Socializing Joey with a male Rotti Puppy
 

Our neighbours got a rotti puppy a few weeks ago. I have been trying to socialize Joey with him - hoping that maybe they may be tolerant of each other when the rotti gets big - he is already same size as Joey. They met for the third time today. Joey is tolerant of the puppy and seems curious but if the puppy jumps on him Joey will growl a bit. I keep him on lose leash the owner of the puppy pulls him back when he sees Joey growling. When Joey growls I tell him no then let him sniff again when hes not growling I tell him good boy in a super happy voice and just reassure him.

Do you think its possible for Joey a dog that so far has not gotten used to any large male dogs to get used to this dog if I constantly socialize him with the other dog. At least it is probably good for the rotti to get to know Joey. :D

please don't correct Joey for growling - he's trying to teach the puppy manners, and that's a GOOD thing. Puppies don't need to be jumping on adult dog's heads. ( [url]http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html[/url] )

What you describe sounds like perfectly normal interaction between an adult dog and a puppy. Let them set their own limits.

Oh ok :o Joey just growls at most dogs puppy or not, unless he has had a chance to get to know them - just trying to get him more socialized thats all. :)

thanks for link - can't read the whole thing right now and does make sense totally - the owner of the rotti is a new dog owner too - so its reaction ok I will just keep my dog away - I will let him know this is just normal puppy behavior.

I agree. When puppies jump up on adults it's bad manners but can be a dominance thing, too and puppies shouldn't be dominating their superiors... ;) I would correct the little one for bugging Joey more than the other way around.

Thanks everyone I will try to approach it differently next time. :)

If I dont reply to this thread for a while its cause I am off to Vancouver to do training for four weeks and wont be around until next weekend. Thanks again


...I will miss all my pals on pets.ca :( :D

Good luck!:)