I am getting a puppy in just a few weeks (German Shepherd working Czech lines female - will be about 8 / 9 weeks) and want to start socializing her, taking her just about anywhere and everywhere as soon as possible (day 1) however, here is my concern: Suppose that I am walking her (on leash of course) and another dog growls / barks, whatever at her. Will this knock my dog's confidence down and make her fearful? Some people do not keep their dogs on leash even in town where there are leash laws where I live so I am not sure what the odds are of this happening; but I have a neighbor with two dogs that I would love to see die of old age. They are never tied or confined, always out in their yard and I can't even walk that way on the street because they will run out barking and I am not sure if they would bite but I am afraid of them so don't want to find out. Also I am concerned that when I am walking the pup they might be more likely to come over because they will smell her?? So anyway, how concerned do I need to be about another dog destroying my pup's confidence that I am going to be working so hard to build? Any swuggestions about what to do about the off leash dogs?? Thought about pepper spray but I don't know if it's legal where I live or not... (Minnesota) and if it was I wouldn't know where to buy it. Jennie

I'd find out what the leash laws are in your area. Maybe talking to them, then if needed, a few calls to animal control. We have leash laws in our county but I still had to put up a fence. I get my pepper spray from work. most gun shops carry it.

I forgot, I never let strays near my dogs. Some on this forum don't waste time with pepper spray and go right to head knocking

Jennie,
We've discussed this topic *many* times in the forum, use the search function and wander through those old posts. There are many links to equipment vendors that sell pepper spray/ foam, or other self defense items in those threads.

Jennie, you do need to be aware of the dogs your pup meets so there's no traumatic experience. BUT will say, that the more good experiences your pup has meeting dogs, the more able to put into perspective a bad experience. I would try to talk to my neighbors about your concern with a new puppy and their dogs. Maybe they will surprise you. And maybe their dogs love puppies and just hate people! (or not?) MOST puppies come with the sense to belly-down submissive when approached by an adult dog which prevents a fight an adult dog may get into.

Dogs will growl and dogs will bark, a litter of puppies do it to each other when playing so that, in itself, isn't a bad thing. You, as the responsible adult when out walking your pup, just need to be aware of your surroundings and the dogs that are around. If there is a training school in your area with a puppy kindergarden, that's a fairly safe place to meet and have your pup with other puppies for socialization. And any of your friends with good dogs are also good to visit.

I will go and use the search function. No, my neighbors won't surprise me. Their stupid dogs have been chasing every car or person that goes by ever since we have lived here (four years) and once I tried talking to her, had my son out for a walk when he was a baby in the stroller. I didn't see that the dogs were outside and when I got down the road to walk past their house Mitzi came about six inches from that stroller and barked and snarled like crazy. She came out to check the mail and she said 'oh, don't worry my dogs don't bite.' I've never walked that way again. Also, I am not afraid too much of a dog getting in a fight with my dog. I am worried about it losing confidence. I don't want it to learn that in a tough situation it needs to belly up or run. Of course it won't be tough as nails as a pup and I don't expect it to hold its ground; I am just afraid of it becoming a habit. Also, don't really care so much about the dog socializing with other dogs, just thinking it could happen in the course of the socializing with people. (Why should I care if my dog likes other dogs or not?) Well, going to use the search function now. Jennie

Forget about the self-confidence level of the dog.
Concern yourself with how the dog regards you as a leader. If another dog comes charging up to you, you are compelled to put it into retreat. That can run the gamut from vocal to physical...whatever you are comfortable with.