Hiya So Seren has been a bit sick which means we're now a week behind in jabs, he was meant to get them done last week but couldn't. So this means that his interactions with other dogs have been slim (was hoping to get lots of interaction soon with puppy class). We're a small community round here and it turns out a lot of people don't actually get their dogs vaccinated :-\ One person does have fully vacc dogs however so yesterday we had a little get together. At first Seren was a little unsure, so I let him hide behind my legs, but then he got really into it. He wasn't yapping or jumping or anything, but just sniffing and being playful. The dogs were really chilled out and let him explore. Then a lurcher Alfie started to do something a bit odd - he started to growl at Seren, lightly but def a growl, whilst at the same time wagging his tail and kept going up to him in a playful way, but then would growl again. I don't have a lot of experience with dogs, and Alfie's owner said it was fine, but I dunno he was just giving mixed signals so I thought I'd calmly wrap it up, and all of a sudden Alfie 'went for' Seren. He didn't hurt him I just think it gave Seren a bit of a shock, and he was a little timid. I just calmly got between him and Alfie and blocked Alfie, who was still seeming playful but a bit too dominant? I took Seren outside and popped him down with another dog who is like a grandad so the experience ended well in the end, I guess ??? But what was Alfie's behaviour about? Have tried to read up about it but it just seems a bit weird - if Seren was too in his face then why did Alfie keep going up to him to instigate interaction full of positive body language, then suddenly stiffen and growl, etc? The whole growling thing didn't last long as obvsiously this was a warning signal to me, and I guess Seren didn't fully get that. Hmph, hope it doesn't give Seren a lurcher phobia! On the plus side it turns out the yorkie next door is also fully vaccinated now so Seren enjoys playing with him against the fence
Re: Introducing to dogs... It's really hard to tell without seeing it - but the thing that struck me when I was reading all of your post was, given the community you live in, Alfie probably isn't very well socialised to small puppies. The whole "tolerance of puppies" thing only applies to well socialised dogs - well socialised with other dogs in general, and with small puppies. So it's possible Alfie was just confused. Either he plays in a growly way with other adult dogs (lots of dogs do) and thought a play fight like this was appropriate for a small puppy too, or he was just so unsure of the puppy he was reacting inappropriately. I'm glad it ended well with a positive interaction for Seren. I have to say, I took Charlie to puppy class the day after his first vaccination. I think the risk of having a poorly socialised dog vastly outweighs the risks of contracting a terrible disease....
Re: Introducing to dogs... Thanks JulieT - it's interesting you mentioned the vaccination/puppy class thing, as the guy who runs the puppy class said puppies come after their first vaccination. However when I mentioned this to my vet she said that I "would be crazy" to take my pup anywhere public until a week after his second jabs ??? I thought it best to er on the side of caution after my vet's stern warning, but now we're behind on the jabs I'm starting to have second thoughts... I think you're right about Alfie not being a well socialised dog. Her other dogs are just lovely, but he's not quite 'right' if you know what I mean..The owner didn't really bat an eyelid when Alfie went for Seren, and said it's all fine, but I think I'll keep them separate and just try and socialise him with better balanced dogs. Thanks for the advice
Re: Introducing to dogs... When mine are off lead I let them meet other off lead dogs on their own terms. They learn 'dog' language really quickly and soon learn to avoid the growlers, yappers and snappers. It's the best way imo. If the other dog is on lead I always put mine on - mainly because mine are so playful and bouncy. Yesterday I didn't see the on lead dog and he was very, very vicious - baring teeth, snarling, snapping, he would have gone for them. But my two saw his reaction and gave him a very wide berth, no problem. They have learned, from experience, to speak DOG really well indeed. Letting them make their own decisions who to play with and who to avoid off-lead is the way to go. They have puppy licence up to 6 months ish and will learn well in that period.
Re: Introducing to dogs... [quote author=Boogie link=topic=9900.msg143756#msg143756 date=1423995188] They have puppy licence up to 6 months ish and will learn well in that period. [/quote] They only have puppy licence with well socialised dogs though, not poorly socialised dogs who may not recognise this.
Re: Introducing to dogs... Morning, my 11 week old puppy had her second lot of vaccinations dead on 10 weeks so we have been going out for short walks to the green opposite my house. She has meet about 6 different dogs now. She can be very timid and at other times really playful. One little Westie just kept growling and I moved away. Not sure she had ever been socialised properly. I have just been told by a lady that never ever lets her springer spaniel off the lead and if another dog comes within a hundred yards she lies flat on the ground scared that my puppy has no confidence and has problems!! I'm actually cross as I think she is the one with problems. Mabel then met a massive Labradodle and was fine. I'm starting puppy classes at the end of the month. Can't wait. The other thing I have done is let her off the lead if the other dog is running free, and put back on the lead if she has met a dog also on the lead. It's such early days and she is a puppy but I'm determined to have a happy well trained dog.
Re: Introducing to dogs... [quote author=Sally C link=topic=9900.msg143742#msg143742 date=1423992623] However when I mentioned this to my vet she said that I "would be crazy" to take my pup anywhere public until a week after his second jabs ??? [/quote] It is difficult, and there is a risk so you have to decide what you are happy with. But, if I were a vet with expensive professional liability risks, I'd say don't take your puppy out either. You could try to sue your vet if you followed advice to take you puppy out, and it turned out badly, it's a lot more difficult to blame them if your dog turns out to be badly socialised. My vet told me about the risks, then wrote me a note that said "this puppy appears to be in good health and has had its first vaccination" and the local puppy class asked to see the note as we arrived...there were about 6 very young puppies, all who had been sent along to puppy class early by the same vet...
