At training today the trainer wanted our dogs to greet one another. Bindi does not like to meet other dogs, she hides behind my legs and moves away from dogs. If they come toward her and continue to follow her (if I am not interceding, which I do since she doesn't want to meet them)
she can snap in the air at them. The trainer never forces the issue with us, she knows bindi doesn't feel comfortable...however she has others in the class who want this interaction.
Now I mention this because of the situation I have. When I am in training bindi can sit very close to another dog (approximately one foot), but she completely ignores them. She is fixed on training and doesn't want to be bothered. She never goes after a dog. In April I am going to a seminar where you bring your dogs. I think Bindi will be fine. She can sit quietly next to me or be in her crate, Do you think I should try and train Bindi to meet other dogs, I don't know if I could ever get her to like it. I am new to putting dogs in competition/Trials and do not know if I should work really hard for her to like meeting other dogs.
My attitude is: I am not interested in Bindi being friends with other dogs. She has 2 dogs of her own at home and does well with them. I do not want her thinking it is play time around other dogs, since I will be placing her in competition. Am I wacky?
Thanks sharon

I'd make sure she doesn't snap at dogs who come to say hi in case there's an out of control dog, if she's already focused on you this is pretty easy, a stand command and focus to you, the other dog will sniff her and that's done. While in an ideal world you wouldn't let a loose dog approach friendly or not in the real world people tend to get angry if you lash out at their friendly but out of control dog when it comes near yours....but if she doesn't want to be OMG best friends with other dogs there's no reason she should have to....most dogs don't and there would be a lot fewer issues if people (and trainers!) didn't try to force the issue.


As long as she's safe I wouldn't bother trying to make her want to meet other dogs, she has friends at home, that's enough.

And working in a group/doing dog events/OB competition stuff is SOOOOO much easier with a dog who doesn't care about other dogs XD in my experience at least. Ryuk can come out to an event, perform with little warm up and is totally ready to go. Gam gets to an event and for the first 10 minutes complains that I won't let him say hi to anyone (dog or human) while doing his warm-up OB and is more likely to loose focus in the middle (so he does that annoying thing where he's performing all the commands nicely so you can't fairly correct him like you want to, but does so with noooooo eye contact). Part of it is maturity and level of training.....but a biiiiiig chunk of it is that he loves everyone and everything and OMG that dog/person/chair could come pet him if he wills it hard enough. Ryuk is friendly but couldn't care less what other dogs and people are doing.

No, I don't think you're wacky at all! I do think that continuing to work with Bindi to get her more comfortable and not wanting to snap is a good idea, but I don't see any need to push her to the point of trying to get her to enjoy meeting other dogs. The fact she can work within a foot of other dogs and still focus on you is something most of us strive for!

You mention you are concerned about a seminar you will be attending. What kind of seminar? Do you have any reason to believe greeting other dogs will be required? In my experience with seminars, yes, it can get crowded, depending on the location, but you will either have your dog crated, or be working with her under the guidance of the person giving the seminar, and I would be shocked if they actually wanted/expected the dogs to greet one another.

Likewise with the type of competition you will be entering. I believe from some of your other posts, you are planning to enter rally and obedience events. Again, there is no expectation that your dog should greet others. And in my experience, the other competitors at an event feel the same way. I'm not saying there couldn't be a clueless handler there who doesn't keep their dog under control, and it's good to be prepared for that kind of situation, but it's considered poor etiquette unless it's people who know each other and are mutually agreeable to the dogs interacting.

I would find and other trainer if the one I was with insisted on meet and greet. Dogs do not need "frieds" outside the individual family unit.
I was in a SAR unit with my older GSD. We did a ton of demos for schools, Scout groups, etc. All that was required was that the dog would except kids petting them. There were a couple of dogs that were uncomfortable doing this so they weren't required to do it.
It's been discussed before but having a socialized dog, TO ME, means my dogs have to except and be neutral to any and all things I expose them to. It has nothing to do with being playmates with other dogs...or people for that matter.

Cheri and Bob: thanks so much for your encouragement. I have worked hard for bindi to be neutral around other dogs. She does all she can to let the other dog know she does not want to be friends. It is only after a dog pushers her that she let's them know she is not interested. She doesn't go after other dogs and she loves people. Not real fond of petting, but tolerates it because she loves people so much.
She is a rescue from petsmart and had to endure tons of hands coming at her. she is very sweet and sits politely for petting, but it isn't her favorite.
Bindi is a great dog, I have been blessed with her. She dies to please me.
You can't imagine how much you have encouraged me. She loves rally so much I was hoping I could still compete with her. At class her gaze is fixed on me, for the whole hour. She just waits for me to tell her what to do. This is a miracle because i am a new trainer and am just learning.
Today was a hard day for me and my other dogs. My Cody is super hopped up lately and he is so intense it can wear you down. Good little guy, just intense.
Thanks so much for your encouragement.
Sharon and her pups Bindi, Cody, and Terra