Playing with other puppies Yesterday, I took Yumi to a semi-playdate with a yorkie-poo named Sasha that belongs to a girlfriend of mine. Now mind you when I walk her on a leash and she meets other dogs she is all excited about jumping in their face,running around like a mad girl. But yesterday Sasha reacted right back. Now Sasha is 7lbs and 5 months and Yumi is 3lbs and 5 months old. At first Yumi ran around with her, but Sasha was a little faster and was I think too much in her face, because she started cowering(?) away into a corner and I had to rescue her. She was shaking like a leaf...a little scared I think. But later on...she got excited again and wanted to get off my lap and go back and face Sasha. But the same thing happened again. Now mind you..Sasha was not aggressive or nasty...just very excited and playful. My coworker who is a doggie sitter suggested I have another playdate with Sasha and see what happens. I want to involve Yumi more with other dogs, even doggie camp, but I don't want her to be the little one who is intimidated by other dogs or become permanently afraid to be around other animals. What steps should I take to get her comfortable and acclimated? Was Sasha too large for her to be around? Yumi is very playful and I know she wants to play...but what to do...what to do :confused: |
For now try finding Yumi friends more her size,you never know Yumi may end up being bigger than Sasha. I am assuming Sasha hasn't had much training yet since she is still a puppy, and has all that crazy puppy energy. Do you play games of chase at home? Play with tug toys? Sounds like Yumi needs a little more confidence. |
Give her more time, Phoebe at first was a little afraid but not anymore she loves playdates and going to the park to meet new dogs:animal36 |
More playdates it's a great idea: Koda has a few friends that at the beggining was a bit scary for her, After a while she was used to all of them, my friend has a maltesse, the other one had a lav and we even play with a cat...So I guess it's adjustments:thumbup: |
I'd keep up the play dates, so she can get over her fright. |
Thanks for your insights! We do play at home with tugging games and sometimes chase. She is very confident with me. Actually, we were out Saturday and came in contact with a yorkie and a yorkie/lasa apso(?) mix, and at first she was shying away because they were overly excited...then she got comfortable and ended up ignoring them after a while...lol. But when the male started showing her too much attention, then the female got a little agressive so I removed her from that situation. I mean...hey...she can't help it if she is adorable. The little male had good taste...:p We will keep plugging away...I think she will be fine in the end. It's good to know that this is normal starting out. Thanks again, YT'ers :animal36 |
Keep taking her out and socializing, so she can get used to being around other dogs in general. Otherwise she can develop only child sheltered syndrome and cringe and shy away when she sees another pup. For now keep the play dates with dogs her size so she doesn't get picked on too terribly. When Chip first started living with me he was terrified of large dogs, now over time and socialization his best bud is a Lab/shepard mix. Who would of thunk it? |
This might sound kind of counter-intuitive, but you might want to even have some playdates with big dogs that are older than her and good-natured. My yorkie pup plays pretty often with my coworker's two huskies. They are adults, gentle, and very tolerant of her puppy antics; when they are irritated by her they will gently pin her with a paw as if to say "that's enough!" I view playing with them to be the best of many worlds-- she's having positive interaction with other dogs, is being taught how to be polite in dog language, and has learned that she can be friends with big dogs rather than get nervous around them. Plus since they are well-trained, calm adults rather than rambunctious pups, I don't have to worry so much about her getting hurt. |
It took Chip a few months to really accept large dogs. With Jake (lab/shepard) we could visit him through the fence everyday on our walk, Chip is so excited to see him that he runs down the driveway when we get in front of his house. On the occassions Chip is allowed to play with Jake, it starts off really well at first, sniffing, kisses, chasing, licking, etc.. We all know Jake would never cause harm to Chip but he does get a little rough. Since Jake is significantly bigger than Chip, its easy for Jake to just roll him around using his muzzle, putting his mouth around Chip's body, and pushing him with his paw. At this point Chip gets snarly, nips on Jake's jowels, and takes cover behind or under me. Then we realize the play date is over for Chip, and its time to go. We still see Jake at the fence everyday , and from time to time let them play together when Jake is not full of pent up energy. |
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