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.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

In my experience there is nothing you could have done better. Daisy barks low and hard at other dogs when she wants them to back off, typically the other dog just keeps trying until Daisy does it enough times to thwart their advances. I use to be nervous about this, and still am when the other puppy is younger because I don't want anyone thinking she is vicious and I don't want the puppy to end up being fearful.

I think a lot of times Owners would consider Daisy mean but she has NEVER bitten and she has NEVER attacked. Daisy on the other hand was bitten at daycare.

So for what ever it's worth F. I think Luca was just telling Jackson to "back the heck off. The other thing I don't thinks it's a good idea that the other dog was on leash but I understand that Jackson's person thought she needed him under her wing.

[Sue Cooper]

Hi,  I was Jackson's foster mom and have a few observations.  In all deference to Luca,  Jackson sometimes does not speak "dogese" very well.  He becomes overexuberant and does need reminded of his manners and usually the dogs themselves know how to handle it all (he was in a pack of 7 here).  Jackson has never retaliated for a dog correction - ie: agression.  He does sometimes get more exuberant ie: zoomies, pouncing, barking,  etc. Sometimes dogs detect certain characteristics in other dogs that they just don't like.  Jackson may give off some of those vibes.   That youthful energy  IS annoying!!!! 

 He IS a young guy with lots of energy and an unknown background ,  but I see no need for a prong collar or even a training (choke) collar.  What he needs is a stong leader not a stong collar.  That will be the challenge - from pampered doodle to well behaved doodle - takes consistent and determined leadership.  That will come with time and training and mutual trust.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Sue. I appreciate the input from someone who got to know him over time. Maybe Luca was not so out of line but it was so uncharacteristic for him and I didn't know Jackson. I didn't want anyone hurt. Jackson and his owner need time to get to know each other better but she clearly thinks the world of him. Luca is used to Calla who just lets him get away with anything, like taking balls from her mouth. As to the prong collar he may not need it but he was pulling his new mom like crazy. I still use mine on my two although I agree training could prevent a lot of pulling. For me it's a kind of backup system in case almost 110 pounds of dogs decide to bolt when we are in a dangerous situation but really they walk well for me. Jackson is going for training soon and I'm sure that will help. His grooming was so beautifully done.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks. Jackson was off leash and the doodles had started to play when the incidents occurred. Maybe, if we try again it will go better. Luca has never bitten either but other dogs have attempted to bite him, TG for doodle coats.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Another thought....

We play often at the house across the street and they come over here too.   As for the dogs playing together, as you mentioned that Calla seemed aloof, well I think that is normal also.

At times we have  had 7-9 dogs. Recently, we have had four dogs.  They rarely end up playing with each other physically.  Most of them walk around and mark territory, sniff the new surroundings, run and play with balls, or constantly come back to check on their humans.   No interaction after the initial greeting.  We have been doing this for several years.   Calla and Jackson reacted the same as ours.

Only my two will get in an all out wrestling match.  Not since Spud was a puppy has he really rolled around and got down with another dog besides his sister. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, interesting observations. Jackson did want to explore and mark a bit. Calla is often the observer, no wonder she could use a little austerity program : ) Maybe Luca was a bit jealous of the attention Jackson was getting or didn't like the marking. I noticed him sniffing where Jackson had marked this morning.