Socialising a puppy?

Brontie

Brontie

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Hey guys, would really appreciate some conformation / advice please? I've been given the task of a 20 week puppy, to teach, and socialise. Now, we met up with another dog last week, a friends dog, who was incredibly dominant and overpowering. My dog, was timid, hid, with his tail under him. Now, will he be like this with every dog he meets? Or is it just because the dog was so dominant? And, when he's nervous should I be talking to him, praising him, and playing with his toy, or should I ignore it and not make a fuss of it?

Thank you!
 
Never talk or re-assure him in these situations, but do get him out of there, at this stage avoid encounters like this dog and seek out more positive encounters, you want him to have all the positive experience he can at this impresionable age and crucial stage of socialising, so on meeting a dog like this I would say "see ya got to be going";) and walk right on by.
When u meet up with nice dogs a giddy pups of similar age let him have some fun.
Get a clicker and some primula cheese and teach him with the clicker (read up clicker training) this will be your postive distraction for when u need his focus, otherwise for now avoid th bad and suck up the good:D
 
Also to add b4 someomw knocked at me door (how rude):p think of it this way, u cannot control other peoples dogs so think of your own and the type of experienced you want him/her to have, as you can control your pup and your situation, hence the "walk away" from an unwanted scenario with minimal fuss.
 
I would try and find some neutral dogs or even hook up with a training/socialisation class.

Don't forget things like going into town, crowds, cars, bikes, joggers, prams, things like that.

Clicker training is good, it is also great fun (says the convert) I am getting my pup (not that much older than yours - by the way, five months is the second 'crucial' period in socialisation :P) to walk past people and other dogs by keeping him focused on food in my hand/pocket.
Feed the pup from your pockets whilst out on a walk rather than giving him a meal, taking him out or feeding him when you get back, take food out of his daily allowance so good behaviour is rewarded, by him focusing on you, rather than distractions, he gets his grub. If he is not food motivated then use a ball or toy to get his attention instead.

Mine was a bit funny about tractors and motorcyles, so for instance, if I see or hear one coming, I do not react or get ready to fuss him, just have food in my hand, tease him with it (so he can sniff it but not grab it) and while he was doing that in a sit, as the tractor passes, instead of fixating on it, he was looking for his food, so click and reward by giving him the food.
 
Yup, we're throwing him in at the deep end Saturday and we'll be taking him to the local carnival. We wont be out for long, as so it's not too over whelming. Touch wood he's not too bothered by other dogs, and people, just interested and occasionally will stop to look, unlike our old dog who used to strain at the lead. Will be Pm'ing you now Cayla.
 
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