Socialising

Ok, so Vinnie has this new thing recently where when he see's a dog he will bark and growl .. i dont no if its him being playful or whatever (i personally think it is ), but when it comes to socialising him alot of other dog owners are obviously hearing a growl and will think hmmmm! when letting there dogs come and say hello which i get! ... but he did this to another staffy when i was walking him the other day who was of his lead, but when the staffy was actually by vinnie he was fine, sniffing him, tail going mad etc etc .. but today there was another dog and he was doing it again which obviously upset the dog and the owner so another dog he couldnt meet, i was just wondering if this is common? if it is him just been playful and i can say to others its ok his just playful its not a mean growl
i really want him socialised as my previous one being a rescue was TERRIBLE! with other dogs, he was literally muzzled on his walks and had to be on a shortish lead alot of the time as he would go MENTAL! and i'd love him to be fine with others and be able to play etc.
Any ideas? ...

he hasnt met that many dogs purely because his not been walking outside long and theres not many dogs around here he could socialise with, we can take him the park but with the snow and him still been slowly reared from 15min walks obv we havnt took him down there yet as its about hlf hour walk lol

Vinnie is so young I really would not worry at the mo. With Moo, she is a nightmare on the lead but as soon as she is off she is great. I think to be honest Vinnie needs time to learn how to act infront of other dogs, you've had expeience before so keep doing what your doing and the more socialising the better. You will always get "offish" owners, well I always have, but hes just playing at the end of the day. I wouldn't worry personally, make sure you praise good behaviour and try not to react to the bad x

Ty was exactly the same always growling but he soon grew out of it and as janey said you do get some funny owners and as he gets older you will prob get this more thats what I find anyway when there pups there all over them but as soon as there bigger they walk in the opposite direction. But really wouldnt worry about the growling thing it will pass.

Thanks guys! .. yeaaa his growling we always find hes using it as like a greeting but obv alot people dont agree lol!
Thanks for the replys hopefully now the snow is shifting we can get him socialising alot more

I know the feeling with regards to the snow! Was fun for all of 30mins but I now have the bumps to show lol

Deano is doing the exact same thing at the moment, he lives with 2 other dogs, but when he is on his own, he gets nervous. I am quite lucky in the fact that I can take him to work with me and socialise him with friendly dogs, he has his grumble and bark and then plays with the dogs.

You should get him to training classes so he is around other dogs on a regular basis.

x

Yes, training classes would help a lot. Also, why not try to get to know one or two people in the park who have friendly dogs & ask them if they'll let you introduce him calmly & quietly to their dogs? On lead at first & if all looks well, then maybe a short spell off lead, or on a long line so that you still have control.

Thanks guys! .. we dont have many puppy classes around here sadly, i used to no of a local one but for some reason they dont do it anymore, my brother told me of a dog class that goes on where he plays rugby but obv his to young for them.
i no a few people with dogs so i will see wht i can do

Most training clubs will let you take your pup along to get used to everything going on around him before he's old enough to join in. It won't hurt to ask.

yhhh i've got my bro onto it lol googling local ones encase i missed one aswell

My vets does puppy partys only a fiver for 2 hour session! It was well worth it for kaos (although he was pretty good anyway). All the pups play and socialise its great x

Take care with any you do go to. Make sure that the people running it are properly qualified & know what they are doing. Don't be afraid to ask what qualifications they have for the job!

My vet has a "puppy preschool for pups and kids"...
It helps them learn about their puppies and how to care for them.. simple commands like sit and stay... it is $88 for 4 weeks. ( 1 hour per week)
maximum of 5 puppies all have to have had their injections at the correct ages etc,
I am hoping that my son will want to get involved with this.

Great idea!! I'm all for anything that teaches children how to behave towards their own dogs & others!

Yeah I thought it was a great idea..

Maybe there is something like that for Vinnie?... maybe ask your vet and see if there are other dog owners that want to meet at the park once a week for a play??
Are you on FB?.. maybe post on there if anyone wants to meet for a doggy date?

Mel Skora wrote:Yeah I thought it was a great idea..

Maybe there is something like that for Vinnie?... maybe ask your vet and see if there are other dog owners that want to meet at the park once a week for a play??
Are you on FB?.. maybe post on there if anyone wants to meet for a doggy date?

Good idea, sure i' will try that! .. he met another staff today, no growling or barking went on he was as good as gold