Daily Walk - Socialisation

[Sticks1977]

Over the last few days I have started to take Henry for a short walk around the block (approx. 500m) and he is doing very well on the lead, usually walks behind me or at my side and does not pull or bite his lead - that's not to say that it may happen in the near future...

Along a certain section of the route that we take there are some houses with dogs in a garage or behind a fence that bark and carry on as we walk past. I notice that Henry has his tail between his legs and seems quick to want to keep going (perhaps skiddish?) yet once we are past this section his tail is wagging again and he continues to enjoy the walk.

Since we are in the period of socialisation between 2 and 3 months, should I be ignoring the behaviour that he shows when these dogs are barking (to me I hear it as agressive or territorial barking)? At the moment I have been continuing on the walk and acting like nothing is wrong or paying him attention when he seems fearful.

He is doing well at home as well, I mowed the back lawn yesterday and he is getting used to the lawnmower and the sudden sound it makes when I start it up - he was fascinated with the line trimmer/whipper-snipper as I had him on the other side of the puppy fence and he supervised me most of the time.

Also heard him bark for the first time yesterday out in the backyard - it seemed that he was barking (and a small growl) at one of his soft toys that was in the backyard at the time. At least that was all I could see that he would have been barking at - was either that or the fence.

Thanks for reading, I must get off my rear end and add some more photos of Henry as well for you all to look over...

Regards, Shaun (Sticks1977)

Edited February 17, 2010 by Sticks1977