I don't want my dog to get hurt!!!!!!!! Socialization.?

Question

A man sternly told us this at puppy "socialization" class last night.

Our pup was playing with a poodle and was getting the upper hand. The poodle wasn't crying in pain, just playing along and losing often. Our dog, like many, will grab the ears, mouth, scruff... And be happy to have this done to him if the other dog has the skill to take him down - The owners of the poodle were freaking out. The Mom was almost in tears, their kids were shrieking "Dad, the brown dog is BITING ours!" And the Dad would be sticking his legs between our dog and theirs, pulling him off.

Their Poodle was always coming back for more and never cowering away. It was the owners who had the problem with it. It all came to a head when he grabbed our dog and tried to hand him to us, we refused and let our dog play more.

They just picked up their dog and "protected" him for the rest of play time. We pointed out they were playing and nothing was wrong - the dogs need to learn!

How would you have handled this?

We also told them to ask the puppy class teacher for her opinion of the dogs' behavior and they refused to. Preferring to coddle their dog in favor of teaching it how to behave with other dogs.

Our pup is VERY well socialized. He sees/plays with up to 30/40 dogs a week between the dog park, 2 different puppy classes a week and puppy daycare. He can play with a Great Dane or a Yorkie with ease, never has he caused another dog to not want to play with him.

If this were the dog park, or out in public I would have removed my dog from the situation if the owners were uncomfortable.

But this was socialization class. We all paid $$ to have our dogs learn socialization skills. My stepping in here would have defeated the purpose, both for their dog and mine.

Answer 1

You did the right thing. I teach puppy classes and have had my fair share of over-protective parents. It is important for the instructor to explain to the class what is normal and what is not. If the Poodle's folks will not talk to the instructor (and why on earth wouldn't they? They believe that there dog is being bullied and they aren't going to speak out against the "bully?"), I recommend that you do. Explain what happened and let her know that you are just wanting to make sure that you are correct that your dog is appropriate. When the instructor sees the Poodle's folks react, she will talk to them if she is any good.

I, like most others, originally thought "where was the teacher?" But, speaking from experience, the trainer can't be everywhere at once. If I don't see an altercation, I certainly want to know about it so that I can make sure the dogs are behaving appropriately.

Finally, I always tell the people of the "victim" that if they are concerned about an interaction, the "bully" should be restrained. If the "victim" runs away, there was a problem. If he solicits play, everything is fine and they shouldn't worry.

Answer 2

I agree...this is just normal dog play. To the dogs, it is not "win" or "lose", it is just play. But ultimately, the owner must be accountable for the behavior of the pet. When I take my dog to the park in the evenings, he always wants to play with an immaculately well groomed maltese, but the owner has made it clear she does not want her dog "dirtied up" by playing with my crazy beagle so I respect her wishes and me and the crazy beagle go find something else to do. Now, you and I both know that's silly but she has rights and I have responsibilities. This may not be the answer you are looking for but when you saw how much distress this was causing the family, particularly the children, you should have removed your dog from the situation and asked the poodle owner to please keep their dog away as well because it was obviously upsetting his family. You can't teach common sense to everyone including this family, but you still have to make sure your dog is not offending anyone else particularly to the point of screaming and tears. Best of luck to you (and that fiesty little brown dog of yours lol).

Answer 3

Some people are freahkish when it comes to their dogs. They treat them like children and actually believe that dogs have 'friends', and should 'share' and act like polite little 6 year olds.

They are doing a dis-service to their animals. I can guarantee you that in the next few months that their poodle will become a holy terror. Will instigate fights with other dogs, will be destructive in their home and will put himself as the interim 'leader' of their household. Dogs will do this when they feel that no one else is stepping up and taking the lead. Often it creates a very skittish, psychotic, and overtaxed dog.

Don't cry for them, they get back what they put into it.

For you? Stay well away from them. You can pity them a bit....they do not understand the little monster they are creating.

Go and pick up Jan Fennell's book, "The dog Listener". She is a big obed. trainer from the UK. It's a great read, and will give you an idea of what little hellions people have developed by treating their dogs like kids. Learn from it, and you will never have to worry that your pup will be like that.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Stupid snobby poodle owners. Why own a dog if you don't know anything about them. You know you were right and that is all that matters. Maybe their precious poodle will be better at home and they won't come back. That is horrible. My puppies are meaner than that to each other and I don't stop them. My beagle bites at my pugs tail and tries to rip it off. So what does my pug do... rolls over and kicks her in the face. It is great. Like professional wrestling in you living room.

Just let them have their fit and if they don't like it they don't have to bring their dog. Didn't they see all the other dogs doing the same thing. Whatever, some people just need to take the corn cob out their..... nose.

Answer 5

You handled it right. That's what I would have done. As humans, we tend to be overprotective with our loved ones. We don't our furbabies to be hurt. But it does sound like they overreacted just a bit. You can almost always tell when a dog is being aggressive and to me it sounds like it was just play. Since the Poodle was coming back for more, I'd say it was having a very good time! Since these people are so overly protective and they probably don't like you or your dog anymore, I'd keep an eye on your dog and not let those two socialize or play anymore. Maybe you'll be lucky and they won't come to class anymore! There's one in every crowd!

Answer 6

Puppies know when enough is enough and will generally walk away. But if the other one is not finished he will be let known; "I am finished playing with you!" by showing it through "body language".
As for the owners picking up their dog to “protect” him. I think they have made a big mistake. They might do this all the time now, when they see any other dogs around. This will instill fear in the dog and go to mommy or daddy to be picked up. The dog will have no self confidence. Your dog sounds fine; just keep him away from Mr. Precious’ poodle.
Look for Cesar Millan © National Geographic Channel. Or any of his books. Great info there.

Answer 7

I would of handled it the same way. I have three dogs of varying sizes. My Lhasa uses my Sheltie's ear like a rawhide. The Lhasa also wrestles pretty rough with my Old English Sheepdog. That is just how they are. There is usually a distinct change in the vocals of your dogs when things go from playing to serious. The bark, growl, or general noise level will change. You also know if one actually gets hurt, cuz they usually let you know.

No one has a right to grab your dog... in the same way you wouldn't let someone put their hands on your child.

I have to wonder, was there an instructor or leader for the class? Maybe he should have stepped in.

All in all, you did nothing wrong and handled the whole situation well.

Answer 8

8 365 days previous akita /pit bull combination that had no socialization in any respect via their existence time, you will need an exceedingly complicated time changing her concepts. She has already bitten people, and been in 3 too many fights with different canines. in case you could no longer arise with the money for a coach, then you could use a pair of dollars and pass and purchase a sturdy muzzle. She could have been socialized ok as a youthful canines and on a similar time as she replaced into starting to be up. She is your duty to maintain her from hurting others and their canines. Muzzle her whilst ever you're taking her out everywhere. do no longer sell this canines, it particularly is no longer honest to everyone else that ought to come alongside and purchase her. She is plenty too nervous / aggressive in public and she or he's a extensive criminal duty. She should not be bought in any respect to everyone else.

Answer 9

It's exactly like you said - The dogs were doing nothing wrong and the owners were coddling their dog - Why even waste the money for the socialization class if they're not going to let the dog socialize?!

They're going to end up with Wussie of a poodle that's afraid of all other dogs.

Answer 10

we have this same problem at the dog park we go to. our puppy is a little hyper and she likes to wrestle, even with the bigger dogs. there is this one boxer that even picks on her to the point that she starts grabbing its cheeks or tail to make it stop.

but then there is this aussie shep (which is what our pup is as well). the other dog is about 1 month younger, maybe 2 at most, and at first our dog LOVED this dog, and it would chase it and be chased and tackle and they would jump on each other. but the dog comes with its mother and this girl, cant be more than 11 years old. every time our dog goes near it, she yells at her dog, then picks him up and carries him away. every time. my bf and i also talk about the owners under our breath, but one time i just couldnt take it, and i blurted out "what the hell is wrong with that kid? doesnt she know she's created an anti social dog? its playing. god that girl is such a b*tch" and my bf turned and whispered to me that the mom was about 10 feet away. needless to say they now dont even let their dog in the same area as ours, but that afternoon that i made the comment, some random woman walked up to me and asked me if she thought the behavior of the woman and child was odd and why were they treating their dog like that, and she didnt even know that the other pup involved was ours.

so unfortionitly there is nothing you can do. our pup makes there horrible growling noises, but she'll also yelp when another dog isnt even touching her. she just doesnt understand the noises. but people hear her growling and tackling other pups and they freak out, and they are always pushing her away or yelling at her and we constintly have to go "rescue" her. its sad. thankfully there are a lot of owners out there as well that know her now and see she's just a noisey pup and now think its just funny to watch her.