Dog Socialisation with Smudgy Bear

[jenb]

Hello Friends

I need some advice on dog socialisation with Smudgy as he is a bit disabled and lead only for at least the next 2 months. I have been walking him locally through the woods and we do meet other dogs, but just keep on moving and I remain completely calm and confident as we pass. What I don't want to happen is for him to become ill mannered with other dogs because he doesn't meet them.

I have a friend who is happy to walk her collie with us and they will get to know each other. Is this enough? What else should I be doing?

My previous dog was a Staff x Whippet who became a bit of a grump with other dogs and I want to do my best to avoid this.

All advice welcomed.

Thanks Jen

[cherylW]

Hiya Jen, how is Smudge doing? Hope he's settling in with you well ;D

I think what you are doing already sounds good, just walking calmly passed other dogs while he is on the lead, if he started to pay them too much attention, bark or lunge you could try distracting him with treats, toys etc. But it sounds like he's very calm so you probably won't have any issues there.

I think it would be a good idea to introduce him to your friend's dog on leads so he can have some level of socialisation while he's recuperating. Parallel walk them at a distance first, gradually reducing the distance until they are able to walk side by side calmly. You should then be able to let them have a sniff and keep walking. That's how I introduce my dog to any dog that I think she may be anxious about and it works every time. If I was to do a face to face greeting straight away she would more than likely not react well!

I'm sure you know all that though , and I am no dog behaviourist, Ijust know what works for me ;D You'll do fine I'm sure

[skye]

Hey Jen.
Glad smudge is happily recuperating on your sofa!
Socialisation is a toughy isn't it! None of mine are terribly social beings (mostly only registering other dogs when they are standing in the way of tennis balls) but sounds like your doing the right things, I recon never underestimate the effect of your confidence on he dogstar. Sorry I can't help!!!

[jenb]

Thanks both, yes Smudge is very good and I think I have been very lucky to have a dog from CDH that has already been (I think) quite a well looked after and loved pet. He is house trained and seems to know about how to travel by car, how to behave around children and now after just a few days he walks on a lead quite happily with very little pulling.

He is very responsive to 'claiming my space' techniques so he knows that he cannot step up into the kitchen where the cats are fed or come upstairs. The other night one of the cats let him out of the kitchen and we found him settled down at the bottom of the stairs. My son's have also been claiming their space, by ensuring that they go through doors first and that he does not approach them while they are eating.

He also knows sit, down and paw, so I believe these were taught to him before he found himself in CDH.

He loves his toys and is often reluctant to let them go, so we have decided that toys are for the garden and don't come on walks as I think he may become a little possessive if other dogs approach. Once he is allowed off the lead I think we will take his toys out to play, but for now, we are aiming for calm and happy walks, however you can never do anything about the dogs off the lead who come hurtling towards us when we are out, I just do my best to be calm and I may try yawning as was suggested in another thread.

He is a great family pet and we hope to have him very well trained by the end of the month.

[Baglady]

wtg Smudgie Bear

It's lovely to read how well he's settling, and how quickly he's learning 'the rools' ;D

I have a picture in my head of Friends everywhere 'yawning' at their dogs

[clairelt]

haha I was just about to try the yawning!