Puppy Play Time

[Agility Dogs]

I have to say upfront that I do not allow my dogs to be involved large group puppy play sessions, no matter how well controlled they are.

BUT.....wondered what others opinions on this scenario might be.

A friend of mine has been going to a training school that offers puppy play and socialisation sessions. The goal is to socialise dogs so that they are comfortable and enjoy the dog park. This is not in place of training/classes, but is in addition to the classes the school holds. For pet dogs I quite like the classes the school runs, but have to scratch my head at this one.

At first they are in a group of 8 to 16 week old puppies with interactions controlled and dogs seperated if there is any niggle.

Then they move into the next session which is 16 weeks to some other age that I'm not sure of. In this session owners still supervise, but there is also an 'alpha dog', owned by one of the trainers who is allowed to 'sort out' inappropriate behaviour. My friend is not comfortable that her large breed pup has been 'sorted out' on a number of occasions for no apparent reason, but it OK because the alpha dog does it.

My advice to her is that if she is not comfortable with the situation that her dog is in she should remove it and not go back - there are other ways to socialise your dog. I've seen these sessions and plenty of people love them, but this is the first I've head of the Alpha dog's role.

What do others think about this sort of set up?

[Tassie]

Personally - I would not be happy with it. One club I'm at has some off lead time for puppies in the puppy class (in an enclosed area), but carefully monitored by the dog-savvy instructor. Puppies are matched for off lead time with appropriate age/temperament/sized puppies. Puppies that go OTT are quietly put back on their leads. Shy puppies are respected.

I do sometimes have puppies in my puppy class (on lead because of the area it's in) greeting a bomb-proof adult dog (also on lead) with handler - another instructor - we provide commentary, and stop if puppy is too full on or adult is getting a bit fed up.

[W Sibs]

I wont be 100% comfortable with this situation.

I have nothing against older dogs correcting my puppy, but I will have to be able to trust/like the older dog (as well as their owner) too.

[dandybrush]

i have to say i am comfortable with it, i think the role model dog is teaching the young ones good manners. that said my older boy raz at nearly 3 was getting what i thought of as picked on by a different alpha dog, though those of you that know raz he is a high energy dog and its possible that this other dog was just trying to get him to calm down.

if i was this person i would maybe go a couple of other times, as if you are not comfortable you can grab your dog and remove it and put it in a settle yourself before the alpha dog steps in. if the problem persists i prob wouldnt go back, but i do know the school you are talking about and i fully trust their judgement and i have met this dog and he is really just trying to teach the pups manners sometimes dogs see subtle signs we dont know about i find him a very handy tool but its really up to the owners comfort and what they deem appropriate for their dogs

[Brennan's Mum]

I think if your friend is not happy attending the puppy play group then she needs to consider going elsewhere.

[aussielover]

I have no problems in letting an older dog correct a puppy (within reason, so long as the pup isn't actually harmed)), although I would hope to intervene before the older dog felt it was necessary to do this.

Not sure how I would feel in this situation though- I think I would have to meet the dog and the owner before I made a judgement.

Personally I think its better for puppies to be socialised with adult dogs who are placid but will ignore the puppy.

True alpha dogs have very little need to physically correct other dogs, usually a look or movement is enough.

[poodlefan]

If the dog has to be physical to "sort out" the pups, I'd argue its alpha status.

True alphas can usually control pups with a look or some body language. My old poodle boy can usually accomplish this with no more than a frosty stare at even large pups that think he looks like a greying squeaky toy.

A dog that has to growl and deck more than once probably doesn't have what it takes in the alpha department.

Edited August 17, 2011 by poodlefan

[Cosmolo]

Agree with the others but just wanted to add- some puppies have no idea about warning signals and for these puppies, even an alpha dog will often have to follow through- once. After that, it is generally a look or movement thats enough but some pups don't read this initially.

As for the situation- it would depend. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable with it- but thats because i have a perfectly good alpha dog here at home who helps instill manners!