Quote: tracy collins

... "Socializing" your dog doesn't mean having a party with everyone and everything he meets. It just means he is being exposed to them so that he doesn't fear them. One can "socialize" a pup to walking on surfaces, observing all different kinds of people, sounds, etc. without directly interacting with them.

Yup! I think you will find that many long-time dog people view "socialized to" strange dogs as meaning "tolerant of" and "neutral about" and "indifferent to" strange dogs they happen to see. This is my ideal for my dogs, in fact.

I've mentioned that, like many others, I have dogs who happen to know and be friendly with a couple of dogs outside our pack (our home). And that's fine. But it would also be fine if they didn't.

 Quote: tracy collins

... Keep walking. You ignore crazy dogs, he will ignore crazy dogs.

If this happened from Day One, I firmly believe that a whole bunch of possible future problems with reactivity would never even come up.

Thanks, I think I have it now, keep it moving and don't react one way or another. I am relieved that I do not have to have these doggie playdates. I'd been feeling guilty because he has only had two but I am particular about what dogs I want around him. I think dogs can pick up bad habbits from other dogs just like kids. Sad to say that my brother is the only other person I know who takes the time to train his dog. Thanks again I feel much better about the situation.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

No, you can take doggy playdates off your worry list.

But socializing is still crucial, when you re-define it as several of us have done. The dog needs to see and hear and experience all that he can, with you showing him how OK it all is, moving along through and past stuff.

Indeed, cross playdates off the list.

But do fill in the list with all sorts of adventures with just you and him: go for car rides to the drive in bank, the car wash, a car-hop restaurant.

Walk to places where he can see and hear busses, fire trucks, motorcycles, children's playgrounds.

Take him for walks on sand, tall grass, slick floors, over rocks and logs...

Go somewhere that he can see people of all shapes and sizes, races and ages--including people in wheelchairs, using walkers or canes, wearing hats and sunglasses....

The list of "socializing" activities is practically limitless--and will vary with where each dog lives and the kind of things they are likely to experience in their lives. Dog who will live in the country would need to be socialized to livestock. A city dog needs to be socialized to sirens and sidewalk cafes.

Have fun. These first few months with a pup set them up for a lifetime of success.

With help from people on this board we re-defined 'socialization' to mean 'indifference to other dogs'. Jethro has fearful aggressive reactions to new dogs and we don't want him to get so upset whenever he sees other dogs. We were told to socialization him (meaning take him to parks, let him sniff dogs on walks, etc.) and it did not work for him. Now, instead of taking him onto the field where other dogs are playing and hanging out, we walk around the fence on the outside of the field. Jethro has gone from posturing and barking if a dog came to close, to recently he was able to give a sniff through the fence and a play bow before we moved on. He is also getting much better at volunteering a Sit and Watch when he sees a dog on leash if I am busy picking up poo or something. He's not bullet-proof, but he is a work in progress and we seem to be making headway ("Your dog is so well-behaved, why don't you let him off leash?"

Regarding dogs on the other side of fences or gates - as soon as you realize there is a dog there curve calmly away. An unattended dog at a fence or gate is more likely to bark and carry on than stand there inquisitively wishing you would stop and let your dog get closer.

Everything I have learned has been through Jethro. I have just over a year of Jethro handling under my belt.