original post from posted 06-05-2002 06:08 PM
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I have a situation with behavior in the same vein, but, just the opposite direction, my dog is submissive. As a puppy she seemed good, confident, but, I had a next door neighbor who had 2 older-stronger dogs, and they played allot together because the neighbor just loved it. I also thought it was fun for the dog and great exercise, but, often they dominated her, I had no idea this could be harmful, now she seems to greet all dogs with tail tucked. Specifically (how do I socialize), can I socialize the dog through this and overcome it? Step by step, how would I do it?
I think the answer is in the question! You say your dog played with 2 older stronger dogs? Well I would be inclined to socialise it with some smaller weaker dogs to build confidence. Beware though smaller is not always less dominant, I have a Terrier that rules over my GSD's. Good Luck!
Socialization with people and other dogs is a good thing....BUT it needs to be on your terms. YOU control how often and how long you let your pup remain in any environment, not someone else who thinks it is a good idea or it is cute to let his older, bigger and stronger dogs run all over your pup. Your puppy being dominated by those two older dogs is something that it will probably never forget...much like if a pup is attacked by another dog. Whwn dogs play together, owners need to watch for signs of "posturing" which is a sign of dominance.
I would suggest not letting your dog play with more than one dog at a time. The 2 dogs playing together with your dog were a "tag team", ganging up on your dog and intimidating her. Find a nice submissive or gentle dog around the same weight as your dog. I don't think the age really matters too much as long as the older dog is gentle and plays well. One on one is better.
I have a similar problem with my dog, but in the opposite direction. He is a bit dominant and plays rough, mostly I think because of genetics (his mother was a very dominant bitch) and partly because I let him play with a lot of other dogs often bigger than him. I've learned over the years that one on one play is much better. He doesn't get too full of himself and 2 or more dogs can't gang up on others. He has developed several nice doggy "friends" this way.
P.S. I also stopped going to the dog park 3 years ago. (I went for almost 2 years)
perhaps walking your dog on leash with a sociable and well behaved older or bigger dog would kind of distract her and let see the proximity of other dogs as something that is not a threat.
The walk is something pleasant and the other dog is there but acting correctly on leash, is not
confronting her or paying her a lot of attention.
Just being on the leash usually installs a little confidence in an unsure dog. Putting an unsure dog in a situation where she has to be on the
defensive is not a good idea and putting a pup in
with two obnoxious adults is a bad idea. Pups are by nature submissive to adults and any aggressive or dominating action on the part of the adult dog will bring this survival instinct out in a pup.
A walk on a leash in the company of well behaved adults or one on one visits with dogs that are well known to be very puppy sociable.
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