Difficulty Socializing

[Marianne & Rylee]

My girl Rylee is 6 months old and we have a problem socializing.  For about 2 months - she goes crazy and brings out the worst in otherwise calm, relaxed dogs.  She jumps on them, chases, constantly nips at the face and feet – she got “schooled” by her mother a few weeks ago from that behavior at a doodle romp – but she didn’t learn.  I’m scared to take her back to a dog park.  My Mom brings her King Charles over but she is about done with that, because Rylee is nonstop chasing and nipping at him.   My brother just got a German Shepard puppy, socializes her with my mom's dog -- but has turned down my offers to get our pups together -- I understand ... who wants their new puppy to “learn” this?   Will TIME help with this behavior – she is just 6 months ? 

[Sandra Griffith]

Is Rylee playing? It sounds like it. She is an adolescent and they often are very pushy in their play. Provided she is just being an obnoxious player (and not being actually agressive), I would keep a leash on her so that you can grab her easily (don't hold onto the leash while she is playing). If she starts to get too riled up, calmly walk over to her, pick up her leash, say "too bad" in a light tone of voice and remove her from play for about 10 seconds (or until she is calm). Then return and allow her to play again. This may take quite a few times at first; being consistent is very important. It won't work if sometimes she is allowed to get carried away and sometimes she is not as this gives her a mixed message. See if you can arrange some play dates with some older well socialized dogs. They will help to teach her when she is getting out of hand. A dog park may be just too much stimulation for her at this point. I would keep your playdates smaller for the time being. Hope this helps.

[Marianne & Rylee]

Thanks for the tip, and it is just playing - not agression. She is quick to get into submissive pose when she's irritated a dog too much.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

If you have a nearby doggie daycare, they can often test your dog with other dogs. Sometimes, a controlled environment like a daycare works better than a dog park. Our Fudge can go to daycare with no problem, but we have stopped going to the dog park.

[Marianne & Rylee]

Thanks - I wish there were a doggie daycare nearby, only boarding/kennels.

[Kyoko]

Has Rylee gone to any obedience school? I believe that solid training allows dogs to be more confident in a various situation, thus reduce the difficult behaviors like this.... Charlie's trainer said that there are no need to continue rehealsing negative behavior, so I stopped going to the dog park about a year ago.... She developed difficulty with other dogs when she was about 8 months, 9 months old.... I did not want her to behave like this to the wrong dog at the dog park and get hurt either....
We have been in school for quite some time now, and she is developing some confidence, and ability to contain herself.
Good luck!!!

[Marianne & Rylee]

Thanks - and we did just finish a 2 month class, every week Rylee would jump in the air with excitement the first 20 minutes, trying to go play with the other dogs. I may have to get an AT HOME trainer.

[Kyoko]

What did your trainer think of it? Does he/she offer private for behavior matters? I am not an expert or anything, but, being with other dogs and being able to contain him/herself is actually desirable..... I hear you though... you feel like avoiding the situation that causes her to react.... May be keep the distance between Rylee and the other dogs greater, so she is more comfortable without too much arousal??

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin was/is pretty much like this with other dogs. Play, play, play. I didn't think he understood the back off cues from the other dogs, but he has gradually gotten better with age and increased exposure to other dogs. He is 15 months old now. Hang in there.

[Taylor & Huff]

You want to bring her to play with Huff? He would love to play with her!:) haha He knows if the other dog is rowdy, he can unleash his puppy play too. If the dog is too small and jumps on his face, he just puts his paw on the other dog (very gently). He knows the difference and Rylee will probably learn too. He used to be like her but know that he is 1 year old, he learned the difference. You can take her into Nordstrom (it is dog friendly), Macy's (also dog friendly), and petsmart. You can take her to these places to teach her to always be friendly to people and dogs. You can also keep her busy doing tricks or distracting her until she ca calmly greet the other dog. Good luck!:)

[Marianne & Rylee]

Thanks - it seems time is what we need, and a few more dogs to "teach" her what's not desirable play.

[Taylor & Huff]

Yes, Huff did have somewhat of a mother in a german shephard he met at the par and that could have been where he learned how to play with different dogs. She mothered him a lot. I guess we were lucky to meet her.:) Maybe you could find a dog like that for Rylee to play with?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri was like this, but daycare greatly helped. She pretty much knows when to back off now and is great with other dogs. I think it is a puppy thing. Rylee is just being super friendly, which may be overbearing to other dogs (and other breeds really). Sounds like another dog just needs to gently put her in her place and she'll figure it out.

Keep socializing her and taking her to the dogpark; however, I like daycare because they will test them first - most of the dogs are pretty friendly or they are "kicked out" LOL!