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Peryn · 10-23-2003, 10:49 AM

I agree with the early socialization thing. I think that is FAR more important than not being rough with him. MY dog is 100lbs, give or take 5 lbs, depending... chocolate lab. Generally a gentle dog to begin with. Since we had him, 6-8 weeks old, he was constantly getting practice learning proper social behavior. The breeder allowed us over to look at him occasionally, since he was about 4 weeks old. Other people would come by and look at their dogs. She would talk to the people about the dogs behavior while they were visiting, and tell them what the dogs should and shouldn't be allowed to do. As a pup my dog was introduced to new people almost daily. By 10 weeks he associated with 2 or 3 other dogs on a semi-regular basis. As he got a little older he went to the dog park on a regular basis. This got him used to associating with bigger animals. Animals that would put him in his place if he got out of hand. My grandmother dog is a airdale. Beautiful, fun dog. Comes from a long line of freindly house dogs, a few hunting dogs even. He is as gentle as can be....if you know him. He never met more than a few close relatives. He stayed at his house his whole life. About a year ago he was outside, tied to teh car. He saw someone, pulled, ripped the leash, and bit the guy. Never played tug of way with him, or wrestled with him...he is very gentle with his toys. But if you dont know him, and he doesn't know you, he is downright aggressive.

I tug a lot with my dog. I can sit in the chair, he will pull my around by some of his toys. I wrestle with him. We play VERY hard. He plays hard with other dogs. Luckly, he is very durable, and has fun with it. But since he was a pup, i would even let him bite me. To an extent. Then i would tell him gentle, and remove his mouth. Didn't take too long and he knew how hard he was allowed to bit when we were playing. If he gets out of hand, i can tell him to be gentle and he will back off. If he gets rough with another dog, all it takes is the right kind of bark, or a little growl or yip, and he is off of them. He stays off until they initiate play again.

As for new people, he has just started growling at people outside our house as they walk by. This behavior is not acceptable, and he is learning, but i am not very strict about it. His tail is wagging the whole time hes growling, and i know for a fact all he will do is come up and lick them and have them sctrach his butt. But the growling is nice from a protective standpoint, but i dont want guests to feel threatened.

I guess i got off point, the i personally believe the key is in solid, consistant socialization training. Get him used to meeting new people, not the same people over and over again. Take him for walks, and bring a squirt bottle to punish unacceptable behavior. Teach him from a young age how to behave around people he doesn't know. Take him to a dog park, have him meet and greet and play with other dogs. He needs to know how to play, and have an older dog put him in his place occasionaly. I believe you should play somewhat rough with him, and make him know his limits. Enforce very strictly how rough he can get. If you find you cannot control him, stop the behavior. Dont wrestle, dont tug, dont let him destroy his toys. I just think that how his plays with his toys is a very minor part of his disposition, with his socialization skills being THE single largest, if not the only, determining factor in how aggressive he is toward others.

10-23-2003, 10:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	I agree with the early socialization thing. I think that is FAR more important than not being rough with him. MY dog is 100lbs, give or take 5 lbs, depending... chocolate lab. Generally a gentle dog to begin with. Since we had him, 6-8 weeks old, he was constantly getting practice learning proper social behavior. The breeder allowed us over to look at him occasionally, since he was about 4 weeks old. Other people would come by and look at their dogs. She would talk to the people about the dogs behavior while they were visiting, and tell them what the dogs should and shouldn't be allowed to do. As a pup my dog was introduced to new people almost daily. By 10 weeks he associated with 2 or 3 other dogs on a semi-regular basis. As he got a little older he went to the dog park on a regular basis. This got him used to associating with bigger animals. Animals that would put him in his place if he got out of hand. My grandmother dog is a airdale. Beautiful, fun dog. Comes from a long line of freindly house dogs, a few hunting dogs even. He is as gentle as can be....if you know him. He never met more than a few close relatives. He stayed at his house his whole life. About a year ago he was outside, tied to teh car. He saw someone, pulled, ripped the leash, and bit the guy. Never played tug of way with him, or wrestled with him...he is very gentle with his toys. But if you dont know him, and he doesn't know you, he is downright aggressive. I tug a lot with my dog. I can sit in the chair, he will pull my around by some of his toys. I wrestle with him. We play VERY hard. He plays hard with other dogs. Luckly, he is very durable, and has fun with it. But since he was a pup, i would even let him bite me. To an extent. Then i would tell him gentle, and remove his mouth. Didn't take too long and he knew how hard he was allowed to bit when we were playing. If he gets out of hand, i can tell him to be gentle and he will back off. If he gets rough with another dog, all it takes is the right kind of bark, or a little growl or yip, and he is off of them. He stays off until they initiate play again. As for new people, he has just started growling at people outside our house as they walk by. This behavior is not acceptable, and he is learning, but i am not very strict about it. His tail is wagging the whole time hes growling, and i know for a fact all he will do is come up and lick them and have them sctrach his butt. But the growling is nice from a protective standpoint, but i dont want guests to feel threatened. I guess i got off point, the i personally believe the key is in solid, consistant socialization training. Get him used to meeting new people, not the same people over and over again. Take him for walks, and bring a squirt bottle to punish unacceptable behavior. Teach him from a young age how to behave around people he doesn't know. Take him to a dog park, have him meet and greet and play with other dogs. He needs to know how to play, and have an older dog put him in his place occasionaly. I believe you should play somewhat rough with him, and make him know his limits. Enforce very strictly how rough he can get. If you find you cannot control him, stop the behavior. Dont wrestle, dont tug, dont let him destroy his toys. I just think that how his plays with his toys is a very minor part of his disposition, with his socialization skills being THE single largest, if not the only, determining factor in how aggressive he is toward others. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.