Christian,

One thing you can do with your pup is start now with focus work (if you havent already). The reason for this is I only let my pup around a few select dogs and as he grew he started to become dog aggressive. Maybe I should have socialized him a bit more? Maybe it wouldnt have mattered? But I did have to work on teaching him to "ignore" other dogs and focus on me. I didnt want him to be a social butterfly around dogs. So I guess it was good that I not let him "hang out." Plus I didnt want a bad experience.

But if you start teaching a "look" command if he ever becomes a bit dog aggressive as he gets older it will be easier to teach him to ignore other dogs. You dont even have to wait until he gets to that point. Just practice and he will soon realize that when other dogs are around and he pays attention to you good things happen (treats toy etc.)
I know this bit of advice doesnt help with the people petting thing but maybe be useful in the future, and just something to think about. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Christian
I too was confused by the contradiction in the video. Your question is the same as my first post on this board. It is confusing. The responses I got to my post and what I have done is what John has suggested. It you want a pet then let everyone pet him and have fun.

Personally I want my dog to ignore people and other animals. When he was young (puppy) people want to pet him and I let them but began phasing that out. Socializing doesn't mean letting strangers pet you dog. It is exposing him to all situation, surfaces, etc. You can have a well socialized dog without letting people touch them.

I think Johns advice was correct for future PP or Schutzhund pups. Of course like John, I won't know if I'm right until Will posts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I have written about this in my web site (in more than one place) and I thought I made it clear in the tapes.

If a pup is a nervy pup it needs to be introdued to strangers with the use of food. When you see the dog is visably nervous aorund strangers then ask the person to toss them a peice of food you have brought along. I dont let people pet the dog and act like they are their long lost friends. They can toss them a piece of meat and say hi.

When the nervousness goes away, how long will depend on the nerves of your dog, then this practise stops.

When a dog pup has good nerves I dont let people pet or touch my dogs.

There is no contradiction in this way of handling dogs and pups.

Hope that answers peoples questions. Thread closed


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