Socialising With Other Dogs

[ludwig09]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering whether people think letting your dogs socialise with other dogs is essential??? If so how do you go about it? I find it very difficult and to be honest have lately been avoiding it. I just hope its not harmful to my dogs.

I used to take mine to offleads but after seeing dog fights and owners who turn up and dont pay attention to there dogs i now tend to avoid them. Plus i found nobody would pick up there dog poop and it just grossed me out all round.

Mine get an hour on lead walk a day but I do not introduce them to dogs we pass unless of course other dog is not on a lead and barges up to us and then i have no choice really. They also do 30 min each on their treadmill. Is this enough to satisfy the dog in them do you think or should they be playing with other dogs outside our pack?

[SparkyTansy]

It depends on what breed it is, and what you want them to do if you do come across another dog.

I noticed a huge difference between a bitch who wasn't overly socialised outside her pack as a youngster, and her daughter who attended puppy classes and has done a lot more meeting of other dogs. The difference is astounding.

I do not think that it is essential for dogs to go to dog parks where people just allow a free-for-all play with little to no attention on their dogs, because this can cause more bad than good.

I believe that socialisation on lead, with other friendly, social dogs and occasional free run, but controlled, play, is essential for any dog if you don't want problems down the track.

[Sandra777]

To me no.

Dogs are pack animals who like to interact with dogs in their own pack. If you have more than one dog then IMO this satisfies their need and desire to interact with other dogs.

To me it's against their hard wiring to be crazed social butterflies who like to meet multiple strange dogs every day.

Single dogs IMO need dog friends they can be dogs with, but these don't have to be different dogs every day, the same one or two or three or whatever dogs who meet up regularly and get on seem to become a "pack" and to me this is sufficient.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Sandra777

[ludwig09]

It depends on what breed it is, and what you want them to do if you do come across another dog.

I noticed a huge difference between a bitch who wasn't overly socialised outside her pack as a youngster, and her daughter who attended puppy classes and has done a lot more meeting of other dogs. The difference is astounding.

I do not think that it is essential for dogs to go to dog parks where people just allow a free-for-all play with little to no attention on their dogs, because this can cause more bad than good.

I believe that socialisation on lead, with other friendly, social dogs and occasional free run, but controlled, play, is essential for any dog if you don't want problems down the track.

Hi SparkyTansy, they are miniature schnauzers.

Edited October 24, 2011 by ludwig09

[Rebanne]

To me no.

Dogs are pack animals who like to interact with dogs in their own pack. If you have more than one dog then IMO this satisfies their need and desire to interact with other dogs.

To me it's against their hard wiring to be crazed social butterflies who like to meet multiple strange dogs every day.

Single dogs IMO need dog friends they can be dogs with, but these don't have to be different dogs every day, the same one or two or three or whatever dogs who meet up regularly and get on seem to become a "pack" and to me this is sufficient.

totally agree

[fuzzy82]

You could get away with not socialising with other dogs, as long as you do training on ignoring other dogs as well.

Personally I think it's good for them to socialise in a controlled environment, that is in classes, play groups etc, not off leash free for all play at a dog park. I never take mine to the dog park, and they never meet dogs on walks, but before and after classes I encourage them to interact with other dogs from the class.

[wuffles]

It depends on what breed it is, and what you want them to do if you do come across another dog.

I noticed a huge difference between a bitch who wasn't overly socialised outside her pack as a youngster, and her daughter who attended puppy classes and has done a lot more meeting of other dogs. The difference is astounding.

I do not think that it is essential for dogs to go to dog parks where people just allow a free-for-all play with little to no attention on their dogs, because this can cause more bad than good.

I believe that socialisation on lead, with other friendly, social dogs and occasional free run, but controlled, play, is essential for any dog if you don't want problems down the track.

Agree with this

My dogs are always going out with me in public where they are likely to come across multiple other dogs, especially one of them who trials in obedience and agility. I want them to be able to deal confidently and appropriately with a range of other breeds and personalities so it is very important to me. Most of their socialisation is with known dogs in very controlled situations but they both regularly meet strangers. as well.

If this kind of thing doesn't apply to you and you are happy with their current behaviour then it doesn't really matter!

[OSoSwift]

Mine don't tend to play with dogs outside their pack, but they do see lots of otehr dogs on a regular basis and I guess I tend to neutralise them to the other dogs. They are not at all worried about them, but don't care if they are there or not.

Rommi is more likely to go up to a dog and say hello, Lewis only talks to Whippets!

[mumtoshelley]

Shelley will happyliy play with strange dogs, Shelley also isn't the one to run up to other dogs if the other dog comes to her then she will do the play bow and play. Shelley has been trained to ignore other dogs on our walks, She knows she can only say hi if the other dog comes runing over or I say its ok. Rascal on the other end is very choosy some dogs he will sniff others he will bark at. Missy is only a puppy and is willing to go up to anything that moves.

[Red Fox]

Depends on how you define "socialise" and what you want out of your dog..

I do think dogs need to be exposed to other dogs. I don't think they necessarily need to interact with other dogs.

[espinay2]

You could get away with not socialising with other dogs, as long as you do training on ignoring other dogs as well.

Personally I think it's good for them to socialise in a controlled environment, that is in classes, play groups etc, not off leash free for all play at a dog park. I never take mine to the dog park, and they never meet dogs on walks, but before and after classes I encourage them to interact with other dogs from the class.

This above.

Agreed that if you have more than one dog in particular, social play with all and sundry other dogs is not necessary and not really 'natural' for a dog which in a more natural setting would stick to it's own pack. That said, 'socialisation' to me is not necessarily about play and more about how to act when another dog is around. To not react crazily, to ignore the other dog, to not bark at them, to not be 100% focussed on them, to not pull towards them ot drag their owners towards them etc etc. 'Socialisation' is not just about 'playing nice' but also about 'neutralisation' (as someone mentioned) and making sure your dog looks to you as the pack leader first before interacting with another dog.

'Controlled' contact with other dogs rather than the uncontrolled free for all of your average dog park is also a much better way to let your dog interact with other dogs IMO.

Edited October 24, 2011 by espinay2

[Agility Dogs]

this is how our dogs are. They have very limited interactions with 'friends', but are quite comfortable in the presence of large numbers of controlled dogs. Out of control situations are a little different.

Depends on how you define "socialise" and what you want out of your dog..

I do think dogs need to be exposed to other dogs. I don't think they necessarily need to interact with other dogs.

[corvus]

To me it's against their hard wiring to be crazed social butterflies who like to meet multiple strange dogs every day.

Aww, Kivi Tarro, you are unnatural. But, we kinda knew that. ;)