I have a friend who has a shepherd mix who, like my dog, has aggression issues with other dogs. I saw a post on his Facebook in which a woman gave him the advice to "socialize" his dog. She said that he should muzzle the dog and force socialization.

I'm curious about others thoughts on this. Isn't my understanding correct that my dog is part of my pack, and I shouldn't be socializing him with other packs? This question precludes introducing another dog into the home. I'm talking about taking the dog on a "play date".

I'd be curious to find out what others think.

I think your friend got bad advice. And maybe a virus too.

In my opinion a lot of the key imprinting and socializing happens in the dogs first 6 months of life.

I do want my dog to be social with other dogs and people, and other packs.
But, I want that under the understanding that I am still in control of my pack and the other pack leader is in control of his/hers.

Personally, I always assume that a stranger with their dog is not in control. I also remember that my dog is still a dog and that I can in an instant lose control if I am not closely monitoring the situation, or my dog is not on the level of control I am asking from him.

I do not do stranger play dates with my dog and I personally do not do dog parks.
I personally would not use a muzzle and force socializing on my dog. In my opinion that is an illusion and only fighting the symptoms. To me that is not control.

I do although let my dogs interact with the dogs in dog training classes and with my families dogs of various ages. But, while interacting with them I am asking them to do things in the process. It is not just a free for all. I am giving the dog tasks while socializing to remind him that I am still in control and make him mind his place.

Just some of my opinions and thoughts.

My dogs are trained to be indifferent to other dogs. When it comes time to meet other dogs they really only care about me and my input not the other dog they simply tolerate them because they HAVE TOO!! Me being the pack leader and all.. I'm their source of entertainment not other dogs. In fact my female only ever encountered other dogs on the walk barking at her aggressively, the first time I took her to a dog park she was a year old and she could care less about the others. Most of the owners where upset that my pup would come to me on command and their petsmart obedience trained dogs wouldn't stop running around with the others.

Lol, amateurs.

Hey you know those petsmart trainers are behavior experts!! They have to watch a 2 hour video before becoming a dog trainer and their name tags say behavior expert!! lol!!!!!!!!!!!! Its just great fun!! I actually had to go to a petsmart trainers home because she accidentally got a working line Rottie He wouldn't let her sit on her own couch and he was only 6 months. lol!!! He was a great dog and listened to me in minutes. He so needed leadership.

I have heard a lot about PetSmart trainers over the years, but I have never seen any in PetSmart. Not that I really go to PetSmart at all. I get my dog food from the people I get my horse feed from and all my dog equipment is made by the Amish here down the road from me.

Maybe they are just made up to scare women and children. Lol.

I am not really too interested in my dogs going to dog parks, like others I do not trust the owners or the exposure to dogs who are supposed to be healthy or friendly.
My dog bindi was afraid of people when i first got her, but now she is a social butterfly who likes people.
But I am not a fan of making my dogs like other dogs. I agree with the others and the Pack philosophy.

sharon

Hi there

I am not an expert but would offer this experience. My going in point is that all owners are inexperienced or misguided and the dog is not under their control. I am so far 90% correct.

I adopted a GSD six weeks ago and have been socializing him intensively sine then. Here is what we've done:

1) On leash (and prong) 1 on 1 encounters with over 150 dogs - always on hikes and runs and in calm surroundings - never more than 5 minutes. My dog always had to sit at least twice in these meetings. he's become increasingly aloof and under control, even when the other dog is all over the place.

2) On leash sessions outside coffee shops and supermarkets to meet other dogs in more stressful environments. This is is hardest challenge at the moment as it's quite chaotic. We've moved from whiny and leash pulling to calm sitting and recently lying at my feet.

3) No dog parks - I see carnage all the time as our runs take us past a large one every day and we always do a few circuits.

4) On leash play sessions with the neighbor's GSD and labrador so he gets to know who's on the other side of the fence

All the best
Rob

So Robert, 150 dogs in 6 weeks, that's a lot and it seems you've done well. What's the game plan if dog #151 attacks your dog or otherwise shows aggression? Sometimes it seems like dogs can go from mild to wild pretty quick?