Made some doggy friends!

Hi all,

Since we have been lucky enough to have Misty we have never let her off lead completely as I've always been terrified by her running off as she is great with recall when it's only her but if there it's a dog anywhere near she would run. Well, I can't believe im even writing this now but Sunday night we went to a park and met a lovely lurcher. She came up to Misty very politely and Misty responded so well. We met the lurcher again later in and the lady with her and I started talking. The dog was called Tilly and her recall wasnt great. Misty and her got on so well that i decided to just let her play. I dropped the lead and the two had a whale of a time, running around and loving it. It was such a wonderful experience for me to see my baby having a wonderful game of chase with another dog. Well we went back Monday night hoping to meet  Tilly again, sadly she wasn't there. We spent a while walking and Misty was definitely looking for her new  friend. We were walking and I saw a dog on a lead, my first thought was the dog must be in training. We met at a junction in the park and both dogs sniffed each other then started having a little bark and trying to run but as they were both on leads they couldn't. The couple with the dog said he was a staffy x chow chow called Mac and her was only six months old. They asked if I wanted to walk with them so the dogs could be together. I was a little hesitant as they were both having a bark but I decided why not. So for the first time ever I took Mistys lead off in a park. Well both dogs went crazy, they loved it, they were chasing each other, knocking each other over just having a wonderful time. It was wonderful, I've never seen Misty chase a dog off lead. It was wonderful, they never went too far from us and, now this is where I learnt a brilliant lesson. The lady had a whistle with her which she blew if they went too far, Misty responded instantly to that whistle and came back brilliantly. She was great, she did go over to some teenagers who were playing frisby, they were great though, I did apologise and when she went over again Mac went and herded her back. It was an instant friendship with these two. It's crazy, even the couple with Mac said it's like these dogs have grown up together, can't believe they only met twenty minutes ago. It was wonderful, so we went back last night. As soon as the dogs saw each other they were desperate to play. I took Misty off lead straightaway and off they went. They didn't go far and now I have my own whistle she came back when needed. They were so funny just running into each other, knocking each other over etc. They were in mid play and a tiny little Yorkie comes over to join. Well they all had a little sniff then Mac got so excited as he wanted the Yorkie to chase him he got a bit over excited so the Yorkie told him off and put him in his place. Then Misty tried to entice chase and again she got told off. All the owners were just stood round laughing at this tiny little dog putting two much bigger excitable dogs in their place. It was great! Misty and Mac then spent ages just playing with each other, if one stopped the game for a sniff the other would run and sniff the exact same area. It's like they are best friends. They do play rough though, Macs new game was grabbing Mistys cheek and hanging on. However she never once cried or tried to get away else I would have jumped in. When he stopped and let her go she would just run straight back at him and they would have another play. They do show each other their teeth but I really think this is all play. Neither has once cried or yelped and both stop regularly for food treats or some water. I checked Mistys cheeks when we got home and there are no marks whatsoever so even though it looked painful it must of been very gentle and just play. We are going back again tonight, can't wait

Rough play is good, and it's great to hear of such a mixed bunch enjoying themselves like this.

So, so happy for you! Sounds wonderful

Thanks both, I just wanted to double check that the rough play was ok. I know she was loving it and I really liked the way they both calmed down when they were told off by the Yorkie. Mac is such a little star I'm so happy they have got so close. It was all Misty could do last night to jump on the bed she was so tired

Sounds great and playmates are always excellent

Aww this is brilliant! So glad Misty has found some lovely woofy friends.

Knox used to play with a Greyhound, a Jack Russell and a Collie - they looked like an unlikely foursome but they all had a great time chasing each other all together

Great mistys met some new friends emma other people say "its only a dog" they don't realise they become part of your lives.

Oh yes Crystal I couldn't agree more. She is my life, it's so nice to see her running and making friend's

Pleased me when mia first made friends with the downstairs cat this cat always knew the difference between mia and the other sbt in the block he always had his claws ready for the other dog. There is a spaniel cross lab the cat used to chase up the carpark .

It is great to see isn't Emma. They do feel your apprehension when on the lead and learning what is play and what's a warning is quiet hard with Staffies. My OH is now comfortable with Flo off lead but will use her Stix to distract her whenever a dog comes near (Which is fine I guess) but I let her play. The teeth showing is completely normal as is some of the noises they make.

It was funny the other night in the park when we converged with two other walkers with a variety of dogs between them, Flo was totally fine but a small westie told all the dogs off it's always the little ones that make the most noise

Fantastic news, it's so great when they meet another dog(s) they really gel with. Lurchers are fantastic for getting rid of the zoomies.

^ Gizmo regularly gets schooled by a papillion-chiuaua cross about the size of his head. She's the boss of everyone though

Oh I do love thinking about all our staffs getting told of by little ones. Well tonight was a bit horrible, went to meet Mac who I'm convinced is Mistys other half. They adore each other. Well they were having a play and then they both saw a staffy off lead with his owners. I remembered him from the other day when he came over to Misty very politely but then they both didn't like each other but I hoped it was because she was on lead that time and he wasn't. They went up to him tonight and he was ok with Mac but he just went for Misty. He started barking and trying to bite her II blew the whistle but she didn't come then his owner just completely lost it. She started hitting him with the tennis ball launcher she had in her hand. I don't think she hit Misty and both my friend and  Macs owners said she didn't. I ran to grab her but then Misty ran away and he followed then it got quite nasty, I could tell misty was scared, she didn't react at all she was just cowering . So i managed to grab her and he went, it was horrible i was so upset. I have no idea why the owner just went crazy. Well after that we out the dogs on leads to make sure they didn't go up again, we took them off when he had gone. Misty seemed completely fine afterwards, her and Mac had a nice meeting with a black lab and what i think was a boxer cross mastiff. Mac and her played mostly grappling on the floor tonight and she loved him, he went really submissive tonight giving her his belly. Its great to see them together. Well I took her home and have seen about five puncture marks on her cheek and chin. They have drawn blood but are not bleeding now. These are definitely from the staff not Mac as yesterday they played far rougher and she had no marks whatsoever from him. I do understand that if the staff and her were really fighting she will have had a lot worse then a few puncture marks. Its upset me so much, I can't believe the women hit her dog, I really hopeshe didn't get misty at all, I've been told she didn't but still it's upsetting me. Macs owners said they have met him once before and he growled at Mac at the owner just said it's cause he had his toy with him. I'm going to meet Mac again tomorrow but must admit I'm not really looking forward to going there in case he is there again. I'm hoping that Misty wouldn't go over to him again but tonight both were not as reactive as they have been previously to the whistles. Thinking about my poor little girls beautiful face being hurt is really making me upset but Misty isn't even making a fuss or anything, she's laid out next to me on the bed now fast asleep.

This will happen !... Owners that don't or haven't bothered to put the effort in to socialising will always be a problem which is why we advocate socialising so much on the forum Emma.

Quiet evident was the lack of control by the other Staff owner, to hit the dog is so clearly wrong, again, bad training.

Misty will learn as you do, don't worry too much about bad interactions, they really are the exception and the more confident you become the more relaxed and confident Misty will be. I know it's easy for me to say but two Staffies in I'm more than happy to know that with good training they are safe and confident. Youre more than half way there with knowing how Misty reacts

Thanks Ian. I must admit I'm really dreading going to the park tonight in case we see them again. However like you say I'm determined not to panic or change plans. I know Mistys new best friend Mac will be there again and she loves playing with him I won't deny her the chance to see him again. I will just make sure she is on the lead until we are sure they are not in the park and if they come in then I'll pop her back on the lead. I'm hoping she would have the sense not to go over to him but I really don't know, she's such an easy going girl she might even though she was scared last night. I'm going to bite the bullet later and cook some chicken livers to take over with me for a high reward treat for recall just incase somehow the staff comes in and I dont notice. I checked her face this morning and she has healed up, just some fur missing over the places now. She was the same on our early morning walk today, wanting to meet the few dogs we did see. I can't wait for the training lessons so she can learn to ignore dogs and not rush to meet everyone she sees. Can't wait till tonight's over just so I can stop imagining the worst!

How was the walk tonight Emma ?

I'm so happy you've found some playmates for Misty - this is exactly want I want to happen with Milo but NOT that awful woman with the snappy Staff scenario - how scary was that for you & Misty !

I've found a lovely lady who does doggy walking services and I've explained how I'm too scared to let Milo off lead to play as he might be too full on with other dogs - they may snap at him - and he'll get all defensive etc then both dogs get hurt? She's coming to meet him on Monday and we'll work on trying to recall him away when we need him.

I find I'm getting so fond of Milo I don't want anything to happen to him but he's a dog and he's got to go meet other dogs and get rid of that energy poor lad. Once I meet people and their dogs I can happily take him over the park every day like you and let him play.

Good luck

Hi Ian- well walk was great- I was very aprenhisive going but I thought she loves seeing Mac so much I had to go. Well we got in the park and immediatly I saw Mac and his mum and dad but they were in a group which I was pretty sure included the little staff. I remembered the women so I didnt go over- I didnt want to cause anything as it all seemed quiet. There were a couple of dogs I didnt recongise, the staff and Mac. I took Misty over the corner of the park and kept her on the lead. After about five minutes I saw the staff going over the other side so I went over to see Mac. He was now with a Black Lab and a Mastiff that Mac and Misty had met the night before. Misty was very grumpy with them- she would have a little sniff then a bark and a growl. I really dont know why she acted like it- she got on fine the previous night. Was bit embarrassing, everyone said maybe shes jealous as her boyfriend was with another women- We started talking about the night before and I said the staff had left marks on Misty. The women with the black lab and mastiff said was it a black staff. I said yes- she showed me her labs muzzle and he had marks over it- she said the staff had come up to him in another park and had a bit of a set to and like me she didnt see the marks until she got home. The man was with the staff at the time and just said its cause she is over protective with her ball. Macs owners then said that the staffy owner said to them that her dog was only protecting her toy when she went with Misty. Macs owners said if your dog is that protective maybe dont bring the toy to the park- they just said they always bring the toy. Misty didnt go for the toy-(im not saying Misty was perfect- she wasnt-she did go over to meet the staff first). I went home and told hubby and he said maybe they are just using the ball as an excuse? Anyway Misty and Mac had a wonderful time together- they just love it so much and Im so happy I can let her off lead when they are alone and she can have a good old run and chase and tumble with another dog.

Oh Jenny- I completly know what you mean. We have had Misty 6 months and its only since Monday Ive actually been brave enough to let her off the lead. We do have a long line we would use when the parks were quiet and she was really responsive but if another dog was near she would defintely run to them and I didnt want that as you can never tell if the other dogs are ok and some dont want a crazy energtic dog bounding up to them and demanding they play chase. She is still learning her doggy manners. Ive signed her up for some classes beginning on the 11th and hopefully she will get her recall to 100% (although Ive found she is very responsive to a whistle) and also she will learn how to ignore dogs and not go charging up to them but only say hello if they come to her. You will be fine- I never thought this time last week that I would be taking Misty to the park and letting her completly off the lead. I think it all comes with time x

Emma, did you have a long line for Misty? Might be an idea if her recall is hit and miss? Sometimes people panic in a dog fight, and it sounds like the lady panicked a little? But probably best to keep Misty under control if there are other dogs about that she might not get on with

You did the right thing keeping away until you knew it was ok Emma. I'm still watchful with Flo and I don't think you ever stop learning about them

Sometimes dogs react differently to different dogs depending on what the other dog is like .

Hi Rachel, I do have a long line I used to use with Misty but this week since she met Mac I've taken it off and just let her play. They really rough and tumble abit and I just didn't want either to get caught up in the line. Do you think I should put her back on it when she sees him and I let her off? Its only when we meet up with him that I let her off the lead and normally there are very few if any dogs left in the park.

Mistys Mum wrote:Oh Jenny- I completly know what you mean. We have had Misty 6 months and its only since Monday Ive actually been brave enough to let her off the lead. We do have a long line we would use when the parks were quiet and she was really responsive but if another dog was near she would defintely run to them and I didnt want that as you can never tell if the other dogs are ok and some dont want a crazy energtic dog bounding up to them and demanding they play chase. She is still learning her doggy manners. Ive signed her up for some classes beginning on the 11th and hopefully she will get her recall to 100% (although Ive found she is very responsive to a whistle) and also she will learn how to ignore dogs and not go charging up to them but only say hello if they come to her. You will be fine- I never thought this time last week that I would be taking Misty to the park and letting her completely off the lead. I think it all comes with time x

Wow that's amazing and I'm dead jealous (only in a nice way lol). Now you can really enjoy your walks every day. It must be fantastic to get to the park and release your dog to go play with others, but there will always be other dog owners (I can't blame the dogs) that may cause problems and that's why I really want to sort his 'distraction' recall out. Fine if he's on his own but once he sees another dog in the distance - that's it - everything in his mind is gone except play -play -play grrrr !!! Maybe shaking a plastic bottle with stones in then rewarding with sausage or chicken chunks when he comes to me would help.

I simply want to meet other doggy people on the park, walk round with them while the dogs play and go crazy. I think I would stay out all morning if that happens lol.

How did you get on today Emma? Any better ??

Niffer wrote: I really want to sort his 'distraction' recall out. Fine if he's on his own but once he sees another dog in the distance - that's it - everything in his mind is gone except play -play -play grrrr !!!

That is my dream too!! I only let her off completely with Mac otherwise I know she would be up to every dog/person/tree she sees  
If I got to any place or park without Mac she only goes on the long line if I know no one else is there. Im sure one day we will get there!

Niffer wrote:How did you get on today Emma? Any better ??

Well I made it rain all day yesterday from 9am until at least midnight so we didn't get to go out. Yes I do have the power to make it rain. Misty HATES the rain and its all I can do to get her to go to the loo so we had no chance getting her out yesterday. When she asked to go for a walk I would take her to the garden so she could see the rain. The looks she gave me said 'Why did YOU make it rain mummy?' Ive never felt so guilty for something I have no control of

We have been out a few times today so shes happy again now- will be heading to the park around half eight/nine tonight. If Macs there and no other dogs Ill let her off again. Im going to start using the dog whistle around the house to get her used to coming to me when she hears it- at the moment shes more responsive to the normal whistle.

Guide dogs use a dog whistle for recall and meal times it s very effective.

Ah I never knew that Crystal. She was really good on the whistle. Until tonight, we went to the park but Mac wasn't there, I had a feeling he might not be as it's a Saturday night. So we walked around for a bit on the normal lead. Then after everyone had left we were a bit naughty and took the lead off so we could have a play with her using the whistle and calling her between us. All was going well for about ten minutes then she just ran like the wind and ignored both the dog whistle and normal whistle hubby had and ignored us shouting. So I ran after her and saw her with a little westie. It looked like they were just saying hello to each other, I couldn't see the westies owner's anywhere, they certainly weren't close to their dog. Eventually Misty came back but I was quite upset. She had been doing so well but I take full responsibility she's only doing what comes naturally ie wanting to meet and play with doggies. It's just I'm so aware that not all dogs want to play and don't want her running up to them. She's completely different when she has Mac around. They just play with each other, it's when she's alone she runs off. Lesson learnt for me, the long line will be back on always now, even when she's with Mac.

It takes time Emma, it took me nearly two years to get the trust with Flo but we are there now but had many frought walks before we got there. Don't let it get you down, you will get there

Thanks Ian! You are right it will just take time, she is doing so well considering how she was when we she first came to us. I shouldn't try to rush things.

Have faith, as the trust builds you won't even realise how much off lead time you give until it suddenly dawns on you

Emma it's wonderful to see them running around after each other isn't it, when I see Gordon running around with his friend I cant stop smiling, just keep being consistant with the training, she will get there

Im after some more advice please people. Well as you know Misty is completely in love with Mac and he with her. They run together, walk together and sniff together- its adorable to see! However we had a few days off as Friday it rained literally all day and she wont go out in the rain, Saturday night we went to the park but he wasnt there and Sunday I took her to a different park. Well Sunday morning we took her out to a nice park with a lake so she could have a nice walk (on the normal lead) a gorgeous Lab came up to her, very politely, very calmly and they sniffed noses. Misty was fine but when the lab went to leave she did a little quick jump type move (as if to initiate play) on the labs back (it wasnt humping) and the lab was so shocked it gave a yelp which made me feel AWFUL. The guy with the lab laughed but the women made a comment about our dog not liking dogs. I didnt correct her as if her dog made my dog yelp I wouldnt be happy either. That night I took her to another local park by myself and again we met a lovely well behaved grey/black dog I think it might have been a mongrel. This dog was lovely, he lay on the floor when he saw Misty and came up very calmly, they had a sniff of noses then he sniffed her underneath which I dont think she likes that much but she tolerated it. Then when he turned to leave she did the little jump thing- shes so fast when she does it I cant accuratly describe it. Again this dog was a bit shocked by it, luckily again the guy with the dog just laughed and I said she just wants to play chase. Last night we went to see Mac but I kept her on the normal (not long) lead and we just walked around the park. Now my question is, tonight Im going to put her on a long line and let her run and play with Mac. However we are going to the park earlier as its getting dark earlier now and that means there will be more dogs in the park. If Mac goes up to say hello to another dog do I let her follow or do I get the long line and hold her back. I really dont know what to do- when I first got her I was very very scared of her with other dogs as she used to be very scared and would bark at them but got great advice on here saying just let her meet otherwise I will be telling her that other dogs are a problem which I defintely dont want.So Ive let her meet dogs and all has been wonderful (apart from the incidnent with the staff above)  However if I let her meet other dogs is she going to do this jumpy type thing which other dogs dont appreiciate- Im very concerned that she might do it to the wrong dog and get herself in trouble. Also I dont want her to be the irritating dog in a park full of well behaved dogs ( they are not all well behaved but you know what I mean!) Is there any way I can teach her doggy manners or will she just learn when other dogs dont do what shes wants (ie chase her).

I await the answer with baited breath Misty as Milo is a bit like this. He'll try to hump when he gets a little stressed and that can make the other dog kick off so to speak ;(....oh why can't things be 'simples' lol. Misty doesn't sound at all aggressive so that's good - but I do know how you're feeling. I haven't even been as brave as you yet apart from the odd occasion when it was fabulous to see them play and then just one thing happens to un-nerve you and its back to square one again.

Exactly Jenny! I only let her off when she's with Mac but I'm still going to use the long line tonight as there will be many dogs in the park and I'm sure she would do a runner and her selective deafness is very complete. I suppose if we wanted easy we would have got gold fish but wouldnt it be wonderful to have a bit of simples.

hi emma id wait and see intead of letting misty run and greet the other dog wait and let the other dog see her and use the long line hun. the other dog may tell her off if he goes too far but you will usually guess given the other dog body language misty will come on in leaps and bounds once the puppy classes come into play as she will get her socialisation up to scratch with all different breeds of dogs not just a particular breed

Thanks Crystal. Well we have had a horrible 48 hours. I got home on Tuesday night and normally Misty greets me with enough kisses and cuddles to last at least 15 minutes. Tuesday night - she came to see me but didnt kiss me and just had a quick cuddle. I said to hubby whats wrong- he said shes been a bit quiet for a bit- well later that night she was still quiet and wouldnt take any treats from us which is unheard of. She is a little gannet normally. We decided to leave her alone as she was acting a bit funny to hubby- she didnt want to talk to him and just wanted to cuddle me. Well I decided not to take her to the park if she wasnt feeling well and to only go for a walk if she asked me to go. Well she started making it clear at 8pm she would like to go out. I took her out the house and we walked for a bit and she perked right up. I met my friend and we decided to go to the park but keep her on a normal lead even if Mac is there. Mac wasnt there but as I always give her treats while walking I saw that she would only take a treat very very gently from my hand and only on one side of her mouth- she was almost licking the treat up, but apart from that she seemed much happier. As the other dog was there that had a go at her we decided to leave the park and go to another one nearer my house. She loved it in there-I kept her on the normal lead though didnt use a long line. She met a lab which did have a bark at her but I think it was a hello type bark but it just sounded quite deep, she didnt bark back so I thought maybe she is feeling better. I was trying to rack my brains to think what was up with her when she jumped up at me and I looked her straight on and could see her muzzle was swollen on one side. Then it popped in my head- oh she must of been stung by a bee- she has bothered them ever since they have been about- Ive told her so many times not to but she ignores it. That would also make sense why she is off with hubby as he said he took her to the garden at 5 but was talking to the neighbour over the fence so he wasnt keeping his eyes on her fully (tut tut naughty hubby). Well we went home and she went to sleep on our bed quite early (about 9pm) then yesterday- we woke up- still no Misty kisses she was eating her meals fine but didnt want treats. I went to work and hubby was keeping me informed throughout the day- she slept most of the day on our bed. She never does this in the day if she wants to sleep she sleeps in the front room where hubby is. He rang me at 4.15 yesterday and said she has come into see him for cuddles but he thinks her breathing is shallow. So I ring the vets and luckily we can get in there at 4.40, hubby goes straight there and I get there five minutes later. The vet cant say for sure whats up. She cant see a sting mark in her mouth or outside. She picked Mistys scabs off from the bite(they were nearly off anyway so it didnt hurt her) as the vet wanted to see underneath. She said that looked a little bit gloopy but nothing too bad. Misty was a star letting her look in her mouth at her gums and teeth etc etc. Her temperature was the high end of normal which the vet said she would expect from a dog thats a bit stressed (Misty wet herself twice in the vets poor little baby). She gave her a anti inflammantory injection and we have another appointment to go back today if either she is the same or worse but if she is back to normal then we should cancel the appointment. However woke up today and I was covered in kisses!!! YIPPEEE hubby is walking her now and said she is a lot better- shes been kissing him and wanting cuddles again so he is so much happier( he was really really upset when he thought he had done something or she was blaming him for her being in pain- she is the apple of his eye) I really dont know what it was but my girl was defintely feeling bad yesterday. We are going to give it another hour then make a call on whether to cancel the vets later. I feel like we live at the vets nowadays!! Even the receptionist said that she wasnt herself yesterday as she didnt go and say hello to them like usual and they hope she gets better soon.

emma how did misty get on at the vets ? from reading your post i wonder i misty has been stung by a nettle ? if the vet said she couldnt see a sting perhaps was a nettle in the park.

Oh no! First thing that sprung to my mind is her teeth? Are they all okay?

Hi Crystal,Rachel, well yesterday she was so much better. Hubby took her to the park in the morning and said she was back to herself, taking treats wanting cuddles and kisses. We decided to cancel the second vets appointment as the vet said cancel if she gets better. So we are giving her the antibiotic tablets from the vet, have three days left now. She is so much better, her muzzle has gone right down back to normal and she is eating like always and she is back to being our shadow. Hubby said when he was walking her to the park she was sniffing the flowers along the path and she saw a bee and didn't try to eat it just watched it. This makes me think it could have been a bee but it's strange that it affected her for so long. I did think it might be her teeth aswell Rachel but I looked and couldn't see anything obvious and the vet had a look but didn't see anything. It's a strange one but I'm so happy my baby is better now. Took her for a lovely long walk down the river last night and she loved it. Met an idiot guy with a husky who had a go at her then the guy let the dog come to us a second time, unbelievable. We met some lovely dogs fter though so it didn't upset her to much which was great. Thanks for your comments as always!

Sounds like mistys been lucky emma. Ah theres always one to spoil a walk the neds seem to have opted more for japanese akitas huskys but for years it was staffys glad shes back to her usual happy self

Thanks Crystal, yes it's lovely to have her firing on all cylinders again.

They do worry us don't they. It really is quiet a mystery Emma, you would think a sting would settle fairly quickly but I guess like humans, they are all different. My Flo got stung on the nose while retrieving her Stix once but that just irritated her so I think your probably right about a bee or wasp.

Pleased she's back to normal now and it sounds like your coming on leaps and bounds with reading her body language. Not sure what to suggest about the leaping thing after the initial hello other than remove her before she gets the chance to do it maybe.