Keiko (my Aussie puppy) is six months old now. At this point in time, she would like to say hello to every person she sees...which is OK but I prefer my dogs to be a little more reserved than that. I understand that as she matures, she will become a little less excited by other people and a little more focused on me. She is more focused on me now than she was a couple of months ago, of course. Yesterday we went out into the front yard to train and one of our new neighbors was standing outside. She "woofed" a few times at the lady but did not show insecure behavior (no hackles up, no avoidance behavior). I shushed her though. Now that I'm thinking back on it, I'm wondering - should I have shushed her? Or should I have just worked harder to distract her with what I wanted to do? I don't want her to react with barking at random people on the street just because she doesn't know them. But I also don't mind allowing her to develop more reserved behaviors than what she has now. Would you all have shushed your dog in this situation? After we finished our little training session and Keiko was not focused on the woman (though she was distracted during training, as can be expected) I allowed them to meet briefly. I have decided that I would like to be more proactive in not allowing people to pet her when I take her out...just to show her that every person we see does not have to give her attention as well as to reinforce that I am the most interesting thing in the environment!

What the heck is wrong with a dog with pup with an outgoing temperament? I see more and more of these types of posts and think it's kind of strange. Your dog sounds like it has a decent temperament and high thresholds, motivate the pup to focus on you. Want an anti-social, drivey dog? I have one you can have for free! lol. Train and Enjoy your pup and everything else will fall into place,

 Quote: Al Curbow

What the heck is wrong with a dog with pup with an outgoing temperament? I see more and more of these types of posts and think it's kind of strange.

I realize that I have a pup with an outgoing temperament and I don't think there's something wrong with that. I do have a dog with a poor temperament so I appreciate Keiko for what she is, trust me.

I suppose the attention I've given this and the driving force behind my post is this: previously you're told to let everyone and every dog meet your puppy and that is how your pup becomes socialized. But it seems that socialization is defined differently in the LB articles and that the way you achieve that (assuming you have a pup that is temperamentally sound) is by not allowing others to pet your puppy. My understanding of that is that the goal in doing this is to have a dog who finds you to be the most interesting thing in the room, always. I suppose when I sit and over-think this, I worry that somehow she will become a dog that is always wanting to run up to other people which I don't want. (I'm not saying that's a legitimate thought, just something that pops in my head.) I imagine the increasing posts you've seen on this topic from people who are new to Leerburg stem from something similar.

If my understanding of this is incorrect, what is the goal of taking your puppy out to places where people are but not allowing them to pet him/her?

 Quote: Jasmine Dillon

... to have a dog who finds you to be the most interesting thing in the room, always. ... If my understanding of this is incorrect, what is the goal of taking your puppy out to places where people are but not allowing them to pet him/her?

If what you want is a dog who is indifferent to non-pack people and dogs(and it sounds like that is what you want), then how would you get that otherwise? If you don't expose the dog (socialize) to lots of stuff, the dog can't develop an unexcited attitude, right?


eta
I do kinda think that your first post indicated overthinking the whole thing, with a 6-month-old puppy. But JMO.




Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/12/2009 12:04 PM)
Edit reason: eta

I understand exposing to lots of things, and that's what we do. I suppose my question is about the interaction. If she really likes people petting her and when we see people, they continue to be allowed to pet her - wouldn't that continue the cycle of excitement? She will see a person and be excited because she expects them to give her attention.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

eta
I do kinda think that your first post indicated overthinking the whole thing, with a 6-month-old puppy. But JMO.

I think you're right.

Edited by Jasmine Dillon (08/12/2009 12:08 PM)
Edit reason: added quote

Training takes care of most of your worries. If you choose to let someone interact with your dog just make sure it's on your terms.

 Quote: Al Curbow

Training takes care of most of your worries. If you choose to let someone interact with your dog just make sure it's on your terms.

In a nutshell!

Thank you both.

Mr. Curbow,

Would that I could express myself in two sentences as clearly and insightfully as you do, instead of undertaking the essays I am inclined to author.

Mike

LOL... why say it with 10 words when you can use 1,000... that's my problem too!