Advice: Maggie 11/13/18 had a first "play date" with a neighbors 12 week old male lab. We went to their yard as it was a fenced in area. It didn't go anything like my vision in my head. He's an adorable pup, but wow from the first minute he chased her down and would body slam her and bite her. I think I was just so surprised at first I thought he would stop when he could hear her cry out or yelp from the bites. When it didn't stop we separated them till he seemed to settle down and try again it was better but still not a situation for Maggie. They had a few min that when next to each other they interacted ok, but as soon as off lead it was a free for all on Maggie. What a powerful little guy he is already! My first and only thought is not to get together again. Im sure reading some of these dominance posts above, we should have had him or both on a long line, but I had read on this site about another dog and being sure to take off collars and such so they don't get tangled up or injured, so now Im really confused Would you try again or not even risk putting Maggie threw it again? It was just nice being in a new neighborhood/state and meeting someone with a lab, but not at the expense of Maggie. But maybe Im thinking in human terms like I wouldn't let my child play again with another child like that. But if there was something we should try next time like the long line and when he goes after her to stop it? Thanks
Should have had them on house lines. From your description you should not have allowed the bullying of your dog. And so with this dog, no I would not let them play that way again. Your puppy is beyond the socialisation period, so it is not that important that she plays with a strange dog. It is more important that your dog should not be exposed to a bully.
Its too late now unfortunately. Ignorance that such a little guy could be an actual bully. Having to spend that important socializing time in her kennel hasn't been in her favor either. Normally Id beat myself up over something like this, but It happened so fast and Ive never experienced this before with any of my other labs so it really caught me off guard. I do feel horrible though...
Hi @BacktoBlack Oh no, don't feel bad. You are now better informed. As I said you're dog is outside the socialisation period. So playing close to other dogs is not going to be productive. Your role as handler is to avoid traumatic experiences. Don't be anxious. The dog will sense. Be instead a confident leader.. My advice. Enrol in a positive reinforcement obedience club. Let the instructor show you how to be a good leader. You may discover another dog who will play well with your young dog. If so, you two handlers become the conduit for interaction. That is, let the dog's interact by playing with you two handlers. The idea is not to let the dog's engage in a free for all.
@Michael A Brooks Yes I have a class coming up soon that Ive heard good things about. I wish we didn't miss the puppy class, but she was still recovering and by the next availably class was over the age so has to go into a beginners class. Ive got a good hold of her commands (been working on Pippas total recall) but like most pups we could always do better! and lets be honest by WE I mean ME
