hi,
Our puppy has just recently started to be taken out for short walks and have tried to let him meet other dogs and people when out. He is fine with people saying hello and touching him and ok ish with larger dogs, but if any small dogs come near him his tail goes between legs, he squeals and wets himself. Don't know why - he has never had unpleasant experience with a small dog.

Has anyone got any suggestions how we can solve this?

Thanks
Karen

He has never met strange dogs before either, and a lot of puppies go through a timid stage between 12 and 18 weeks, so take it steady don't push him let hin take his time and get him to a training class and let him sit under your chair for a few weeks if that is what he wants. Don't push, don't sympathsise. Jackie

Yes don't sympathise. do not pick up or pet him, or even talk too soothingly to the pup. If you do it will percive from your behaviour that there really is something to be scared of, or that the attention it gets for acting frightened witll get it lots of attention.

The best way to be is to speak in a cajoling don't be silly.jolly hockey sticks kind of voice, and encourqage the pup to walk on ignoring the mini monster. After it will do this another time just stop and chat to the little dogs owner ignoring the frightened behaviour. Often when the pup sees you interacting in a friendly manner with the other dogs owner it will become braver, not liking to be left out.

It is similar to a shy child, if you focus your attention on the shyness it makes them worse, but if you ignore it they will make friends once feeling more comfortable.

Hi Karen

It is not unusual for Dobes, or any pups come to that, to be wary of other dogs when they first start to go out and about.

I would take him out to places where he will meet as many other dogs as possible and let him watch and join in when he is ready. Do not let other dogs bowl him over if you can help it, but don't "baby" him either, just be as matter of fact about it as you can.

When I first started taking Maverick out I was very surprised that she was wary of other dogs bearing in mind that she played with the rest of the pack at home but when she went to the class she hid behind the greenhouse for the first week and a half during the free play and used it as a refuge when the others got too rough. I left her to it when they were all loose but when the on-lead work started I had her with me but stayed on the end to start with so she was not crowded by the other dogs. She now does "stays" sitting amongst up to 60 other dogs without being worried.

Happy New Year to you all

Christine