Reg: 01-12-2008
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Loc: High Desert, California
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Enoch is 4 and half months old. The only dogs he has been around are his sire, dam and grandsire. My breeder also has another GSD and a JRT. He played with them well and seemed to enjoy himself. Today at the park I ran into an acquaintance who had a 4 month old Bulldog. Enoch sniffed her and then he backed away. He would go up to her again and back away as if he was scared. He wasn't scared at all of the owner but he seemed to be timid around the dog. Now, I don't care for him to play with other dogs necessarily but I also don't want him to act fearful when other dogs are around. The one hopeful thing was although he would back away he kept coming up to her and sniffing. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Cameron Feathers Webboard User Reg: 03-11-2008
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Read this thread, specifically the parts on "socializing" to start. http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=202537#Post202537
Being scared of one dog doesn't mean he will be scared of all dogs. Plus, this could have been your dog showing the other dog respect - could be the other dog was telling him to "back off" so he did. Keep in mind that pack structure among dogs does not include "play dates" with other packs - that is a human thing. If your dog is giving space to another dog, there is a good chance that was what the other dog wanted.
Edited by Cameron Feathers (07/22/2008 11:18 PM)
Edit reason: link fix
When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
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Maisha....
This is something you can overcome with your little pup. Just be thankful that it is not the other way around to where he wants to eat other dogs....I am still going through that.
It is good that he is curious and willing to go up to them to sniff, but sounds like he may grow up to ignore other dogs....that is a great thing IMHO.
Very similar to how Jesea was, without the "afraid" part, she just wanted to check them out but in no way had a desire to romp and play, which was fine with me. She gets along with her pack members and that is all I care about.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
Reg: 01-12-2008
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Loc: High Desert, California
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Thanks Cameron and Carol for the reassurance. I definitely don't want him to be dog aggressive. My last dog had that problem. I just don't want him to be afraid either. Actually he seemed more interested and comfortable with the owner rather than the puppy. Go figure. So you guys think I should continue doing what I'm doing and not make such a big deal about it? Like I said before he doesn't interact with dogs besides the few times he's played with his dam and other dogs at our breeder's ranch. I just want to make sure that's okay and I'm not messing up somewhere.
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
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Loc: South Dakota, USA
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Quote: Maisha Butler
So you guys think I should continue doing what I'm doing and not make such a big deal about it?
Yes, most definitely. If you are calm and confident, it will allow the little guy to see and sense from you that there is really nothing to be afraid of.
Building confidence is FUN to do in my opinion as it is great to see a dog get over being timid of something.
I think you are doing fine with him without seeing you work with him.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
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Loc: South Dakota, USA
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Quote: maisha butler
Okay, last question just so I'm clear. Should I or should I not make a point of taking him around other dogs?
Well, I am not one to take my dogs around lots of other dogs, however I do train around a lot of dogs so my dogs have to be around them.
So, it is up to you.
I would expose him to other dogs just so he can get over his "nervousness" about it. But I would not make it a point to let him play and interact too much.
Does that make sense? I don't want to confuse you too bad....LOL
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
Reg: 01-12-2008
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Loc: High Desert, California
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No I think I understand what you mean. Expose him to other dogs but no interaction with them. The incident yesterday was strange because he has seen other dogs. He either ignores them or tries to go towards them which indicated to me that he wasn't afraid but yesterday was the first time he actually interacted with a dog outside of his "family." That's why his response to the puppy was surprising. He is like that with people. I will take him to the store and most times he will just sit and watch people, sometimes try to go up to them but on a few occasions he will move back from people and on rare occasions he has barked at one or two people. Just trying to learn the difference between typical puppy behavior and signs of a bigger problem.
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
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Pretty much sounds like normal GSD behavior IMO. Which is good behavior. I don't like a dog to be overly friendly, but want them to be behaved.
At four months he may be going through a phase that some like to call "fear period". Which, basically he will grow out of and as a handler/owner it is best not to put him into too many new situations during this period, but rather stick to what you are doing already and make sure you are praising him for calm, confident behaviors that you want from him.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
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