skully Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 In an effort to educate pebbles about playing with other dogs politely, we decided to enroll her into doggy daycare to try it out. At the park she normally runs over to other dogs to have a play and case, which often results in other dogs not on her energy level having a go at her, which then results in her never being let off the lead to play. I want her to know that it's not play time ALL the time and she should be able to calmly interact with other dogs as well. (I am aware that her running up to dogs at the park isn't acceptable and we are working on training for that - this is not what this thread is about) I had expected to hear that she had been running around playing with other dogs non stop when i went to pick her up, but it was quite the opposite. The daycare staff said she had been fairly quiet and kept to herself most of the day. She had still hardly sat still (fell asleep in the car on the way home), but hadn't interacted very much with the other dogs. I thought it was strange.... They said next time she would be better, once she knows we'll be coming back to pick her up and not abandoning her etc. has anyone had any interesting experiences at day care? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 It's not somewhere I'd ever take my dogs. It's not supervised well enough, nor would I like my dog to be a setting where people take their unsocialised dogs to be socialised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 A dog daycare would teach your dog exactly the opposite to what you are trying to achieve! They generally encourage the dogs to play together. It can be an overwhelming place for some dogs - my dogs would not enjoy it, and it is opposite to what I try to teach for training. It is a long time with non stop stimulation and can be very loud. Also remember she is used to it being s short amount of time outside with you and other dogs and then you leave together - most that I have seen are inside and she would be in a big group supervised by staff. I have worked in one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Any tips on how to further effectively socialise my dog without having any immediate friends with dogs that she can play with (ie. supervised in the backyard)? The only place to take her is the dog park, which has many dogs and often over excites her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Join a dog training club. There are usually opportunities for controlled socialization there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 What training have you done with her? Have you gone to classes? Play dates or off lead play at the park with other dogs generally encourages them to play with other dogs rather than a greet and move on approach. Teaching your dog to meet and move on or to be comfortable around other dogs but work with you and listen to you and not always interact with other dogs can often be taught in training classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Any tips on how to further effectively socialise my dog without having any immediate friends with dogs that she can play with (ie. supervised in the backyard)? The only place to take her is the dog park, which has many dogs and often over excites her... Obedience classes, agility classes are both good fun ways to socialise the dog in a controlled environment, or like HW said join a dog club. I would stay away from doggy day care, have heard too many disaster stories, although I'm sure many dogs cope fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Any tips on how to further effectively socialise my dog without having any immediate friends with dogs that she can play with (ie. supervised in the backyard)? The only place to take her is the dog park, which has many dogs and often over excites her... Socialisation is about a lot more than allowing your dog to play with other dogs. If fact, your dog sounds like she needs LESS of that and MORE control around other dogs. How to teach that? I agree with HW, with the exception that most dog clubs don't seem to train that well either. Learn to engage with your dog and teach her a recall. Train a "go play" as well as a "leave it/come one" so that she learns that she doesn't get to play with every dog. If it was my dog I wouldn't leave her in a day care ever again. Lots of uncontrolled dogs being supervised by young girls doesn't make for a safe environment. Chances are the only lesson she would learn there is to become a bully. I'd rather spend my money on a good trainer (lots aren't good...) and learn to engage her rather than spending it on day care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 We go to obedience at Leichhardt Dog Training club on sundays. She's moved up to 3rd class and we've been complimented on her progress. Last weekend though we were doing some recall exercises and as soon as my husband unhooked her lead (following what the instructor did) she thought it was play time and ran off after some other dogs. So i am now doing off lead training in the small fenced park near our house when we're on our own (no other dogs or people). She has so much fun off lead and her recall is getting much much better, but lately i haven't been letting her off her lead at the dog park where we do obedience because she runs to meet all the dogs and they can snap at her (she is very boisterous). She especially seems to annoy dogs that are chasing a ball. She doesn't take no for an answer and just wants them to play, then is escalates and i have to put her back on lead and walk away. I'm getting very frustrated because I'm not sure what to do to curb the behaviour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Sounds like her recall needs to be worked on. Get a good quality long line (leash) to start with. She must be on this for all recall training. If she is allowed offleash then she'll learn that she can ignore you and continue playing - much more interesting than going back to you. Reward her with food, praise and a game for coming back. Be more fun than other dogs. If she ignores you reel her in. The DVD "Really Reliable Recall" has great tips for training the recall. Also search the training forum for tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertrude139 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 How old is she? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 She will run off because she hasn't been taught otherwise. She has been taught free for all is good & means she can do what she wants & not listen to you . She needs to learn that playing offleash is a privilege & with that comes expectations & manners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 she's 18 months old. Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 She's a very pretty girl :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 PM the doler Plan B - they have got a renowned trainer in to do a seminar on owning a bull breed - it sounds excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertrude139 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 There is a topic called "triangle of temptation" on this forum somewhere, I don't know how to link to it. It is about drive training and may help you, I have heard very positive feedback about it. I agree that recall training is your best bet. When I use a long line for recall training I start in a distraction free area then go to areas with increasingly more distractions as we progress. Maybe if she is already used to doing what she wants in the dog park you can go there and do long line recall training when there are no other dogs around so that she learns that she has to recall in the dog park as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertrude139 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 PM the doler Plan B - they have got a renowned trainer in to do a seminar on owning a bull breed - it sounds excellent. good idea! earlier today they had 8 places left in the class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Forget about encoruaging her to play with unknown dogs and focus on building a greta bond between you and the dog and recall. Take her to formal obedience, there often the opportunity to mingle with other dogs that have a stable temperament The best SBT is an indifferent one , when it comes to other dogs. There's going to come a day when another dog takes exception to yours, she meets a dog that doesn't back down or misreads a dog. When that day comes, it's not going to be pretty. Avoid dog parks and doggy day care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Any tips on how to further effectively socialise my dog without having any immediate friends with dogs that she can play with (ie. supervised in the backyard)? The only place to take her is the dog park, which has many dogs and often over excites her... Socialisation is about a lot more than allowing your dog to play with other dogs. If fact, your dog sounds like she needs LESS of that and MORE control around other dogs. How to teach that? I agree with HW, with the exception that most dog clubs don't seem to train that well either. Learn to engage with your dog and teach her a recall. Train a "go play" as well as a "leave it/come one" so that she learns that she doesn't get to play with every dog. If it was my dog I wouldn't leave her in a day care ever again. Lots of uncontrolled dogs being supervised by young girls doesn't make for a safe environment. Chances are the only lesson she would learn there is to become a bully. I'd rather spend my money on a good trainer (lots aren't good...) and learn to engage her rather than spending it on day care. Thanks Megan - yes I tend to agree, I don't think i'll take her to daycare again. I will look into the bull breed education day out at dural. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone - very much appreciated :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwynwen Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 (edited) We go to obedience at Leichhardt Dog Training club on sundays. She's moved up to 3rd class and we've been complimented on her progress. Last weekend though we were doing some recall exercises and as soon as my husband unhooked her lead (following what the instructor did) she thought it was play time and ran off after some other dogs. So i am now doing off lead training in the small fenced park near our house when we're on our own (no other dogs or people). If I remember rightly, the Leichhardt club classes are held adjacent to an off leash dog park without fencing. If this is still the case, perhaps find a class without the nearby distractions. Brush Farm club has a good venue, although I've only been to a workshop there - not a club class. ed. spelling Edited November 19, 2012 by dwynwen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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