Socialisation?

[Luci07]

After reading Caylas post on how she will bring a new dog straight into her home as her dogs are used to it ( and she knows what she is doing!) mine are heavily socialised due to the large numbers of dogs at the yard and I have seen other dogs, who do live on their own be somewhat overwhelmed when they first come up. However, with a bit of care and attention, everything has intergrated and found their place. Do you think that dogs are actually better when more socialised? Or are the dogs that just can't do this? I know an older dog wont necessarily accept another one in the home but apart from that? An experienced friend of mine has just taken on number 5 Stafford on a long term foster. The 12 year old bitch was supposed to be no good with other bitches or children but my friend worked with her and No 5 now mixes with the other 4 staffords (3 of whom are bitches). Oh and children have never been a issue so could have been an excuse to bin an older dog. I keep,hearing how staffords are better as solo dogs but that is not really my experience, although I accept there will be exceptions!

 

[Dobiegirl]

I happen to think socialisation is one of the most important things getting them used to other dogs as well as people.

Im sure you have seen nervous possibley aggressive dogs that have never had this and some dont even know how to act as a dog.

Im sure if there are nervous aggressive dogs its a whole lot easier to keep them away from other dogs rather than spend the time training them out of it.

Im sure there are dogs out there who have had no interaction with other dogs and whilst it gets more difficult the older they get Im sure with the right training they can be acustomed to this even if it is limited.

 

[Cahill]

i found this whilst browsing.i found it really interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR4l3-uVbW0&feature=youtu.be

 

[CAYLA]

I can see why some people are aprehensive and why caution must be taken but I also feel alot has to do with fear/aprehension on the humans behalf, hence as DG suggests it's easier to keep a dog apart then socilaise, but for me its not an option as I need to know how the dog reacts regardless of what I am told when I take it away i.e "becareful he/she is aggressive with dogs he has to be kept away from them", I keep it in mind but it does not make my decision as the "ok i will perminantly keep it away from dogs thanks for the info", I think more along the lines of "right, lets see what the issue is here" and 9/10 out of ten its the owner aprehension at the dogs first show of aggression that made them take the route of isolation.

I only have to bear in mind I have one dog to handle although I have a whole lot together as mine are not part of the problem, they are actually part of the solution

I walk in to my home, depending on breed (can explain) I unleash the dog and allow it to be sorrounded by another 10 (mine) certain breeds/sizes I loose lead and give atleast some freedom to act naturally and still allow my lot to mooch around. Those dogs need a chance to intergrate and experience a normal pack of dogs, I also firmly believe in guidance and if need be the dreaded word "reprimand" I had a god awful brattish malamute he recently, what a big bully he was his owners avoided dogs because of his lunging and rushing at dogs, he came here I firmly put him in his place and when I returned him home I took a little staffi with me, owners where shocked! even then he grumbled at him back in his own home and he still got a dig and told off and retreated to his bed like a wounded soldier
I always take caution in that these dogs will never be left unsupervised but whilst I am here they can mix as much as they like, I can hand on heart say not many dogs are truely aggressive to the point they have to be isolated from dogs forever but a unconfident owner or a one without the guidance and aids at their disposal or confidence with their handling, these dogs just need a confident handler and some boundaries, I would say the worst to handle would be a human and dog aggressive dog (a whole different ball game).
But there are indeed some true cases of aggression that will never ever be truely fixed.

 

[CazD]

I'm interested in this too, having recently had to return a dog I was fostering as he was so aggressive with other dogs. he was brilliant at home with my little bitch and they played for hours and he even slept in the same basket as her. He was ok in my parents home with their dog but once out on a walk he was a nightmare, went mental at the mere sight of another dog and if he could get to them, then he would attack and bite. I was really disappointed having to return him and felt like I'd failed him but I just couldnt cope. The rescue did manage to rehome him though.