What would you do?
 

Teddy likes to play with other dogs but he is scared and part of the problem (a big problem, I think) is that he's tethered to a leash when he meets other dogs who are free. Therefore, he's immediately in a defensive position which, when coupled with anxiety, makes for a very unsure and loud Teddy.


I don't have any friends with dogs and so this park is the only place I can take him to meet other dogs but these other dogs are HUGE. For example, he met with an English cocker spaniel today and two black labs who could easily step on him or bite him. Teddy is very good at turning a playful dog into a defensive, snappy dog because he can't read the signals of these dogs very well since he has been raised with a cat!


Lots of people try to be helpful by telling me that he should run free so he can socialize but I have done this before only to find him running into the field toward traffic. I know that he needs time with dogs but I feel like I'd rather have him anxious than dead cuz he ran out into traffic or he was bitten or smashed by a bigger dog because he wasn't leashed and so couldn't be removed from the situation in time.


Am I doing right by this boy?


Thanks..

I personally think you're doing right by him.

Where I live we have fenced dog parks, you can let them run free because they cannot get out of that area. I have not taken Cody to one but I have seen many of them. Can you find a fenced in dog park? If there was no fence I would NEVER let my dog off his leash, also I don't like the idea of small dogs with bigger dogs. Cody is not a light weight, he's a 12 pounder, but I would still not let him romp with larger dogs, he could still get hurt. IMO you are doing the right thing.

You might see if there is a group of small dog owners that meet on occasion. I don't know if you have something like Meetups.com but if not, maybe ask your vet if they know others that have small dogs who might like to have play dates.

Zoey is only 2 1/2 pounds so I would never let her run free with other dogs.... I usually keep her very close to me if other dogs are around. She is just too small ! And I would never let any dog of mine loose in an open area (no matter what he/she weighs) just to make friends.

My thoughts exactly about my boys. I think you are doing the right thing for Teddy.

I know this is not a popular opinion, but I do not believe that it is absolutely necessary for a dog to be social with other dogs. Our previous dog, an Airedale, was never social. Nor were any of our neighbors' dogs. Everyone walked their dogs and no one ever engaged. A different time, I suppose. Fewer dogs? I do not remember any dog parks either.

I think the conventional wisdom now is that dogs must be socialized otherwise they don't know how to behave when in close proximity to one another.

I like the idea of seeking out other small dog families for meetups. Something I would like to do.

Want to add . . . reading other YT members' posts, members from across the pond, I get the impression that there is even more pressure there to let dogs off leash in unenclosed parks.

Dog trainers often write that it is challenging to have a leashed dog meet an off-leashed dog. Definitely a disadvantage.

Another thought: I was talking to AlaskaYorkie Mike once about how envious I am that his little Yorkies Eddie and Jillie have a big meetup group that often includes all kinds of dogs of all sizes. He pointed out that he is fortunate to have a group of humans who are really engaged, stay on top of what is going on.

Often at dog parks, you are stuck with strangers who either tune out or have very different ideas about what is acceptable/safe. Doesn't always work as well.

Mike also has the benefit of having two doggies who are great off leash even in unenclosed areas.

I know my dogs' limits. They would probably stay with me 95% of the time, but all it would take is one UPS truck or motorcycle and they would be off like a shot! :D

I
 

First I do believe it is good for dogs to socialize together - but I would and do do this in controlled environments. All dogs in my opinion should be obedience trained and go to obedience classes and there in is your first time to socialize them in a controlled environment.


Now you know I have big dogs *except* my Yorkie - and when as I deliberately do with young dogs visit my fellow BRT owners the meetings are really well controlled. The older adult dog is carefully selected to meet with the young pup and it is mostly done off lead in a fenced in area. Although both owners are very very present just in case.


Sometimes we do it on lead - in an obedience format. Which is very good. Then we let the two off lead....


I do not anymore take RAzzle to leash free parks as it is too risky as Razzle is a brat and does not know to not bedevil the large dogs. But he runs back to our BRTs and expects them to handle the situation he has got himself into.....


So in summary I think youshould look at obedience classes.

Thanks all for sharing your tips, feelings and experiences! It really does mean a lot to me because I do not know anyone who owns a small dog, much less, one of the smallest breeds. As some of you may be aware, Teddy has horrible anxiety and I had a bad experience with a 'trainer' and his advice which was generic and unsuccessful and this has led me to mistrust trainers since, apart from him, I have employed various 'professional techniques' which have been unsuccessful at best and damaging in some cases. I think I will check to see if there are any local 'dog groups' in my area which cater specifically to smaller dogs and may even entertain obedience training if it is small dog specific... It is worth another try. Until then, I guess I can only do what I am doing which is trying to minimize anxiety and physical harm during social engagements.

:) Misty...I realise this is a really old-fashioned idea...but how about if you place a card on the board of your vet's office - or in the window of your local post-office - enquiring if there are other like-minded people with little dogs who might like to get together for a meet-up?

You've GOT to move South, Misty - I'm sure Teddy + Harry would have a wonderful time together...:D xx

That's an awesome idea, thanks! The vet idea is good, too! ;)


I know there are some people around with tiny chi's so maybe there are some hidden Yorkies out there just dying to release their crazy with Teddy...lol


Thanks! xox