Puppy/Young Dog Socialization

[Grizzle]

Anyone have suggestions for helping my pup get socialized with other dogs?  He's timid with other new dogs, he's 8mo old.

I was hoping to drop him off at doggie daycare for a few hours every so often, but they won't take him because he isn't neutered (waiting till 1.5yr) 

I a few buddies with dogs...but everyone is so busy in life. 

[BULLBLASTER]

where are you located?

[Grizzle]

Issaquah

[Happy Gilmore]

The leash free dog park at Merrimore Park would be a good place to get socialization. Only about 15minutes from your house.

[PacificNWhunter]

I'll second Happy, take him to the dog park. Especially if there is enough room for him there to run around and not feel cornered..There will be allot of dogs though that don't have good manners so just be sure to watch him. From the first day I had my pup until he was a year or so old I took him everywhere I could, in the truck to the store, park, soccer games etc. Just get him out there, and he'll do fine.

[jackelope]

my dog spent pretty much a day every weekend or so at marymoore dog park for the fist few years of his life. he's very good with other dogs...nothing better for socializing with other dogs, getting muddy, getting peed on by other dogs, swimming in the samammish slough, meeting women, etc.
it's a fun place. gets real crowded on the weekends.

[Grizzle]

thanks for the advice.  the guys I was doing training with cautioned that dog parks can be whack    they said a bunch of adult dogs that play together often can gang up on a pup. 

better than being isolated though..maybe weekdays and just go for it.

[jackelope]

i never had a problem there...it's just like anything else though. if there's a bunch of big dogs playing hard...stay away from them. i would say you will likely throw any chance of training out the window when you get there though.

[Grizzle]

Bit at the dog park.  Big old fat shepard mix, comes over all friendly, polite sniff, then bares his teeth and bites my pup.  Pup is bawling, dog owner grabs his dog, no apologies, just leaves with dog in tow.  9 mo is an awkward age....loosing his puppy pass with other dogs, now getting put in his place. 

[luvtohnt]

Bit at the dog park.  Big old fat shepard mix, comes over all friendly, polite sniff, then bares his teeth and bites my pup.  Pup is bawling, dog owner grabs his dog, no apologies, just leaves with dog in tow.  9 mo is an awkward age....loosing his puppy pass with other dogs, now getting put in his place. 

That is bad news, most likly your dog will remember that incident and it is going to be harder to socilize.

Brandon

[Happy Gilmore]

I can't imagine a pup being scared for life because one old grouchy dog nipped at him. This is part of socialization. Your other option would be to never expose the pup to grouchy dogs and when pup grows up, a dog nips him and he doesn't know how to react properly and it turns into a full blown fight.....

As long as pup wasn't injured, it is good socialization to be around all sorts of dogs, happy ones, grouchy ones, old ones young ones...