Puppy socialising

[Emilyxx]

I really need some advice and I can't seem to find anyone else who is having the same problem with their puppy. I have a 4 month old miniature schnauzer. She is quite clever for her age and is taking to whistle training well, she's nice and social with people, even strangers, but when it comes to dogs everything changes.

If she is on the lead she will look interested in the other dogs and start to walk towards them excitedly. But god forbid they decide to come over to greet her, she just freakes out! We have taken her on walks with 3 different dogs (we heard its good to get dogs socialising with other dogs early) and she has had the same reaction to every single one. One was a pug, the other a golden retriever and the other a Labrador all of varying ages.

She gets really nervous and will start crying, sitting on the floor and backing away quickly if they try to come near her. And when I mean cry, it's like a really distressed yelping like she is been tortured! But as soon as the dog doesn't pay her any attention or walks away from her, she will follow it and stand next to it. She even chased the Labrador around the park but as soon as it turned around to chase her she panicked and started yelping again so I had to pick her up.

She seems really unsure about if she wants to play or not. I even made the Labrador sit down and I held his collar while my pup edged closer for a sniff but when it moved its head she would run away. I don't know why she is so distressed and I don't know if I'll be doing more damage by being persistent and making her be around other dogs when she really seems to hate it.

I would really appreciate any tips you could give me. It does get quite embarrassing at times when she is kicking off.

Thanks

 

[gypsysmum2]

Dogs have a window of opportunity for socialising. It is started in the litter and then continues until about twelve weeks of age. After that they go through a fear period at around 14 weeks of age. If they do not get to see lots of sights and sounds and dogs and people during the critical period up to twelve weeks they struggle to come to terms with unfamiliar things.

The reason she is comfortable approaching other dogs is because they are less scary if she chooses her own pace. If they approach her they are invading her space and the fight/flight response kicks in. If she cannot "flee" because she is "trapped" on lead then she gets very fearful.

Fear prevents learning.

Each time fear kicks in she is unable to learn that the other dog is safe to be around. Dogs do not have our reasoning powers. They just see life as it presents itself. See a scary thing - run away. Can't run away? - then panic!

It is not too late to socialise your puppy but you need to go much more slowly and carefully. Do not allow other dogs to approach her. Call out to people that "can she approach in her own time please ?". She needs lots and lots (and lots and lots) of positive experiences around other dogs where she does not get fearful and so is able to learn.

Well run puppy socialisation classes, preferably run by a member of the APDT, will help enormously.

If it is safe to do so, letting her off lead with another, calm and safe, dog will help. Being able to run and hide from the dog will help keep her fear levels down. The other dog being on lead will help her too. Always allow her to move away to a safe distance and wait until her fear has subsided before moving any closer.

Find a place to sit, undisturbed, and watch dogs come and go. Make it a positive experience by feeding treats and playing games, if she feels able to.

Lack of socialisation can turn into fear aggression. It is imperative, therefore, that you socialise her as soon as possible and at her own pace. Each scary experience will set her back. Each positive experience will improve things. Try not to pick her up as this reinforces her fear. Move a safe distance away and wait for her to regain her composure.

 

[carriescanines]

i agree with gypsymum2, i would find a trainer who only uses positive, reward based methods and explain your issues so they can help you build your dogs confidence and give you some guidance. Its always hard when its your own dog, but don't be embarrassed by her she is just telling you she is not happy with the situation. Don't force her into any situations and give her plenty of reassurance, she needs to be able to rely on you

you need to show her the scary thing (the others dogs) are ok and nothing to be frightened off but ding it at a distance.

Lots of positive experiences with dogs at a distance, playing games with her and asking her to do commands, easy ones like sit, for food rewards will help make it a more positive experience. if she doesn't want the food you are probably too close and move further away until she is more comfortable.

as above, ask people to keep there dogs at a distance for you, just say she's in training and needs space.

she will also soon be going into the second fear impact stage, so you need to be extra carful for positive experiences as anything that scares her at this point in her life can stick for life. I have done a blog on uunderstanding your dogs development stages which will help you understand her too

http://www.carriescanines.co.uk/blog.html

attached is a fab illustration too which will help you understand your dogs body language by Lili Chin