sorry yet another post from me....more reflects on my dog-inexperience than my pup - she's an angel, i just want to make sure i do the right things with her early on.....

as many of you know now ruby's my 14 wk-old cavalier. i don't think she's a timid pup, she's just quite considered in encountering new things - she likes to have a good look from a distance and then gradually work up to getting closer and prodding it/chewing it when she's gauged what kind of reaction she might get. doesn't take her ages - maybe 5 mins with her first encounter with an open fire at home last night (she only got as far as licking the fireguard, we didn't let her any closer than that! :))

BUT cos of this, she really doesn't like it when another dog bounds up to her and tries to sniff her bum/investigate her as they do. she's met a few other dogs - all on neutral territory - since i've had her but she's never got as far as playing with them - she's never got really distresed but i don't think she's really enjoyed any of these encounters, she's just about tolerated them. Possibly a mistake on my part but one i'm keen to rectify - we start puppy classes in a couple of weeks so that should help.

What i want to ask is (a) what's normal behaviour when dogs meet each other, what should i expect & (b) how should i act?

At the mo when we've had encounters with other dogs its frequently been on walks, they're off the lead (she's on an extender) and they race up to come and have a sniff. ruby has a bark at the other dog (who usually ignores it as she's so wee) and tries to hide behind my legs. i try act as normal, briefly chat cheerily with the other owner whilst walking on past.

If i did eg introduce her to an acquaintance's dog, who's a bit older & more sedate, what should i expect it to be like and what should i step in to prevent happening? i'm v conscious i don't want to cock this up and give her a fear of other dogs. i guess neutral territory would be a good idea - maybe a walk first to get them (or mainly ruby) used to the sight of the other and then let them investigate closer?

Hi Katie,
I have been following Ruby's progress on here,and i think you are doing really well with her. i have a 13 week old lab puppy,Star. I take her down the busy main road every day,but have some of her ration of dried food in my pocket. She doesn't even bother with the traffic now,she is so focussed on the food.She has only met a couple of dogs,most are out on their own. She just launches herself at them,to play Most have been ok,but I am always wary and watch for signs of aggression. The only time she met one which wasn't friendly(it barked at her from behind the gate),she sat down and then barked back at it,but didnt try to approach it.She hasn't been off the lead yet either,as like you,there are busy roads everywhere here.My son has 2 GSD's and I am dying to take her out to meet them,but she is terrible in the car at the moment. Its a horrible 30 min journey,mainly urban,changing lane motorway,and I hate driving there at the best of times,never mind with a screaming scrabbling puppy in the car.I am going to enrol her in puppy class,as I think that is the best way to get her used to other dogs,and I am sure it will help Ruby too.The only problem I will have there too,is getting her there,as its a 15 min car journey. I am really pleased with the way she is shaping up,although some days she is a little fiend,and the next day an angel.She is only just getting the message about biting,but the ignoring bit doesn't work with her. Putting her out of the room calms her down a bit,so thats what we do now. Good luck with Ruby,she sounds lovely,and you obviously love her to bits.

Jean

Thank you Jean that's SUCH a nice message! All pups are adorable aren't they but they all have their little sticking points i reckon.

i think i am going to stop worrying (! i need to employ someone to do that on a daily basis about everything i think!) about the other dogs - going to ensure she doesn't have any bad dog experiences before pup classes but hopefully under watchful eye of lovely trainer that will turn out fine. i do have an acquaintance who's got a cavalier and i might try and take some liberties & see if we can go on some joint walks together with our dogs on lead and then maybe introduce them properly somewhere they can play but i'm not going to rush it.

you sound like you're doing really well with your lab pup too - i'm sure you've thought of this, but can't hurt to explain what we did to get ruby liking the car. we have a travelling carrier for her, a plastic cratey thing with a removable wire mesh front and you can also unclip the top half - we use this as her bed with a blanket [$ vetbedding in it so she automatically feels safe in it. (We take the vetbed out for cartrips as its too full then but blanket stays in.) The first few times we took her in the car i sat in the back with her so she could see and hear me (and snuck a few pup treats through the mesh too ! ])) & i still make sure i talk a lot whilst she's in there but she's quite happy to look out of the window or to sleep in there now! Maybe you could try something similar? Even if you don't want to bed her in a travel carrier maybe if you put a blanket in her usual bed that you could transfer into the carrier along with a nice tasty chew, that would make her feel safe/protected. also maybe try getting her used to being in the carrier before it goes in the car? also could you possibly engineer it so she could see someone while she's in the car, get someone to drive you or to sit in the back with her, just as an initial 'safety blanket'? i'm sure once she's clicked that car = fun outings she'll learn to love or at least ignore it, like ruby with the traffic!

i'm sure pup classes will be great for both of us! i really need to know some local doggy people too, to talk about pup with and i know it will help me with that. And Rubes can make some doggy-friends for fun!

The biting thing can be wearing can't it. Ruby's latest trick is chewing a piece of wire that connects the stereo speakers up! Oh how she loves that - even her favourite teddy wanes in attraction once she's thought of chewing the wire. Calmly putting her out of hte room for a few seconds seems to be the only worthwhile tactic re this too - i'm sure its mainly attention seeking so its the only way to not let her 'win'.

You take care & good luck with Star! :)

Katie,
I was on the PC yesterday and she was lying at my feet chewing her toy. I happened to look down and she had switched from the toy to the cable for my broadband connection.I let out such a yell,she ran for her life. Fortunately she hadn't reached the wires,just the outer casing,so i was able to hold it together with tape.Now I have discovered that all the NO don't bite, putting her out etc. is not so effective as a loud AAAAH. She stops immediately.My son says he can understand why,having been on the receiving end of a few yells himself.I have a harness for the car ,and am going to try it out today,with her on the back seat,so fingers crossed.The only real problem I have is with her health She has had almost constant diarrhoea since i got her. I have had to revert back to bland food and start re-introducing the Burns mini bites,but the diarrhoea keeps coming back,and its yellow,so i think I will need to go back to the vets,as she has already had 2 lots of antibiotic,and they haven't cleared it up. I am trying the tree bark powder just now,but i am worried it may be masking something more serious. That's keeping her back re the car trips and puppy classes,as I can't take her there while she has this.Hopefully it will be cleared up soon,as she is lively enough,but very small for a lab her age.I look forward to hearing more about Ruby,be glad she is healthy and happy

Jean