Got a lovely photo of about 15 dogs of all sizes on holiday. they are sitting for Camera, but spent their entire holiday off lead socilising amongst themselves, and with any other dogs they met.

Have sent it to John, andyone else want to see???

What a lovely photograph it is too Barbara. Let's face it, we love to mix with other humans and dogs love to mix with other dogs! To deprive dogs of that is to me, to deprive them of their birthright. How would we get on if we were not allowed to meet other humans? Or as children, not allowed to run and play with other children? Just what sort of a balanced human being would we be?

Best wishes, John

I'll have to accept I'm a rotten owner, John, taking such risks with my dogs, just as I was a rotten Mother for letting my son go out to play without supervision. Surely the undoubted benefits outweigh the possible risks?

I can't help wondering if the restrictive laws which apply in some countries are in themselves responsible for poorly socialised dogs which then makes problems where almost none existed before.

What I have seen written in this thread reminds me of something which happened some years ago. We always held a dogs Christmas Party at the dog club, playing games such as musical chairs, egg and spoon races and the like with the dogs. A non dog person who was attending as a guest of one of the members said to me, "Arn't you afraid they will fight?" I said, "Do they look as if they are going to fight?" She said no but she thought all dogs fought if they got together! She could not believe her owe eyes. I can understand non dog people thinking this but not dog people. Just what are these people being told to make them accept the restrictions they have to live under? I pray these "Leash Laws" never come to these shores.

Regards, John

I think it's certainly true that the fewer times a dog meets other dogs, there more likely it is to react badly when it does meet them. The main 'window of opportunity' is said to be up to about 20 weeks of age, and after that a dog finds it much more difficult to accept new experiences; but that doesn't mean it can't learn, it just takes longer.

It's definitely a vicious circle (if that's not a bad choice of words!) that dogs are more likely to be aggressive if they haven't been taught by another dog how to be friends.

I managed to cure a VERY unxociable adult spayed Golden bitch belonging to a neighbour of her aggresion to other dogs. From the time they had her if a dog cam near enough to sniff she would go for it!

At the time she was 3 years old, and had cone to my friend as an unsocialised 1 year old. She spotted me out with my 15 week old pup, and promptly was in Love with this non threatening canine.

I took her around to play with the Golden, and then took her Mum too, at first she was inclined to treat Mum as a threat to the Pup, and she did round on her once or twice, but her mistress and I made it quite clear that this was not on, and my bitch was happy to ignore her as long as she didn't attack.

Gradually she felt happier about my adult bitches presence, only once having a pop at her over treats, for which she was banished from the room for a few minutes.

I started to take her out with me, taking care not to let her free when other dogs were about.

By the time the pup was full grown she had become very confident in their rough games together, where they would each take turns being the underdog.

With this confidence came an acceptance of the presence of other verified friendly canines, they didn't bother her so she was happy.

By the time my pup was 18 months old she was actively happy to join in with meeting and greeting rituals she had witnessed, so much so that she was capable of gently discouraging young male ardour without going OTT.

She became a well balnaced dog at nearly 5 years old!!!! A shame she had missed out on all the fun in her early life, as she is a complete Peter Pan, who was mentally outgrown by her puppy frined and in the fullness of time her daughter. She views my youngest now as a playmate, but sadly I cannot let her play too much now, as at 10 she ruprured her cruciate, and I am afraid that my young bitch playing with her could cause her harm.

Yes please !

Lucy

Your email is hidden so you'll need to mail me! :D