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FirstYorkie · 04-02-2006, 04:13 AM

No, it's not bad that you got him at 9 weeks. Most people in the US are currently recommending that pups stay with their Moms until 10 or 12 weeks. In the UK, many advocate adoption at 8 weeks. There are no hard and fast rules.

The fact that you got him early does increase the importance of early socialization with other dogs.

You really do want Badger to overcome his fear of other dogs because it will make for a happier life for him. Going to the vet, groomer, obedience classes, etc etc are all going to be infinitely more worrisome for him if he is afraid of other dogs.

Introducing him to other dogs, though, will need to be done carefully and slowly. You want to be very sure that nothing happens to make him more afraid! Talk to your trainer. If your pup doesn't learn any lessons whatsoever but does learn to be in the room with other dogs without cowering, then it's time and money well spent. The trainer should be willing to help you with this.

Basically, you want to reward (praise and treat) any brave behavior on your dog's part. At first, that may mean rewarding for coming only an inch out from behind your legs. What you don't want to do is reward cowering.

Our training handles puppy interactions different from most. I didn't like it at first, but now I think she's right. Dogs are allowed to greet each other nose-to-nose for a count of three. One two three. That's it. Move on and greet someone else. If a dog is cowering or otherwise demonstrating that he doesn't want to be greeted, he should not be approached by others.

Does that help any?

04-02-2006, 04:13 AM	#5
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	No, it's not bad that you got him at 9 weeks. Most people in the US are currently recommending that pups stay with their Moms until 10 or 12 weeks. In the UK, many advocate adoption at 8 weeks. There are no hard and fast rules. The fact that you got him early does increase the importance of early socialization with other dogs. You really do want Badger to overcome his fear of other dogs because it will make for a happier life for him. Going to the vet, groomer, obedience classes, etc etc are all going to be infinitely more worrisome for him if he is afraid of other dogs. Introducing him to other dogs, though, will need to be done carefully and slowly. You want to be very sure that nothing happens to make him more afraid! Talk to your trainer. If your pup doesn't learn any lessons whatsoever but does learn to be in the room with other dogs without cowering, then it's time and money well spent. The trainer should be willing to help you with this. Basically, you want to reward (praise and treat) any brave behavior on your dog's part. At first, that may mean rewarding for coming only an inch out from behind your legs. What you don't want to do is reward cowering. Our training handles puppy interactions different from most. I didn't like it at first, but now I think she's right. Dogs are allowed to greet each other nose-to-nose for a count of three. One two three. That's it. Move on and greet someone else. If a dog is cowering or otherwise demonstrating that he doesn't want to be greeted, he should not be approached by others. Does that help any? __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!