At our local park, there are a bunch of regulars, whose dogs are off lead and just mooch about. Two GSD, a Doberman, a Staffy pup and a Welsh Terrier (named Paddy - he has a complex!). These all want to play with my 18 week old Lab, and she wants to play with them. Whilst I know she is too young to run off the lead with them, my question is - is this a good way to introduce a young dog to running off the lead? She will be "with the pack" and, hopefully, easy to recall and catch if necessary. Needless to say, the other dogs are well trained, and will come to the whistle - they are not a pack of hooligan dogs, running riot through the park. My last dog would not go with the others, and would run off in the opposite direction, if let off the lead, and just run around on her own.
Re: Running with other dogs If you have access to a group of friendly dogs then I'd certainly let your pup mix with them off-lead. I let Molly off with other dogs as soon as she was allowed out, so from 13 weeks.
Re: Running with other dogs If they are friendly dogs and have good recalls I would let him. My dog walker uses Harley for training recall with dogs she looks after that don't have good recalls
Re: Running with other dogs I would definitley use this opportunity - sounds like you know the dogs and owners so it will be a very good experience for your pup. Especially at 18 weeks old, now she really does need to be suing with other dogs and learning what is ok and what is not in terms of doggy manners. The older dogs might tell her off a bit but this is ok as long as it's not too rough - they are just teaching her what is acceptable behavior and what's not.
Re: Running with other dogs I agree with the others that they sound like an ideal group for her to learn to play and interact with, and for you to practise recall. Obviously you don't want to completely exhaust her, but short sessions would be fine.
Re: Running with other dogs Yep. I would go for it. Using well behaved dogs to help with training is great. Plus awesome for socialising.
Re: Running with other dogs [quote author=Penny+Me link=topic=10411.msg153349#msg153349 date=1427873203] I would definitley use this opportunity - sounds like you know the dogs and owners so it will be a very good experience for your pup. Especially at 18 weeks old, now she really does need to be suing with other dogs and learning what is ok and what is not in terms of doggy manners. The older dogs might tell her off a bit but this is ok as long as it's not too rough - they are just teaching her what is acceptable behavior and what's not. [/quote] Definitely let her mix and play with the group, it's the best way for them to learn doggie manners. Juno was going on walks, off lead, with others dogs from around 14 weeks. Please be aware that the first few times they meet it may be noisy with older dogs half pinning your pup down and growling, but it sounds worse than it is and they are soon off running together.
Re: Running with other dogs Sounds like a perfect opportunity to socialise and practice your recall from other dogs.Id just keep an eye that she doesn't get too overwhelmed or over her excitement threshold ,give her breaks through the play session and enjoy,sounds like a really good group x
Re: Running with other dogs And I agree too! Go for it Take roast chicken and do lots of recalls, immediately letting your pup go off to play again after a treat.
Re: Running with other dogs Thanks everyone. Phew, I thought I was going to get it in the neck, but your replies have given me confidence. I will have to get them to move to the side of the park away from the pond, or she will be in it, first opportunity! It was the Staffy pup owner who gave me the idea, as the Staffy got away from him, and seemed to be having a great time - hopeless at recall though!
Re: Running with other dogs Tara was walking with her pal, Daisy, an 8 month old Golden Retriever, who was off lead. Tara obviously wanted to run with her, so we decided to have a go. Great fun, but although I called and whistled Tara, she would not recall. Daisy was recalled, and they both came back! Seems that Tara is happy to play, but does not want to recall when called. So it is back to the long line.
Re: Running with other dogs You'll get there! A good thing to do would be to have Daisy's humans call her, then as both dogs are running towards you, call Tara - that will reinforce the association between your recall cue and her coming back to you. Big treat when she gets to you. Don't bother giving your recall cue until you have her attention. On walks, do lots and lots of mini-recalls, even if she is 1m from you, so she has heaps of practice at giving your her attention and getting rewarded for it.
Re: Running with other dogs [quote author=Oberon link=topic=10411.msg157633#msg157633 date=1429484924] You'll get there! A good thing to do would be to have Daisy's humans call her, then as both dogs are running towards you, call Tara - that will reinforce the association between your recall cue and her coming back to you. Big treat when she gets to you. Don't bother giving your recall cue until you have her attention. On walks, do lots and lots of mini-recalls, even if she is 1m from you, so she has heaps of practice at giving your her attention and getting rewarded for it. [/quote] Great advice there! I'm working on recall at the moment with Bob. I've learned you need to make yourself as interesting as possible when they are off lead. Run in the opposite direction when she's coming back to you - the chase instinct will kick in. And have some super dooper jackpot treats to make it REALLY worth her while coming back! She'll realise that coming back to you is just as much fun as being with other dogs. Lou x
Re: Running with other dogs Cheers for that, will try and progress it. Today we met a choc Lab male, who is 3 weeks older, and off the lead. Manic puppy wrestling match, that just went on and on! I think a ringside bell would have been ignored, they were enjoying themselves so much!
Re: Running with other dogs Brilliant idea. I did the same with Bonnie at 13 weeks and she is wonderfully socialised. There's nothing better than seeing dogs playing together, is there? However I completely neglected to build in recall training and have had such a job to instil it around other dogs as she's grown bigger; so definitely mix it in to the play using others' advice (above). It's so useful to have 'time to play' and 'time to end' in your repertoire!
Re: Running with other dogs Sonny loves to play with other dogs especially other labs and collies, he is a bit uncertain with Yorkies and spanniels.
Re: Running with other dogs Today, she has mostly been running/puppy wrestling, with two Huskies, one Cocker, one Shitzu/poodle cross (you name that one!), and a full grown Lab. Still no recall! Wonder what she would be like on her own?
