Charlie was the world's most sociable Labrador puppy. I spent the time from when he was about 12 weeks old, to when he was about 2.5 years, getting him not to jump up, run up to people, other dogs, and just about anything that moved. I have long thought that this was my fault, that I 'over socialised' Charlie, and made a bold puppy bolder, and encouraged this behaviour. Well, I thought, definitely am not going to make the same mistake with Betsy, that's for sure. Her socialisation has been very careful, she has been out and about plenty, but she has never yet met a person or dog without sitting nicely and told 'release'. The other dogs she has met have been older dogs, and I've tried to have her settle rather than play. Her first few walks have been in empty training fields or along the road on lead (and not saying hello to people or dogs). Today, took her to a small bridle path where she could be off lead, knowing that we'd come across a few other dogs and people, but I was expecting that and we have to sometime. Well, this little puppy, that I have taken immense pains with to not have her be like Charlie, is exactly like Charlie! Mad crazy to get to other dogs and people and as bold as brass with it. Sigh....the only thing I can say is that she didn't. Get to any people or dogs, I mean. But, I don't think Charlie was a result of 'over socialisation'. I think that - at least from the show lines that Betsy and Charlie come from - these dogs come pre-programmed to love the world and everything in it. Oh well, at least I know how to handle it this time!
Oh dear I think all puppies are the same. At least you have put training in already, so she will probably give up sooner
I don't think long lines teach dogs anything! They need to learn self control. Best way is to run away from her so that she becomes focussed on you at all times
Yes, it's in their nature - happy, sociable, friendly dogs. But nurture is 50% of the deal and, if she never gets to jump all over people and dogs, she won't come to expect it - however much she wants to ...
At 11 weeks old, Betsy is already not even remotely alarmed if I run away from her. Just like Charlie wasn't. The long line is absolutely necessary to stop her self rewarding by getting to other dogs and people.
I think if you put lines on and off all the time dogs can become wise to being on the line (or not) if it's a permanent fixture they don't really realise it's never off even when eventually you do take it off. I definitely think a permanent line of some kind is an option on retrievers. I'm not sure how much of a pain it would be on a spaniel.....
Charlie knows when he has a line on and when he doesn't, for sure. It is still useful to prevent self-rewarding, and prevent the reinforcement of a behaviour that you don't want.
Definitely. It's a safety thing and a useful training tool (as in preventing self-reinforcing) that allows a dog a lot more freedom than a normal lead.
I had a similar thing happen today with my 12 week old. Three tween boys arrived at the empty school field with a soccer ball. All my crazy noises did not distract her from OMG PEOPLE! She ran up to the first boy and promptly flopped on her back. I got there quickly and attached the leash and stepped on it so that she wasn't able to jump on the others. Very glad that I'd just read Pippa's article on jumping that morning.
IMO it's got to be better to have an over-friendly dog than one who is scared of strangers, other dogs etc.
It is, for sure. But I'm working super, super hard at impluse control! Hope to minimise the downsides at least. I was walking Betsy along the street yesterday, clicking for her walking nicely along beside me, and a complete stranger knelt down and made kissy noises to encourage Betsy towards him. Betsy tried to go, and I stopped her with the lead. Man continues to make kissy noises and pat his knees. Me: Please don't, I'm training. Him: You don't want me to say hello to your puppy? Me: No, no thank you. Him: Why not? Me: Because I'd rather she learned to ignore strangers on the street. Him: Humpf. You'll have no end of trouble with that dog, mark my words. [Walking off in disgust]
People do this with guide dogs, putting their owners in danger. It's always men who make the kissy noises! If a guide dog is about to guide their owner down steps etc and someone distracts them it can end in a serious accident for dog and owner. Some people were born with no brains ...
Sorry, I did chuckle a little Also sorry because this makes me feel a little better about Ella! One of our trainers always says Ella is just in love with the world . Annoying strangers! So frustrating! The one day I had Ella off to the side of the footpath, sitting at heel with my pram positioned between Ella and the footpath. I also loudly said "wait" to Ella but it was more for the pedestrian's benefit than mine. So the pedestrian decided this was her cue to walk around my pram and try to say hello to Ella! Arghh
@JulieT sorry that also made me laugh. I've had the same happen many a time. . There is very rarely a day goes by when a member of the general public doesn't do something irritating. I thanked a lady in the vets today for being so considerate towards Mabel, just shows when something as basic courtesy seems the exception rather than the rule.
I know. Happened all the time with Charlie. Then, when he was 25kgs, the same people said ugg, don't jump up! I'm not having it with Betsy, I'm as bolshy as anything and tell them to get lost, my puppy isn't public property. Well, along those lines but a bit more politely anyway!
