I posted the title so if there is any differences with what I am asking.

I will be adding to the pack this coming Feb with a working line puppy.

I work at a dog daycare center, and I bring my 3 year old male GSD every day with me. I socialized him very well as a puppy/and to date. I bring him into the different areas of the outside play yards, and he interacts in the different areas with all dog types/sizes (no probs).

I only work 3 hour days (when I work) so during this time, my GSD is out with the other dogs for about 1-2 hours, with the other time indoors, in a kennel (while I work indoor stuff). I never leave him alone with the other dogs (when I am not out in the play yard) observing.

My question is this.

I will be getting my puppy at about 8 weeks of age. Upon completion of vaccinations (full set for puppy to be safe)-forgot what age that is at, is it safe from a mind standpoint-confidence- to bring to work, and socialize with other dogs? If so, is this also safe if the dog was to be raised as a working line dog? (from a confidence standpoint-puppy not being overwhelmed, or dominated by other dogs.

I will be doing other socialization besides this, in order for him to be well rounded.

Tonight I will also order the $125.00 DVD set that Ed put out in regards to pack structure, OB, and raising a puppy from 8 weeks to 8 months. I will also order tonight- raising the Working line puppy dvd.

I was just curious about this, and what the rest of you think, and what you would do.

I really love bringing my dogs to work with me, however I don't want to fail them either.

One last note: I can also place him with smaller sized dogs in the beginning (not put him in with the bigger dogs at first, so he is not overwhelmed?

Thanks.

Jack,

I don't think you're going to find very many people here who will think it's a good idea to bring your new pup to work and let it interact with groups of dogs, regardless of their sizes.  Your pup only needs to be attacked or dominated too roughly once to create long-lasting issues.  Bring it to work, fine, but keep it in a crate while you're there.

Use the search function on this site to look up socialization, and you'll find lots of threads on this topic.  Also, it wouldn't hurt to read up on dog parks (I realize your situation isn't a dog park, but you have groups of dogs that are free to interact at will in a confined space).

enjoy your new pup,
leih

When my pup was little he came to work with me once a week and stayed in a kennel. As he got a little older he was allowed brief, supervised playtimes with 2 dogs owned by co-workers...both older, who I knew extremely well and knew they were good with pups.

I never would have done this in a daycare situation with a pack of dogs.

I agree with Leih...one bad encounter and the whole goal of socialization is completely ruined. That's a huge risk to take, IMHO.

Frankly, I really dislike the term "socialization". It's confusing and it implies that a dog should be interacting with, and friendly with, everyone and everything on the planet. He really should only be doing those things with you.

"Neutralizing" may be a better word for what you want to accomplish. I much prefer my dog act neutral towards other dogs and other people... neither fearful nor a silly dingbat around others.

Exposure is important, but in a controlled way and not as a free-for-all. It should be approached as a training exercise, just like you train everything else.

The DVDs are great and will help you become *the* leader in your pup's life...the source of all the good, fun, positive things. When you establish that foundation then training a neutral attitude becomes easier, IMHO. My dog really enjoyed his romps with his buddies...but only if I was present. If I went inside for a moment, or ducked out of sight, he immediately stopped play and looked for me. I thought that was pretty cool.

Just my .02-not-very-experienced-cents

Thank you both, and I will follow your advice you have both given me

I went ahead and placed my orders for those DVD's, I also added the raising a "working puppy" one as well.

This is going to be my first working line dog, and I want to raise and train different then my show line.

I appreciate the great advice, and appreciate the honest and direct answers

I would rather people be straight forward, so this way I can avoid some big mistakes.

I am not a big fan of dog parks either, would never go to one. The only reason I thought about taking to work was in regards to socialization, and I love to take my dogs everywere. However I am now learning the differences in raising a working line puppy/dog.

Thanks again.

To me, it is not a show line vs. working line thing. It is a puppy thing. I also don’t agree with allowing any puppy to run and play (even supervised) with multiple dogs. There are too many things that can happen to any pup in a situation like that.

I love Sarah’s “neutralization” term. It is exactly how I want my dogs to behave. Show them how to behave and to feel comfortable in as many environments as you can. But that you are still the center of the dogs world. (Actually her whole post is exactly how I would have explained it.)

I actually do take my male to the dog parks. I go at a time of day when there are only a few dogs there, and I watch them for about 15 min before I get my dog out. I specifically go in there to teach my dog that he must obey me when other dogs are around (proofing, he was already in the proofing stage before I started). And that just because there are other dogs running around us and wanting to play, that that does not mean that he can, or that it would be more fun to play with them. We play fetch, do OB work, a little tug work, some long downs with lots of doggie distraction, etc... People are shocked that he has zero interest in playing with their dogs. I use it as an opportunity to share and educate. And at the end of the day, he is NEUTRAL to other people and dogs.

Many dogs are great their whole lives with dog parks and play dates and day care situations, but this board is full of people wanting to fix, re-train, un-do what has happened to THIS dog. It only matters when it happens to this dog. I just don’t want to take the chance.

Those DVDs will give you a TON to think about! 

Beautiful dog in your sig post!

Thanks Jessica,

I am eager to receive those DVD's, and again, I agree and I am on board with what is recommended.

Thanks

Ditto as well to the sig pic (love your Rotty