I may not be wise with age and experience, but I have trained several dogs, and helped others train their dogs. I grew up at dog clubs and shows and feel like I know dog behavior and body language well enough to know what is being communicated.
I have worked with Polo and have observed him around other dogs of all sizes and ages and not once has he ever shown his teeth, nipped or growled at another dog. He will step out of the way or leave a dog alone if they don't want his company. To me, that speaks enough about his socialization. He's not wild and knows his limits. Off to a good start, now at 8 months.
The other day I was at a friend's house with Polo and my bf. It was dark and we were on the front porch, which was crowded. I kept Polo on a leash near my feet, and he was calm.
Then a neighbor showed up with his 7 mnth German Shepherd. I know the guy, and this is his first dog. I recommended he NOT get a GSD for his first, and if he did he should seek the help of an experienced dog trainer.
But no one listens to me LOL
The first thing the puppy did was snatch a chicken wing out of my bf's hand. The owner did nothing. Then the puppy (a female) tried to play with Polo.
Now, I'm all for letting dogs work things out, but there was no space and it was dark, so I began to keep a very close eye on Polo to see how he was reacting so I could gauge his comfort level with the other dog.
THen the shepherd started to push him with her head, which was nearly as big as Polo, and push and push. Polo backed into my legs, but having no further to go, he showed his teeth. That wasn't enough so he snapped the air in front of his face, trying to make it clear that he didn't like this dog's proximity to him. I really didn't want to pick Polo up and "coddle him" because he needs the experience of defending himself, but at the same time this dog was so much bigger that I didn't want her to snap back and really hurt little Polo.
I got so mad at the owner for not paying attention to his dog. Then my other friend (the host) said I was overreacting. I could tell my bf was getting on edge when I explained that Polo was showing his teeth. Bf knows that is the first time ever.
I guess my point for this lengthy post is just to vent about how disgusted I get when people get dogs without knowing things like pitch and body language.
For instance, once Polo started snapping, the other puppy responded with that high-pitched "HEY!!" barking they do when they aren't getting ahead but haven't given up. I don't know how to explain it, but I could tell by her pitch that the situation was going downhill.
Needless to say we left and won't be back with Polo, or at all. They aren't very good friends, and I couldn't believe everyone turned on me, when it was clearly the other dog owner's problem. The host had the nerve to tell me "oh, they are just trying to play" WRONG!
And I thought there was a small chance I was wrong, but as we were leaving the puppy chased us down and kept nipping at Polo.
Why don't people realize what they are getting into when they pick a breed?
This isn't the first time something like this has happened at that house.
Another time, before I got Polo, I was sitting at their table and one friend had brought a Doberman that was so skinny you could count his ribs and see his sharp hips. It was pretty horrible, and apparently others have said some things to the owner, who is oblivious.
The Doberman was in my face the whole time (maybe because he was an intact male and I was the only female there), he kept bumping me with his nose. Not a "pet me" bump or an "i need to potty" bump but a "hey hey hey" kind of bump.
That behavior says to me that the dog has no structure or sense of boundary, which means poor socialization.
I just can't stand it when people get these high energy breeds that need serious structure. It makes me mad for the dog because those dogs may bite someone, then have to be put down.
Likewise, this shows me how great my dog is, how calm he is in most situations like crowded events, other dogs, etc. He ASKS to kiss you or put his paws on you. He is such a gentle creature, that I wish some of my friends would pay attention and ask me, GOD just ask me why is he so good??
Because I pay attention. I watch his moves, listen to his voice and pay attention to his face. If I see behavior I don't like, I tell him no, and he listens.
Is it just poodles? I know there are other well behaved dogs out there.. i just haven't seen any in such a long time.
PS: please tell me if you think I am overreacting, or if you have suggestions for next time something like that happens.
I have worked with Polo and have observed him around other dogs of all sizes and ages and not once has he ever shown his teeth, nipped or growled at another dog. He will step out of the way or leave a dog alone if they don't want his company. To me, that speaks enough about his socialization. He's not wild and knows his limits. Off to a good start, now at 8 months.
The other day I was at a friend's house with Polo and my bf. It was dark and we were on the front porch, which was crowded. I kept Polo on a leash near my feet, and he was calm.
Then a neighbor showed up with his 7 mnth German Shepherd. I know the guy, and this is his first dog. I recommended he NOT get a GSD for his first, and if he did he should seek the help of an experienced dog trainer.
But no one listens to me LOL
The first thing the puppy did was snatch a chicken wing out of my bf's hand. The owner did nothing. Then the puppy (a female) tried to play with Polo.
Now, I'm all for letting dogs work things out, but there was no space and it was dark, so I began to keep a very close eye on Polo to see how he was reacting so I could gauge his comfort level with the other dog.
THen the shepherd started to push him with her head, which was nearly as big as Polo, and push and push. Polo backed into my legs, but having no further to go, he showed his teeth. That wasn't enough so he snapped the air in front of his face, trying to make it clear that he didn't like this dog's proximity to him. I really didn't want to pick Polo up and "coddle him" because he needs the experience of defending himself, but at the same time this dog was so much bigger that I didn't want her to snap back and really hurt little Polo.
I got so mad at the owner for not paying attention to his dog. Then my other friend (the host) said I was overreacting. I could tell my bf was getting on edge when I explained that Polo was showing his teeth. Bf knows that is the first time ever.
I guess my point for this lengthy post is just to vent about how disgusted I get when people get dogs without knowing things like pitch and body language.
For instance, once Polo started snapping, the other puppy responded with that high-pitched "HEY!!" barking they do when they aren't getting ahead but haven't given up. I don't know how to explain it, but I could tell by her pitch that the situation was going downhill.
Needless to say we left and won't be back with Polo, or at all. They aren't very good friends, and I couldn't believe everyone turned on me, when it was clearly the other dog owner's problem. The host had the nerve to tell me "oh, they are just trying to play" WRONG!
And I thought there was a small chance I was wrong, but as we were leaving the puppy chased us down and kept nipping at Polo.
Why don't people realize what they are getting into when they pick a breed?
This isn't the first time something like this has happened at that house.
Another time, before I got Polo, I was sitting at their table and one friend had brought a Doberman that was so skinny you could count his ribs and see his sharp hips. It was pretty horrible, and apparently others have said some things to the owner, who is oblivious.
The Doberman was in my face the whole time (maybe because he was an intact male and I was the only female there), he kept bumping me with his nose. Not a "pet me" bump or an "i need to potty" bump but a "hey hey hey" kind of bump.
That behavior says to me that the dog has no structure or sense of boundary, which means poor socialization.
I just can't stand it when people get these high energy breeds that need serious structure. It makes me mad for the dog because those dogs may bite someone, then have to be put down.
Likewise, this shows me how great my dog is, how calm he is in most situations like crowded events, other dogs, etc. He ASKS to kiss you or put his paws on you. He is such a gentle creature, that I wish some of my friends would pay attention and ask me, GOD just ask me why is he so good??
Because I pay attention. I watch his moves, listen to his voice and pay attention to his face. If I see behavior I don't like, I tell him no, and he listens.
Is it just poodles? I know there are other well behaved dogs out there.. i just haven't seen any in such a long time.
PS: please tell me if you think I am overreacting, or if you have suggestions for next time something like that happens.