogs should not be done until dogs have all they're shots and immunizations have kicked in. I would still want to know the other dogs are vaccinated and free from parasites and disease. I do not go to so called dog parks either. I think socializing with other animals is as important as human socialization. Plus the dog likes it. Behavior is always a concern and you should always be in control of these situations.

Thanks for the answer. I assume the other all inoculation have. If however different dogs are not socialized - can my puppy learn also the bad things of the others? Do I have to intervene there - or do let one the dogs simply only it adjust? I am more the opinion that I intervene, if the play becomes too crude. Others think differently of it... and go then to the veterinary surgeon :-( I would not like my puppy to spoil - however I would also not like to have the bad behavior ways later with my puppy. Sociability is the good - however bad socialization of other dogs is rather negative. How can negative behavior of other dogs affect my puppy?

I don't ever let my puppy play with dogs. He could be bullied or hurt, worse yet he could decide they are more fun than me.(NEVER!!) Seriously, I just don't see the need for my dog to have doggy friends. I guess my in-laws Rottie/Pit mix and Akita bitches are his friends, we do go over there at least once a week and they all get along okay. Even with them, I held off interaction until he was older and I was sure he was very self confident and could hold his own, and even then always supervised. I have seen well bred pups become cowed & introverted after too much exposure to very dominant and/or curious outsider dogs. I really never do much in the way of letting my pups be handled or touched by people outside of my little circle, same thing with other dogs, yet my dogs all grow up very secure and confident and they don't "wig out" around other people or dogs either.

I think not socializing a puppy with other dogs is not a smart thing, however, you do not need to have your puppy play with other dogs/puppies to receive some of that socialization. Other people are often blissfully ignorant of common manners. It is pretty common to see people allow their larger, boisterous dog run up on a smaller dog. People often lack the ability to read their dogs and think that despite that sweet pookums has his tail up, stiff legs and betraying lots of dominant or even agressive behavior, their precious wittle pootums would never hurt another dog.... so YOU are actually the bad person for either asking them politely to pull their dog back, or picking your pup up and leaving. I think socialization is best done with people you know who have dogs and know how to correctly socialize a dog, or clubs ... again where people know how to read a dog, understand the benefits and detriments of HOW to socialize. I let a lot of different people handle the pup I am working with, though I prefer to oversee what is going on and even ask them to do specific things. However, I think if you are sch training, being the sole handler, or at least not letting everyone and their brother pick up and pet and handle your pup is also probably wise.

Dogs are pack animals - there is no reason on earth to expose your dog to strange dogs outside of his pack. You bring problems on yourself by doing this. First and foremost you run the possibility of a dog fight. Secondly your dog can end up becoming too dog related and less person oriented. My dogs are part of my pack and they don't need to socialize with other "packs". I teach my dogs to ignore other dogs and they are kept separate until they form a strong bond with me and then only limited amounts of time spent with dogs from my own "pack".

@harddawg:... teach my dogs to ignore other dogs ... Yes, I do the same. But often other persons with dogs ask me: why your puppy cannot play with my puppy, that is funny... ect., ect. I am careful with my puppy of course. And I think that I can read other dogs ( the important things ). And I would like to know what a reason it can have to play with other puppies or dogs. I cannot realize any reason, because my opinion is: form a strong bond with me and my puppy, not with other dogs. Today I thought: if the puppy learns - all the other dogs are for to play with them... than I can forget any examinations with her. Isn¿t that right? I am not sure because a lot of questions from other persons to me like: playing is good for the dog ect.....

The other people who are asking you the questions may not necessarily be qualified dog trainers. I would form your own opinion based on what you find to make the most sense. There are alot of opinions out there and alot of them are wrong. You want your dog to be focused on you at the trial and training, not other dogs. These other dogs have no impact on his life and they mean very little if nothing to him.

I guess I'm different. When I brought my 8 week old puppy home my older dogs didn't accept him for a while. I had to take him to a friends that had a very well socialized female. After he came home for good I made sure that he was socialized to other dogs. Either on or off leash. I let him play with other dogs but NOT aggressive ones. It has been really good for his confidence and he is not afraid of strange dogs. He knows how to greet strange dogs and does well in a crowd. I step in front and take charge if things go past the line I feel appropriate. They are pack animals and need to learn how be good pack members. Just remember you are the pack leader so you are responsible to protect your dog. If it isn't safe don't take your dog there.

I think this was about puppies interacting with other puppies, not puppies and 75 pound adults. I think you wanted to know if your puppy would learn bad behavior, bad habits from this activity. I figured you wondered if this would be a safe activity. I dont think a close encounter with another puppy could cause harm other than transmitting a disease or parasites. I dont think your pup will learn criminal behavior or how to sin. I dont think your pup would be ruined or leave you for greener pastures. I do believe you should supervize these kinds of things. Socializing with people or animals can only add to a dogs knowledge. I also wonder if a little common sense might prevail over extreame oppinion and needles worry. Will your dog learn anything useful by any of this, I dunno, ask him.