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Hi there, I have just come back from taking my 15 week puppy to a puppy party and have come to the conclusion that my puppy is a bit of a "party pooper". He spent most of the time under my chair watching all of the other puppies playing (albeit some of them were a little frantic). When he did pluck up the courage to venture out, as soon as any of the other puppies came over to him, he was off under the chair again. The bit he did love was when I picked him up from under the chair and placed him on my knee. The observing bit of the action was just his style. I was quite surprised by his behaviour because normally when he is on the park he acts fearless, making sure that his presence is known to everyone. Cleary, this is just a cover. The puppy party is on next week also and on the 2nd May he starts training club. I suppose it is the first time that he has been let off the leash and allowed to run freely with other puppies of a similar age - so perhaps this is normal - albeit none of the other puppies had the same problem. Does anyone else recognise this behaviour. I think it was a bit stressful for us both.
By SaraW
![[gb]](/images/flags/gb.png "United Kingdom")
Date 08.04.03 21:04 UTC
Hi Scatter
From what I remember of puppy parties with Phoebie this is quite normal behaviour. Afterall it is all new and exciting and a little intimidating the first time.
The first week any dog joined the one I went to (you could go from first vacs clear to about 20 weeks old) they tended to hide under the chair.
What I would suggest though is not to let him up on your knee however tempting this may be. In my mind this makes him believe there maybe is something to be worried about. I let Phoebie hide under the chair the first few weeks but didn't comfort her at all. I used to sit on the floor in the middle of the room for a while and she'd venture out then as she felt it wasn't fair I was fussing others and not her ;) She ventured out on her own for 10 mins out the hour the first week, 20 mins the 2nd week and after that there was no stopping her :D She was first to greet new arrivals each week ;)
It can also be worrying seeing how rough puppies can play at times - nipping each other, pouncing etc but normally there is no malice meant by ones so young - they learn the boundrys to go to and learn how to read dog body language :)
He'll come round - you'll hopefully be surprised by how much at the end of next week :)
SaraW
editted for spelling
By Pammy
Date 08.04.03 21:14 UTC
Very normal behaviour especially if you say it was stressfull for you both. He will have picked up on your stress and been more nervous. Next time get out there talking to the other owners encouraging your baby to join you - enjoy it:D. He will come out - but needs encouragement. They hide under chairs as it makes them feel safe.... Bless
Pam n the boys
By karenC
Date 09.04.03 09:24 UTC
Scatter
Apologies, I didnt reply to you other message :-( Poppy my Mini S. has also started socialisation/basic obedience - she has now been to 3 classes and is getting more and more confident. I have found that she is different depending on the other pups, if they are much bigger she is likley to hover fairly closely to my feet. If there a little smaller is tends to join in and is braver. There is one pup a Wheaten terrier, who she just doesnt like and has shown signs of aggression towards her, so we are having to introduce them carefull and the trainer really shouts NO at Poppy if she starts growling - this is already working and she is now being a little better behaved :-). Poppy was a mixture of nervousness and excitement at our first class, but she is much better already.
You asked when her birthday was - it is 20th December. We got her in Leics.
Karen.
By JackyandSydney
Date 09.04.03 09:37 UTC
Sydney was just the same (11 week old Dobie). Took him to puppy classes and he sat under my chair being scared. I just sat him between my legs and didnt fuss over him. Just gave him a reasuring pat every now and then. The other dog were larger than him and nosier also, so I think this tended to make him a bit shy. We went to another class later that evening and after having a sniff at the other pups as they passed him (this time he was bigger than most as they were toy varieties). Before we left the lady asked if we wanted to let the pups off the lead and although he was a bit reserved at first he then went and enjoyed himself running around with te other pups. THis was such a boost to his confidence.
Give him time and try to not fuss as the other replies have said. He will gain confidence with the other pups and before you know it he will be running around with them.
By Carla
Date 09.04.03 09:47 UTC
I took Willis to puppy training. I warned them his recall wasn't good (when he was 5 months)
They insisted. They held him while I took his lead off, and I walked away calling him
They let him go him and he galloped off down the hall into the big dogs class :rolleyes:
Took four of us ten minutes to catch him.
And they say Great Dane's can be a nervous breed.
By Louisebarnes
Date 09.04.03 10:11 UTC
Hi Scattergood,
I was amazed at your post as I have a Mini S and he is nearly 6 months but from day one has been the life and soul!!
At the puppy party we went to (he was about 3mths) he completley took over (although the other pups weighed avaerage of 2kg and he weighed 5!!)
He is sometimes too confident and is ready to take on the world!!
I would suggest you avoid cuddling him or even just saying 'don't worry' as he will pick up on your tone. At our training classes the trainer does things to surprise them i.e. umbrellas opening, skateboards, bottles smashing anything really to avoid them being nervous/aggressive.
Lots of luck, with your little one (aren't they so gorgeous!!)
Louise :-)
Louise, maybe that was part of the problem. Apart from a very boisterous Jack Russell, they were all much bigger. The other puppies kept putting their paws on his head :( The advice here is excellent, and I will take him next week and then his training club classes start. I will leave him alone next time and try to pretend I am not concerned at all
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