socialising

Hi,
We have had a Lou a year now, and we do still try to socialise her with other dogs, letting her sniff and meet them on walks..but she is still not to be trusted. She can be ok with some but not others, there is no pattern neither.

At our local park, a lot of dog walkers get together every day and just let their dogs run around together off lead, its lovely to see and would love for Lou to join in, its great fun and lots of exercise.. so we went down and I kept her on lead to see how she would react, and she was a bit growly when the other dogs came over to her. The other owners were saying that she was being like that cos she was still on lead, and to let her off and 'see what happens'...this mortifies me as I would be devastated if she attacked another dog or got hurt herself. So it was suggested we get a muzzle for her. So I went and bought one and went the next day. Im not a fan of muzzles as in she wouldn't be able to defend herself if another dog attacked. But it made sense to see how she would be off lead with these dogs, they all seem like really good dogs, well they would have to be being off lead together. Sometimes there are around 10-15 dogs all running around together.

So I put it on her and ler her off, she chased a greyhound for the first 5 mins, she didn't catch it obviously, but then she managed to get the muzzle off her nosed, I got to her before she realised and tightened it and put her back on lead. But when another dog came over I just felt she was too rough, like a staffy in a china shop.

I've been too scared to try again, should I just knock it on the head and stop trying? She ok with both my brothers dogs, but only on lead, walkin side by side...

Sorry its such an essay

Yes stick with it a great bit of fun and exercise for her, I am not a fan of muzzles either but at first wouldn't hurt you may find after a while she would be fine without it.  

sTIcK WITH iT>

IF sHE ENjoYs HErsElF WiTH THE MuzzlE oN THeN MayBe SooN YOU'LL BE abLE to Take iT oFF>

sorRY aboUT thE tYpING:cry: 

a proper fitting muzzle won't easily come off, what sort did you get?

I love Chance's muzzle and i have no problem with them what so ever, gives me peace of mind, that he really can't hurt another dog, but as he's a large dog he could still defend himself without the need for teeth!

Did you muzzle associate her before putting it on? Might make her feel a bit happier about having it on.. I had to train Biscuit with hers before about 2 weeks before she accepted it.

All good advice above Mrs McF. It can indeed happen that some dogs go into "defensive aggressive" mode when on the lead; I guess they feel a bit trapped!

You are SO lucky to have a group of people who let their dogs all run around and play together, and even more so in that they are willing to keep trying with Lou to integrate her into the happy group, so do stick with it !

V jealous, would live to do that we also gave a Group of dog walkers and there are about 8 dogs chasing each other, sadly we have to be at the other side of the park, I just wouldn't trust Oz off lead at all muzzled or not I think he would try and have a go or bomb off,good job he is happy to play with sticks by himself and it's safer that way

thanks everyone...I think I will keep trying with her...as it is something I would love her to be able to carry on doing.

Are you able to video her while you are at the park with her playing with the other dogs ? This is a great way to watch back and see how her body language changes throughout the play time. This is something we have done with Rocky and it has been very beneficial.

Which muzzle did you get, I've got the baskerville ultra for Lola, she wears it off lead. I would persevere