Jump to content

Puppy Preschool


Tanooki
 Share

Recommended Posts

G'day...

My (about?) 12 week old pup graduated from puppy preschool yesterday...

We had a very professional, kind, and helpfull trainer running the show and learned alot.

During the course the pups had play time with each other, which was good fun... except for my pup.

He showed no interest in the other dogs (loved running up to new people for pats etc...) but showed no interest in the other dogs (which were all a fair bit bigger (if it makes any difference))

After two lessons of hiding in the corner he went to stay with my Mum for a weekend while we were away and played with her 12 week old kitten, no problems they absolutely loved each other....

But when we went for the third lesson our pup coward and growled when he was approached for play by the other dogs....

Our wonderful trainer has suggested we bring him in to his next course for more socialising (free of charge) he didn't seem too concerned with our pups reaction and said it can take them some time to "come out" and said we can always call him if we have questions or problems...

You guys seem to know alot more about this than I do so I am wondering if you guys have any tips on making my little fellow confident and happy to be with other dogs.

Also just a note to say (we didn't know at the time so please don't go cranky on me) we (vet) estimate the age of our pup when he came to us to be only 5 weeks old :-( ,we we're told he was seven weeks....

Thanking you in advance

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No growling from me :D I have experienced life with an "underage" puppy - also 5 weeks old when I got him - pound puppy who was thought to be 12 weeks and he came desexed! :rofl:

So, what you're describing is definitely not unusual for a pup that's had more contact with humans during his key "dog socialisation" period (up to 8 weeks is when they learn their doggy manners from Mum and their littermates.)

During this crucial period, your puppy was with humans and so bonded to humans rather than dogs.

However, your puppy playing with Mum's kitten, indicates that pup is on the right track - even though it's a cat! :laugh:

You mentioned that the other puppies were a lot bigger than yours at preschool - it is probably beause your pup is actually younger than the other pups ie. he is 12 weeks old and the others were probably 16 weeks(?) and maybe you have a smaller breed of dog? Either way, I would find *little* pups to play with - he might still consider himself to still be that little 5 week old pup - a little bit emotionally backward because of age of separation from his litter.

Definitely take up the trainer's offer - an excellent idea and great that it will be free. Your puppy does need more puppy socialisation and next time round, it more likely to be his proper age group and maybe a couple of smaller breeds in the next class.

Don't fret about it - your pup will come around. Just be patient, understanding and don't force him - it will come naturally :rofl:

Edited to add - with the growling at other dogs. Try having 2 people at training with you - someone else familiar holds your pup while you make a fuss of and play with the other puppies (if their owners don't mind). The person holding your puppy gradually allows the pup to come closer and closer on the lead until he's "playing" as well and joining in the fun. Any sign of aggression and he is removed from the situation again by the other person. Don't push it - only a short amount of time - and run the idea past your trainer first. Make sure you engage in the same sort of "play" with your puppy at home so when he is at training he associates the game with home and "fun". Hope this helps.

Edited by t-time
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi There :thumbsup:

I would start off slowly if possible and try and introduce your pup to maybe just one other pup instead of a whole class full? Or is you know someone who also have a puppy?

I think you just need to build up your pups confidence with other dogs as the pup probably didn't get the full benefit of living with litter mates until 8 weeks old!

Good luck and I'm sure that after a bit of time and TLC everything will be O.K :thumbsup:

Mel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:) Thanks great advice!

I was told he is a foxie x jack russell... but at the moment he looks like a large chi with blue cattle dog markings????? :)

I think I'm just gonna call him a little bitza. :rofl: - current weight 1.7 kg

The other dogs at school were ridgeback, boxer, beagle, so much bigger.

I will take him back to school and try the idea of having two people. The trainer said in his next class there will be a few more "little pups" so hopefully he'll find one he clicks with....

I was also toying with the idea of having my friends dog come over for a sleep over next weekend, he is a mini foxie x mini dushcund (sp) and I know he's great playing with other dogs, and hes pretty little. so I might give that a go as well...

I'll post again to let you guys know how he goes....

Cheers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

I have a 20 wk old kelpie pup that i got at 5-6 weeks. She is very one person orientated and at puppy school turned her back on the other puppies and refused to socialise with them and other people. She lives with my other kelpie and a stumpy tail cattle dog and has can't get enough of them. So it was quite a surpise that she did not like to socialise with other dogs.

Basically, i didn't push her to socialise with the other dogs as i didn't want her is start growling and nipping and i asked other people to keep their distance with their dogs until she was ready to interact with them.

A problem i find at dog training is that people don't seem to want to give your dog space and do not have enough control of their puppies or the knowledge to see that if a dog is backing off not to let you dog lunge and jump all over it.

Basically, you go to dog training to train your dog not to really socialise them after 20 weeks.

I would not be concerned. Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Newsflash - not all dogs are friendly. Some dogs simply aren't interested in meeting new dogs and never will be. I own one just like this. he's great with people though.

The key for this dog is to teach him to tolerate strange dogs, even if he never learns to want play with them. For that to occur he needs to meet dogs that already understand dog ettiquette (ie NOT pups). They also need to be non-threatening. The number of people who make the mistake of trying to socialise an unresponsive dog with a very friendly one are legion. The unresponsive one simply learns to be aggressive to keep over the top dogs away. Big bouncy pups are not what he needs to meet.

Socialise your pup with small quiet adults at first. Once he is tolerant of them, then work your way up to more larger outgoing dogs.

Your best bet is to teach him focus and control - so you can keep him away from dogs that will want to jump on him.

You can get what you need at any good obedience club and you can start serious training. I woudn't bother with a repeat of puppy school.

My guess is your dog will develop a few friends and be happy to play with them. He'll probably never be all that interested in expanding his social circle. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with poodlefan, a lot of dogs just don't want to interact with other dogs that aren't in their 'pack', I also own one. Don't forget that in the wild a dog initiating contact with a strange pack would be either driven away or killed. The dog I have here doesn't want to play with other dogs, she's not aggressive just aloof and I never force the issue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys....

To be honest that thought never actually crossed my mind :rofl: .... but makes alot of sense!

Even if he happy to tolerate new dogs would be enough for me, The most important thing for me is that he is happy, confident and not aggressive.

I think I will taking him back to school for a another two lessons to see how he responds now that he is "little" bigger, and see how he goes.

I would like to take him obedience training, and have a few questions about that too....

What age?

Where is best?

What should he know before he goes?

What should I know before we go?

Will this fear/disinterest of other dogs be a problem there?

He seems to be really on the ball (or maybe I just think that cause I love him) but he really enjoys learning new things, and being only a newbie at this I don't want to do anything the wrong way.

I think I would really benefit from obedience training too :laugh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with poodlefan some dogs just don't like other dogs. Kasper went to puppy school and hated it and eventually figured out that barking at the other puppies when they came near him made them back off. Kasper loves people though and that is the most important to us....we have tried having the neighbours dog meet up with Kasper but to no avail. You may find your puppy never takes to other dogs...I don't think it was because he was so young.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We'll we went back to puppy pre-school

Even though some of the pups were little they were more rowdy than the last lot, and our pup was still really freaked out by them.

I took him to my sisters place and let him meet her little dog, and he seemed pretty good with that (no growling or cowaring) but lost interest pretty quickly.... That was good enough for me and I didn't push him.

I was also wondering if anyone could help me with my previous questions about joining up with an obedience club?

I live in Sydney - Western suburbs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Tanooki

I'm in western Sydney, and intend on joining Hills district Kennel & Training Club just waiting for my pup to get his second shot this weekend, they hold obedience classes at Castle Hill show grounds Monday nights from 7.00pm (I have to double check the time) annual membership is $35, weekly classes cost $3 Contact Mrs K Richards Ph: 9639 4071

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hi guys,

i am in south east melbourne, where can i enrol me and my little pup and go and make friends...its a bit like mothers group isn't it..hehehe

is there any puppy pre schoools around my side of town?

thanks

xoxo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GC - If you do not get any suggestions, most vets would have puppy pre-schools held on the premises. If not, ask your vet to recommend one.

All my pups went to puppy pre-school at my vet's.

Edited by cleo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...