Doodle Visit

[F, Calla & Luca]

Today Jackson,  a recently adopted doodle and his owner came for a play date. Jackson is a gorgeous ?kind of doodle who was a stray. He reminds me of Ann and Mike's Sheba a bit.

Jackson is now thought to be about 18mos old and he weighs 63 pounds.

All did not go as planned although no disasters ensued. Jackson, on a leash, Luca and Calla sniffed each other through the fence and then he came in the yard. Twice Luca growled and barked at him while they were playing and that was it for Luca. He went on a leash and later, when I wanted to be more free, into his crate. He was unhappy but he's recovered. I know dogs need to work it out but I did not want to take a chance with a visitor's dog. Also Jackson is a recent rescue and didn't need any trauma. Jackson's owner was anxious about him being out of sight although the yard is fenced. Could any of this have  affected Luca? Jackson is the same weight as Calla but taller.Luca is only about 43 pounds. Luca has never done this although he did have two incidents where dogs did this sort of thing to him in our yard. Again, no harm done at least physically.

Any good ideas on how I could have done this better or for future reference.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Is Luca used to having other dogs "visiting" in his territory?  If not, he may have just been territorial.  The only thing I can think of that might have helped would be if you and Jackson's "Mom" walked all three dogs together on leash just for a little while outside of your yard.  I've learned that walking as a "pack" in a controlled way (leashed) usually helps to ease tension with dogs who don't know each other.  After a short walk they could have been all unleashed at the same time in the yard.  I have no idea if this would have worked, but I've read it helps and my trainer has also reconfirmed that.  Jackson is a beautiful Doodle.

[F, Calla & Luca]

A good idea and I did think of that afterward. Thanks. Luca doesn't have dog visitors often but sometimes he does. Maybe he picked something up from my son's rescue who has "issues".

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I commend you for being cautious and meeting outside the gate first.  Meeting on neutral ground first may have been a better option.  All of you taking a walk down the street and giving the dogs the longer introduction they needed.

I think they all acted really normal.  Still, when we visit the dogs across the street there are moments in the beginning that are intense--good and bad, then all seems to settle.

Lucky you!  How is Jackson and his new mom doing?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good advice. Jackson and his mom seem to be doing really well. He is an active, playful pup. He needs a prong collar IMHO but his mom will have to decide that. His coat is beautiful and soft. He may get DNA testing at some point and he will live a pampered doodle life now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Is it possible that Luca's barking and growling were meant in a playful way? Does he bark and growl at Calla to get her to play, or while they're playing?

It really doesn't sound like anyone did anything wrong, although I wish Jackson had been allowed to move freely off leash. A dog who's on leash while others aren't can sometimes feel defensive, and he may have been giving off some signals that Luca responded to.

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, Luca and Calla rarely make any noise when play fighting. Rarely I'll hear at yelp and reprimand whoever I think was a bit overenthusiastic. Jackson was off leash when he and Luca were playing and Luca seemed to have no reason for his poor host behavior. But Jackson's mom was anxious at times as to his whereabouts although I reassured her my yard is doodle escape proof now and there are no real hazards. Maybe her anxiety came through.The poor boy, Jackson, may have had a bee sting later on, not sure, but he did have a bee on him but this was later in the visit. Jackson did seem unfazed by it all. He did play bow and bark at my two later on but Luca was on leash by then and Calla was playing hard to get I guess. I did let my two have some play time before Jackson came thinking it would be better if they were a little less energetic.

[BG and Gavin]

I don't blame you for separating Luca from Jackson.  I would not take a chance with a dog I did not know.  Maybe it was a male to male machismo thing.  I wouldn\t worry too much.  If Jackson is going to be a regular visitor, I would walk them all together as others have suggested.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh I just had one more thought after re-reading.  Maybe Luca was correcting Jackson for being over-rambunctios.  Gavin has been on the receiving end of such corrections on more that one occasion.  I also for the first time saw him growl at a 7 month old puppy after playing with him for some time.  Gav had tapped out but the pup kept coming after him.  One grrr and the pup went and llied down.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I see what you mean but I don't think it was that.

[Ann Kendig]

Hey, I know that boy!  When I met him his fur was pretty short.  I pulled him from a dog shelter and transported him.  He was so sweet and well behaved on the ride to meet up with his foster mom.  And yes, he does resemble my Sheba!  Awww I'm glad you got to meet him F.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, I'm glad too. Nice doodle and a lot of reminders of Sheba.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

You are awesome Ann!