Is it possible to oversocialize your GSD?

[Stella's Mom]

I had the chance to buy my dog's sister a few weeks ago. My dog and her sister are both 6.5 months old.
The owners of Pebbles kept her in the yard a lot and decided they did not want to keep her.

I told the breeder that my husband is against having a 2nd dog, but I would be happy to take Pebbles to the park so that she could play with her sister Stella.

Pebbles would not venture from my side while off leash at the park, came immediately when called, and would pace around me to protect me from other dogs.

In the meantime, my dog goes off to play with every dog in the park and does not really care what dog comes up to me to get pet or what people are around me.

I was wondering if I have made a mistake by constantly putting Stella in a social situation. She is extremely dog friendly and she is nice with humans too. She has a great disposition, but I would like if she at least barked when someone knocks on the door.

Any suggestions as to how to have her become more aware of me while at the park? She comes over to sit by me when she is tired as if to say, I am ready to go home, but other than that she is Little Miss Social Butterfly.

[elisabeth_00117]

This is not about being social or having too much socialization (don't think you can over socialize!), this is a training issue.

You need to work on recall with your pup.

Fun recall games are ideal for puppies.

Do a search for "recall games" on the forum, a tone of things will come up!

[I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO]

At 6.5 months old, the girls are babies. What you see Pebbles doing is likely not protecting you from the other dogs, she's probably scared and using you for protection. Don't worry about your girl not barking, it's good that she's not at this age. When she gets older and since you are teaching her what normal behavior is by socializing, when something is out of the ordinary, she will bark.

[Stella's Mom]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

This is not about being social or having too much socialization (don't think you can over socialize!), this is a training issue.

You need to work on recall with your pup.

Fun recall games are ideal for puppies.

Do a search for "recall games" on the forum, a tone of things will come up!

Thanks...will do. She is great at recall at home and in obedience classes, it is just more difficult in a dog park to get her to come.

[PaddyD]

6.5 months is a little young to expect protection. Stella is acting like a normal happy puppy. Pebbles is probably not hanging around you to protect you, she is shy and staying close out of fear. That may be her personality. All pups in a litter don't necessarily have the same temperament just as all kids in a family don't.
As Elizabeth says, both dogs need training. And that training will probably be different based on the individual needs of each.

[gsdraven]

No, you didn't make a mistake. Your dog should be social at 6.5 months old. Depending on your preference, she could be social her whole life when appropriate. I agree with Elisabeth though, this is a training issue. You need to work on engagement and recall with your dog.

Also, Pebbles was not protecting you. If she was chasing other dogs away, she was likely guarding you. Too young and no bond to be protecting you.

[Stella's Mom]

Originally Posted by I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO

At 6.5 months old, the girls are babies. What you see Pebbles doing is likely not protecting you from the other dogs, she's probably scared and using you for protection. Don't worry about your girl not barking, it's good that she's not at this age. When she gets older and since you are teaching her what normal behavior is by socializing, when something is out of the ordinary, she will bark.

I hope she will react like that if something out of the ordinary does happen.
She is a very confident dog, not fearful at all. Even if there are fireworks, or severe thunder and lightening going on and she is oblivious to it.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

This is not about being social or having too much socialization (don't think you can over socialize!), this is a training issue.

^ This! As far as your question of whether or not it's possible to oversocialize your puppy, my answer would be that as long as the exposure your puppy is having to new people/places/things is fun, positive, and rewarding, then no. But extensive socialization is not the same as having her totally ignore you in favor of the environment when you're out in public.

[Stella's Mom]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

No, you didn't make a mistake. Your dog should be social at 6.5 months old. Depending on your preference, she could be social her whole life when appropriate. I agree with Elisabeth though, this is a training issue. You need to work on engagement and recall with your dog.

Also, Pebbles was not protecting you. If she was chasing other dogs away, she was likely guarding you. Too young and no bond to be protecting you.

I just started agility classes with her and will move into obedience level 3, hopefully this will help with the engagement process.

[Stella's Mom]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

^ This! As far as your question of whether or not it's possible to oversocialize your puppy, my answer would be that as long as the exposure your puppy is having to new people/places/things is fun, positive, and rewarding, then no. But extensive socialization is not the same as having her totally ignore you in favor of the environment when you're out in public.

Right, that is the part that bothers me. She does seem to not engage with me at the park like she does when my husband takes her. She will play with him and will not play with me the same way even though I am the only one that does training with her.