I am worried about doing this because I am his pack leader and I feel like he doesn't need to run free with other dogs to socialize also if one of the bigger pups attacks him he may be dog aggressive for the rest of his life.
My question is what is your veiw do you think it is a good idea for all the pups be thrown in a pen together? Or should I just skip it and go straight into the obedience? Do you think it would harm his socialization if he was or wasn't allowed to free range with other pups?
Dog Behavior: Finding the Right Motivations for Your Dog Training Program
Recommended Answer:
Sadly many puppy kindergarten classes are focusing more on puppy play than on puppy training. You might want to look for another class where the focus is more on training your puppy to work for and with you than on puppy play. I have always done puppy play at the end of my classes instead of at the beginning. I feel that puppies need to learn to focus on their owners instead of on each other. I also use the puppy play to teach the owners how to call their puppy out of a group. If the puppy learns to come out of a group of playing puppies than recall problems are almost non-existant later on in life as the puppy has learned that he doesn't have a choice not to come.
Keeping Your Pet Dog Trained
- It would pretty much kill any sort of socializing he may get if he didn't go. He needs to meet a lot of new people and a whole lot of new dogs so that's he social and friendly, instead of aggressive and fearful.
No, they wouldn't socialize from different packs. But unless this puppy has a whole lot of other puppy friends at home, he doesn't have much of a pack at all. He's like one child in an entire grade- with a chance to socialize at recess. - Puppies love to play with each, but need to be matched by age and size. Also, the dogs should be introduced one at a time to each other and I would be very concerned about putting all together at one time.
I would not worry about the pack leader role as with young children they play together yet still recognize their parents as the leaders of the family. - Most of these classes are one or two days a week, for a hour or so at a time. Allowing such brief interaction will not hurt your family or 'pack' bond. Particularly since your dog is a hunting breed, bred to work in a pack with other dogs, this socialization should be beneficial. However each pup is different, and while some may relish this play time, not all pups will. Let your pup 'tell' you what he wants and by all means, make sure ALL the pups are good natured and of similar size, and certainly not 'bullies'.
- Not at 12 weeks. Your puppy has not finished it's full round of shots.
16 weeks.
I don't like the idea of taking a puppy that young anywhere other than my home until shots are finished.
You can start simply obedience training at home. There will be plenty of time for socialization after he is 4 months.
Simple obedience is very easy to teach. - it is indeed a good idea, it makes the puppy dog friendly to other dogs. my dog isnt dog friendly, it bites and fights to any other dog nearby and that is because its used to being the only dog and she wants it to stay that way. dont spoil your dog by letting it be the only dog around or it wont be son friendly to other dogs and it will fight, like mine. i say let the pup do the training.
hope i helped - I recently had my puppy in obedience class, and it helped her so much. The trainer should separate the puppies if they start really fighting, but otherwise, puppies playing together is a MUST for growing puppies. It helps them understand how to act around other puppies and dogs. You should definetly let your puppy play.
- I think the early socialization with other puppies will be very good for your puppy. You will still be your dog's pack leader since you are the one it will spend the most time with.Beverly
- I see no problem with it. In fact, if the trainer has everything under control and does proper introductions with each pup BEFORE letting them all loose, i find it a good idea.
My pup did the same thing (unleashed play times with five or more pups) and she turned out just fine. In fact, it taught her how plenty of good dog manners (such as not rushing up to another dog to play without sniffing first.)
You have to understand: Dogs are NOT wolves. Period. Yes they share some of the same behaviors and characteristics, but not ALL of them. If all dogs where exclusive to their one pack we would have a bunch of aggressive animals running around, yes?
Again: Dogs should NOT be exclusive to ONE pack - that is how aggressive, territorial, and possessive dogs are created. Your puppy needs time to socialize with other pups so he/she can learn the basics of dog body language so they know how to play, how to "talk", how to interact, etc.
Yes there will be squabbles. Yes there may be a few incidents. But that is how puppies learn each others limits and boundaries. By not allowing them that you are not allowing social behavior and you are ENCOURAGING anti-social. Meaning there will be a higher chance of aggression later on in life. - Yes, it is a great idea to socialise your pup with other dogs.
No, it is not a good idea to socialise him in a free-for-all environment.
All pups benefit from socialisation at an early age, in fact they should start socialisation as early as possible. The risks of not being fully vaccinated are far outweighed by the socialisation benefits, of course all sensible precautions should be taken like not letting the pup socialise with unvaccinated adults, not letting the pup run on grassy areas that are frequented by lots of dogs, not letting the dog into a vet clinic that has not been cleaned well previously.
Dogs also learn from appropriate dog-dog socialising, they learn what play is appropriate, they learn bite inhibition and they learn self control. This can all help in dog-human interaction.
If you do not socialise your pup with other dogs then you run the risk of him being scared of other dogs, this can result in fear aggression or nervous behaviours. Even i you feel that he may not play with other dogs in the future you will not be able to avoid other dogs all the time. When you come across other dogs while you are walking you want him to be comfortable and at ease around them. If dog-dog socialisation is done well at an early age it reduces the risk of dog-dog issues in the future.
Puppy socialisation in a puppy class done sensibly should allow times for the pups to become familiar with each other from a distance. If there are large breeds and small breeds they should be separated for off lead time. If there are shyer dogs they should be allowed off lead before the more confident dogs. Only two dogs at a time should be off lead until it is clear that all dogs are behaving confidently and playing appropriately. Any inappropriate play (mounting, hard biting, pinning another puppy down) should be stopped immediately and the offending puppy put on lead until it calms down.
In many classes it will not be appropriate even after lots of socialising that all pups are off lead together, often the mix of pups just does not work this way. A good puppy class will be run so that all pups have off lead time around the other dogs (unless there is any serious dog agro from any pup, if this is the case the pup should be removed from class and taught in a different environment).
I'd suggest that if you feel the puppy class you are attending does not offer appropriate off lead puppy play then you find another class.
Good luck, pointer pups are adorable.
No comments:
Post a Comment