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Originally Posted by Campbell soup
Hello Barefoot. I have a question for you. I have a beautiful German Shephard who has not been socialized due to the fact ....that we do not have any dog runs in my neighborhood up here in Michigan. We have bought a home in Duval...and will be moving down to TV in July. How do I go about get her socialized. She is a great dog and very nice around humans. However, I don't know if I can trust her around other dogs. Need some advice....Thanks Bob  |
Hey Bob, congratulations on your new home in Duval.
Dogs need to be socialized gradually. I always start my dogs off in Obedience classes when they are young. This gets them used to being around other animals. I also have a lot of friends with dogs, so they are around dogs a lot when they're growing up.
When you are walking your dog in your neighbourhood in Michigan, is she friendly with other dogs? Wagging tails and sniffing each other? If so, she probably would be fine at the dog park.
Actually dogs are usually more aggressive when they're on a leash because they feel trapped. That is why leashes are prohibited within the DDRR dog park.
If your dog is growling and lunging at other dogs when she is on a leash, she needs socialization. I have some ideas for you to try if this is the case. Just let me know what kind of behavior she exhibits when she sees other dogs. I watch a lot of dog training programs on TV. "End of the Leash" is one I watch, "Me or the Dog" is another. The Dog Whisperer is excellent. I'm attending a one day seminar tomorrow on dog training .. it is one of my favourite things.
Nonie, you don't have a problem with Clara and Georgie not being socialized! They behave very well around other animals. Your dogs simply prefer humans to dogs. You might trying rewarding them with a small treat every 10 minutes when you're at DDRR, thereby creating pleasant associations for them.
Think of it like this. You don't care if you ever learn to play mahjongg. I am bored silly by sewing. And your dogs don't care if they ever play with other dogs. Just personal preference.