My Mum and Dad have a 10mnth old Weimeraner and I have a 18 mnth old English Springer.  I've only just got my springer and so we want to socialise the two so we can all go walking together.  The thing is my springer is quite timid with other dogs and the Weimeraner - surprise surprise - is pretty boisterous.  Can anyone suggest the best way to socialise them? - SHould we just let them get on with it? or take them for lots of lead walks together first to get them used to each other? - I don't want my springer to get scared off as it'll put her off other dogs, but at the same time she does need to learn to get on with it herself? - I know I'm a bit over protective which doesn't help - anyone got any good tips for me too???  My springer is pretty good on recall - not always instant but generally pretty good - Mum and Dad's Weimie isn't quite so good - which is another thing that's worrying me.  Should we wait until the Weimie is better at recall so we can reign them both in - or am I being paranoid?

Thanks for any ideas, Claire

Hi Claire, I definitely would not walk my dog off lead with another whose recall wasnt good and would be unhappy about taking a timid dog out with a boisterous one. I would concentrate on giving my dog lots of positive experiences with steady dogs, rewarding for confident behaviour but not letting anyone get too close for comfort and generally building up a strong bond with mine first before inviting other people along. I dont think you are over protective just careful with your springer and would strongly resist any attempts to let them get on with it for fear of making her shyness worse. Maybe Mum and Dad could take Weimy along to classes or work on his manners more. I know its hard when  its your family, but I think your right to consider your own dog.

Thanx for giving me  more confidence in my own judgement - that helps!! I'll see if we can hold off for a while - or only go if they both stay on leads until they're happy to ignore each other.

Hi Claire,

I agree with Lorelei (as usual!). I would hold off until your girls confidence is a bit better.  It would only take one frightening experience, and that could knock her back for a long time.  You don't say whether the Weims a dog or a bitch, but if its a dog, 10 months and onwards can be entering the 'Kevin the teenager' stage. I would concentrate on your girl first and foremost, building her confidence with positive experiences before you ever let them meet for walks.  You will get there, I'm sure, but its not worth rushing the job. When they do meet up eventaully, I would use a long line on each of them for safety, then you can re-inforce your recall.  In fact, as you said that her recall is not 100 %, you could try using one anyway.
Good luck
Ali :)

p.s. I would suggest getting the Weim to a training class, if nothing else, then to socialise it on how to meet other dogs.

Hi Ali,

Thanks to you too for helping my confidence!! - THe Weimy does go to classes, but as you say she's just at that teenager stage.  It's only that she wants to play - she's not really agressive - just VERY energetic - and a lot bigger than my little girlie, who is the most placid dog on the planet I think!  Anyway I'll continue to try to improve my girls confidence by taking her out where other dogs are - I tend to put her back on a lead when I see other dogs and then just walk her past them without making a fuss - and hopefully without them making a fuss either!!  She's doing well and is less likely to do back somersaults on the lead than she was a couple of weeks ago so we're making progress.