Puppy Party - TRAUMA!!!

KJJ

KJJ

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O-M-G!!

I think I had my heart renched out lastnight!!!
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My poor ickle puppy!!
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Went into puppy party and all sat down.. did a pass around of all the puppies, Finn (9wks), a JRT (9wks), a black lab (10wks) and a Highland Terrier (13wks) all went well EVERYONE loved Finn.. who incidently was twice the size of the lab, 3 times the size of the terrier and about 8 times the size of the jack russell!!!

Anywho... passed them round... til they came back to owners... then brushed their teeth... so far so good..

Then the nurses did a talk whilst puppies sat on laps.... Finn bless him decided sleeping was a good idea and snored the whole way through!!!
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Then it was time to play!!!
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Excellent - or so we thought...

Finn was put on the floor and was promptly chased by the Highland terrier - PINNED in the corner, cried and shook
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... I was desperate to pick him up but nurses said to let them play... ERM HELLO!!! He wasn't playing he was scared stiff.. I almost burst into tears!!! ... Vet advised to pick Finn up for a while... when I did he wedged his head under my chin and wouldn't look at anyone or anything... the 3 remaining puppies started playing/barking/humping!!!

Said I'd like Finn to leave on good note so could we try again... but WITHOUT the Hterrier... put him down with the Lab and he wandered round the room wagging his tail but ignoring the other dog... finally he sat down and the lab started bouncing and barking... Finn started striking out and growling.... then Lab was distracted with food and walked off... Finn the slowly wandered up behind him and started sniffing his tail... and wagging his but soon retreated behind my legs when lab turned round
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So now OH says I have a "Big Gay Dog" ... I replied "better than a Big Agressive Dog"

Bought Finn home and he immediatley started playing with our other dog so he is none the worse for the experience...

I really don't want to go to the next Party but feel I should so that Finn gets used to them....

I just felt so 'protective' over my little boy!!
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Sorry just had to write that down!! No replies expected!!
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Feel really disheartened though
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god, Highland terriers are the spawn of satan!Its a vital part of your pups education though. he needs to learn that some dogs may be more dominant, he may be more dominant etc its all part of the socialisation and is being done in a safe environment with dogs of a similar age.
Flynn was the biggest of his group too and was seen off by a JRT! You may find the next party completely different as they change so quickly in a week/fortnight.
 
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god, Highland terriers are the spawn of satan!Its a vital part of your pups education though. he needs to learn that some dogs may be more dominant, he may be more dominant etc its all part of the socialisation and is being done in a safe environment with dogs of a similar age.
Flynn was the biggest of his group too and was seen off by a JRT! You may find the next party completely different as they change so quickly in a week/fortnight.

[/ QUOTE ]Yeah I know it's a HUGE part in his education and will continue to go to them... it was just so upsetting seeing him cower and cry cos he was scared!!
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I just find it weird that he is so gungho with our dog at home ( he was from the outset) ... all very strange?!?
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Poor Finn - but I did warn you a terrier is a terrier!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]LMAO!! Funnily thought the JRT didn't worry him...

My poor poochy!!
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no, not strange.home is his territory now! lots of strange dogs who are learning about behaviour themselves etc confidence from him will come from different situations-am sure he will be absolutely fine
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Is he old enough to go out and about elsewhere yet?

Westies were my least fave dog as a vet nurse-guaranteed to nip!
 
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no, not strange.home is his territory now! lots of strange dogs who are learning about behaviour themselves etc confidence from him will come from different situations-am sure he will be absolutely fine
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[/ QUOTE ]No sorry I meant as he was so cinfident with our other dog from the first second they met!! Although TBH Tinker isn't in your face .. although he is whizzy excited he doesn't tend to bark!!
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Is he old enough to go out and about elsewhere yet?

[/ QUOTE ]No not yet - he's 9weeks old... he has his second injection next monday.
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Westies were my least fave dog as a vet nurse-guaranteed to nip!

[/ QUOTE ]I'm not a huge fan of little dogs TBH.. although bumbledog is obv an exception!!
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Ahh poor Finn. All part of growing up I suppose. I wouldn't worry about having a gay dog. I swear Ginger, one of my cats is gay.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm not worried about that at all.. TBH I'd rather have a softie than something that I have to watch all the time incase he gets agressive!!
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I've got to say it and I'm sorry if any of you are offended in advance but what kind of monty roberts' idea is that?
Poor puppy, no wonder he was petrified. He hasn't been with you five minutes, he's only nine weeks old and you want him to go out into the big bad world on his own; I can't believe that this is organized by vets. You'll be glad to know that words almost fail me!
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If he hasn't even finished his course of injections that's even worse; he shouldn't be outside your own premises at all until they have been completed let alone mixing with other dogs not belonging to you.
I know dogs have to be socialised as early as possible but for God's sake, that's far too young, you'll be having to take him to a shrink next to repair the damage!
He's young, he needs to bond with you and feel you are his anchor before you chuck him to the wolves like that.
I'm sorry, I'd be giving that vet practise a piece of my mind that's for sure; they might be professionals but they certainly haven't thought about the pup's minds at all, it's enough to blow them and make them shy of other dogs forever if you're not careful.
Sorry, I'll now get me coat, you won't hear another word out of me!!
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To be honest the same sort of thing happened with Brego the first time he did this sort of thing.

It is better that he learns to be cautious with other dogs whilst he is still small rather than him get big and not be as cautious and accidentally hurt another dog. I'm not surprised he was scared he probably thinks of himself as being the smallest dog, not realising how big he is. Brego was the same. You don't want him to be scared of other dogs but you do want him to be cautious. When you have a big dog people are more likely to make accusations, thats why you have to be more on top of the nipping thing and him being cautious around other dogs etc.

If he is scared he should be allowed to come to you, he shouldn't be forced to join in and he shouldn't be reassured that to be frightened is the right thing to do, sounds gobblegook but it made sense in my head
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Puppies can be scary to other puppies because they don't behave in a rational manner, especially when you are used to older dogs that follow behaviour rules. Puppies do what the hell they like when they like!

Don't worry too much but make sure he has more positive experiences with other puppies perhaps?

Emma
 
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I've got to say it and I'm sorry if any of you are offended in advance but what kind of monty roberts' idea is that?
Poor puppy, no wonder he was petrified. He hasn't been with you five minutes, he's only nine weeks old and you want him to go out into the big bad world on his own; I can't believe that this is organized by vets. You'll be glad to know that words almost fail me!
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If he hasn't even finished his course of injections that's even worse; he shouldn't be outside your own premises at all until they have been completed let alone mixing with other dogs not belonging to you.
I know dogs have to be socialised as early as possible but for God's sake, that's far too young, you'll be having to take him to a shrink next to repair the damage!
He's young, he needs to bond with you and feel you are his anchor before you chuck him to the wolves like that.
I'm sorry, I'd be giving that vet practise a piece of my mind that's for sure; they might be professionals but they certainly haven't thought about the pup's minds at all, it's enough to blow them and make them shy of other dogs forever if you're not careful.
Sorry, I'll now get me coat, you won't hear another word out of me!!
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[/ QUOTE ]I'm not offended M, TBH we went on the advice of the vets.... like I said above my heart was renched out and I just wanted to grab my boy and hug him - which incidently I did... and he kept running back (as I was crouching) and cuddling up to me... My puppy has bonded with me and I'm obv a safe area for him.

Unfortunately these things have to be tried before you know the reaction... Like I said above I'm not sure about going again... I think I should but I'm not convinced I will...

As for the vaccination thing.. only puppies that were there were vaccinated and it was held in a sterile surgery room.

He is no worse off for going he came home and was bouncing around with his 'brother' I'm just not sure I'm going to go again.
 
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To be honest the same sort of thing happened with Brego the first time he did this sort of thing.

It is better that he learns to be cautious with other dogs whilst he is still small rather than him get big and not be as cautious and accidentally hurt another dog. I'm not surprised he was scared he probably thinks of himself as being the smallest dog, not realising how big he is. Brego was the same. You don't want him to be scared of other dogs but you do want him to be cautious. When you have a big dog people are more likely to make accusations, thats why you have to be more on top of the nipping thing and him being cautious around other dogs etc.

If he is scared he should be allowed to come to you, he shouldn't be forced to join in and he shouldn't be reassured that to be frightened is the right thing to do, sounds gobblegook but it made sense in my head
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[/ QUOTE ]That was my thinking hence after them saying he's playing I made him come over and he had a huge cuddle... he could probably sense I was worried about him too!!
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Puppies can be scary to other puppies because they don't behave in a rational manner, especially when you are used to older dogs that follow behaviour rules. Puppies do what the hell they like when they like!

[/ QUOTE ]That I think is the problem... because the other pups were so full on... I think he just didn't like the fact that they were in his face... he acted submissive and they just carried on.. THAT is why I wanted him picked up immediatley... he'd done correctly and shown that he wasn't trying to be top dog yet they continued... that again is why I requested he be put down with the lab that actually took heed of his actions.
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Don't worry too much but make sure he has more positive experiences with other puppies perhaps?

Emma

[/ QUOTE ]The problem being we don't know any other puppies... however the vet nurse has offered for him to go play with her lab when he is allowed out and about... I don't think he has an issue with dogs as they respect his actions... e.g see he's not trying to be dominant!!

Oh god I do feel awful though - my poor puppy
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The problem being we don't know any other puppies... however the vet nurse has offered for him to go play with her lab when he is allowed out and about... I don't think he has an issue with dogs as they respect his actions... e.g see he's not trying to be dominant!!

Oh god I do feel awful though - my poor puppy
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Don't feel awful you weren't to know it would happen like that, so don't beat yourself up about it and he was back to his sunny self when he got home so it didn't do too much to his confidence either.

TBH, you don't have to use puppies to introduce him to new dogs. Haven't you friends with nice natured dogs or neighbours who would be willing to call round with them sometime (I'd do it singly, not all at once!) when he's finished his course of jabs? That way, he is on his home patch so will be more relaxed about it and more likely to not be worried and will play with them. Just be careful they are 'nice' dogs too, not inclined to snap or anything. This way he will meet all sorts in a safe environment which will in turn give him the confidence to cope when he meets other dogs outside the home. Then you can look around for puppy classes/ training or over six months, agility, which is a lot of fun - the dogs enjoy it too!!
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and you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. Just take it slowly to start with; you'll both get there in the end and you'll have a well behaved dog you can take anywhere.
 
awww poor Finn - bless him. at least he wasn't too traumatised by the whole experience. Perhaps the other dogs were just all too boisterous for him?
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he probably needs a quieter puppy to play with and one which won't scare him or chase him.

good luck if you do go again although i would be tempted not too.
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Don't feel awful you weren't to know it would happen like that, so don't beat yourself up about it and he was back to his sunny self when he got home so it didn't do too much to his confidence either.

[/ QUOTE ]Thanks hun... am nearly in tears when I think about it... I do feel bad and wanted to grab him and leave immediately!!
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TBH, you don't have to use puppies to introduce him to new dogs. Haven't you friends with nice natured dogs or neighbours who would be willing to call round with them sometime (I'd do it singly, not all at once!) when he's finished his course of jabs? That way, he is on his home patch so will be more relaxed about it and more likely to not be worried and will play with them. Just be careful they are 'nice' dogs too, not inclined to snap or anything. This way he will meet all sorts in a safe environment which will in turn give him the confidence to cope when he meets other dogs outside the home.

[/ QUOTE ]Yes I have a friend with a golden retriever that could come round... vet advised it would be OK now before his second Jab but I am going to wait til he's fully covered TBH!!
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Then you can look around for puppy classes/ training or over six months, agility, which is a lot of fun - the dogs enjoy it too!!
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and you'll wonder what all the fuss is about.

[/ QUOTE ]We are going to be calling a puppy trainer in the next week or so... she's extremely good and is booked up til way past Xmas... so we need to book in now for when he's ready!!!
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Just take it slowly to start with; you'll both get there in the end and you'll have a well behaved dog you can take anywhere.

[/ QUOTE ]TBH it's the vets... they are saying socialise socialise socialise when they are this small.. IMO the fact that he is with his 'brother' is a head start from some 'lone' puppies anyway...

I think I am going to wait til he is fully vaccinated ...

I will be taking him to the yard with me... but there are 8 dogs down there.. what I think I will do is place him in my stable with me for the first few day/week and play in the straw with him and jump around and have fun - him and his brother... then perhaps introduce a 'nice' dog in with him.. whilst brother is held in corner (he will just want to play and knock Finn over) .. and do it that way.. not just take him down there and let 8 dogs surround him... TBH the dogs at the yard aren't the most trust worthy... I will have to watch them constantly!! So the couple that are Ok, will help him get used to them first.

Thanks for your advice... it seems the vets are all gungho get it done now... he needs it blah blah but I shall tell vet on monday that I wasn't happy in the puppy class and Finn certainly wasn't and that it wasn't a positive experience for him... I also don't want him associating the vets with feeling threatened.

*sighs*
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awww poor Finn - bless him. at least he wasn't too traumatised by the whole experience. Perhaps the other dogs were just all too boisterous for him?
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he probably needs a quieter puppy to play with and one which won't scare him or chase him.

[/ QUOTE ]That was the problem.. they were too in your face.. he was ssssssssoooo laid back in comparison to the other wriggly high strung puppies.. so I think it freaked him out.
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good luck if you do go again although i would be tempted not too.
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[/ QUOTE ]I'm undecided.. I think OH will want us to go again though
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awww poor you. Do you know anyone witha quieter puppy who lives near you who you could perhaps meet up with at each others houses etc? that would be ideal!
 
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awww poor you. Do you know anyone witha quieter puppy who lives near you who you could perhaps meet up with at each others houses etc? that would be ideal!

[/ QUOTE ]No - not puppies... dogs yes... but not ickle pups... hmmm
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that's a shame. although does it have to be puppies? I am sure any dogs would be ok if they had the right temperament?

[/ QUOTE ]As M said dogs will be fine... Will think about it when he's fully vacc. xx
 
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oh yes I forgot about that
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well good luck whatever you decide to do xxx

[/ QUOTE ]I've have just spoken to OH and he has agreed that we won't go again.
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I haven't read all the replies, but if he was my puppy I would not take him to another puppy party. He has a dog companion, and he can socialise with other dogs when you take him to puppy classes, where the behaviour should be better monitored and dogs are generally kept on their leads. I think the nurse was quite wrong to let the terrier continue to terrorise him, and if I had been the owner of either dog I would have been seriously unimpressed. You do not want a good natured dog to be made nervous, especially as he is a large dog and nerves can translate into aggression, nor a small terrier to be allowed to continue behaving like that.
 
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god, Highland terriers are the spawn of satan!

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Unfortunately terriers can be a little territorial! I have had numerous terriers, including a Highland terrier, and while they are fantastic people dogs they CAN be bit silly with other dogs. Highlands are not all that bad though
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Ours was a real sweetie and highly intelligent...just a bit of a missy with other dogs!
 
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I haven't read all the replies, but if he was my puppy I would not take him to another puppy party. He has a dog companion, and he can socialise with other dogs when you take him to puppy classes, where the behaviour should be better monitored and dogs are generally kept on their leads. I think the nurse was quite wrong to let the terrier continue to terrorise him, and if I had been the owner of either dog I would have been seriously unimpressed.

[/ QUOTE ]As I said above (which you may not have read!) - I wasn't impressed that the nurses let him be terrorised hence me stepping in and swiftly scooping up my pup!!
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You do not want a good natured dog to be made nervous, especially as he is a large dog and nerves can translate into aggression, nor a small terrier to be allowed to continue behaving like that.

[/ QUOTE ]EXACTLY!!! The owners of the terrier are clueless... the vet asked if they entered the house before the dog.. they were like no.. I mean surely everyone knows that the puppy should wait and go second?!?! It's certainly the boss!!
 
obviously noone wants your puppy terrorised but he has to learn that not all dogs are friendly, happy pleased to see him types. he needs to learn all sorts of body language in order to react normally to it.

I have a collie cross rescue-got him 12 months old. he seemingly wasnt socialised at all.I love him to bits but its been bloody hard work the 9 years I've had him.

the setter I went to great pains to socialise, puppy classes, dog training etc and is happy and confident. I cant remember the exact details but there is an optimum time to expose them to other dogs and I believe it to be between 8-12 weeks.After that the fear response becomes much more marked (am sure someone will correct me if thats incorrect). Obviously with jabs this isnt possible hence the puppy party idea.

and I'm sorry if I offended any westie owners-IME they were the dogs most likely to nip. I guess if I were that small and prone to a lifetime of itchiness I would be grumpy too! very cute as puppies though!
 
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oh yes I forgot about that
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well good luck whatever you decide to do xxx

[/ QUOTE ]I've have just spoken to OH and he has agreed that we won't go again.
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that's good news then!
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i took Polly to puppy training classes and there was one terrier that took an instant disliking to her, at the end of each session we'd let them off for a play, but the first time it really went for and was seriously agressive, i refused to let her off at the end after that. I didnt do her any harm, but its equally not a nice experience for them. Shes naturally really friendly with dogs anyways so we havent had any problems with her.

im sure Finn will be fine
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obviously noone wants your puppy terrorised but he has to learn that not all dogs are friendly, happy pleased to see him types. he needs to learn all sorts of body language in order to react normally to it.

I have a collie cross rescue-got him 12 months old. he seemingly wasnt socialised at all.I love him to bits but its been bloody hard work the 9 years I've had him.

the setter I went to great pains to socialise, puppy classes, dog training etc and is happy and confident. I cant remember the exact details but there is an optimum time to expose them to other dogs and I believe it to be between 8-12 weeks.After that the fear response becomes much more marked (am sure someone will correct me if thats incorrect). Obviously with jabs this isnt possible hence the puppy party idea.

and I'm sorry if I offended any westie owners-IME they were the dogs most likely to nip. I guess if I were that small and prone to a lifetime of itchiness I would be grumpy too! very cute as puppies though!

[/ QUOTE ]Oh I know that the nurses weren't letting Finn be terrorised on purpose but suely you can see when enough is enough!!

Anywho - we have decided not to take him again, but are going to socialise with friends dogs and yard dogs etc.

Thanks for the above - I do agree that it did him good to be submissive but to then be 'bullied' once he'd stood down isn't fair!!!
 
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