[alaskayorkie]

When we talk about "socializing" our dogs, it doesn't mean they all have to run and play the same way. All it means is they learn how to handle themselves in a group environment.

I have a little-dog meetup group that meets twice a week for an hour at a fenced ballpark, sort of our own, private dog park.

What I've noticed over the last several years is that some dogs like to romp and play -- and other dogs don't. But they all learn to enjoy the experience in their own way.

The dogs that don't like to romp and run have ways to let the others know that they don't want to roughhouse, and the roughhousers respect it.

Mine have been going to meetups all their lives, and they've actually mellowed out. They used to be the roughhousers, and now they just visit with the people and dogs they want to.

But do keep an eye on her, especially while she's still learning what signals to send the other dogs. I try to let mine work things out, but if there's a pushy dog that is not getting the message, I step in. It shows my dogs I have their backs and they don't have to fight to get their message across.