Post your Halloween socialization stories

billsharp · 11-01-2011, 12:47 PM

Last night was a good one for Liesl's socialization project. We sat outside with lots of neighbors and had dinner and drinks and entertained trick-or-treaters. She was too excited and wild about her friend Sam being there (a calm 9yo Lab) so we had to stake Liesl out a few feet away. She eventually calmed down enough to sit and watch with interest all the goings-on. I frequently gave her attention and petting, and fed her dinner while she watched us. Teenage girls in our group were able to pet her freely. Neighborhood men were able to pet her almost instantly (she had to retreat then approach and smell them first) and from then on she allowed them to hold her face, pet her, and she would "shake hands" with them on command.

At one point a small boy about 2 y.o. ran across the lawn up to her. She calmly stayed where she was tethered and just looked at him with focus. He ran past her head and hugged her body and began petting her. She accepted this calmly, and I praised her. Another milestone in her progress with kids.

We went for a walk on the most crowded streets in our 'hood, full of t-o-ters and even a news crew with remote van. There were lots of distractions, costumes, decorations hanging from trees, etc. She was calm and relaxed throughout, although a little skittish when several young girls waving flashlights crowded her and tried to hug her all at once.

Overall her behavior made me very proud, and she got lots of compliments. And I found out she loves swedish meatballs.

fuzzybunny · 11-01-2011, 12:53 PM

I brought my dogs to see a particular house in the neighbourhood that decorates like crazy every year. They have spooky lights, music, and life-size "monsters" in the front yard. They allow people to check everything out so I brought my dogs only to be asked to leave because the dogs could "spook" and bite someone. I left but we still had a great time checking out all the trick-or-treaters along the way and the dogs were a big hit!

RocketDog · 11-01-2011, 02:05 PM

Rocket wore his "Bad Dog" jail outfit. Yes, I kinda feel bad about dressing a GSD but he's not even quite 5 months, and it was FUNNY. :P

He did absolutely fabulous. Our old neighborhood has kids bused in--everyone decorates, plays music, has fog machines...TONS AND TONS of people and costumes. Even the adults dress up. He handled it all like it was old hat. Met costumed babies in strollers...adults, teens and small kids manhandled him and he wagged, licked and sat for all. I'm changing his costume to "GOOD DOG!"

11-01-2011, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
billsharp Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	Post your Halloween socialization stories Last night was a good one for Liesl's socialization project. We sat outside with lots of neighbors and had dinner and drinks and entertained trick-or-treaters. She was too excited and wild about her friend Sam being there (a calm 9yo Lab) so we had to stake Liesl out a few feet away. She eventually calmed down enough to sit and watch with interest all the goings-on. I frequently gave her attention and petting, and fed her dinner while she watched us. Teenage girls in our group were able to pet her freely. Neighborhood men were able to pet her almost instantly (she had to retreat then approach and smell them first) and from then on she allowed them to hold her face, pet her, and she would "shake hands" with them on command. At one point a small boy about 2 y.o. ran across the lawn up to her. She calmly stayed where she was tethered and just looked at him with focus. He ran past her head and hugged her body and began petting her. She accepted this calmly, and I praised her. Another milestone in her progress with kids. We went for a walk on the most crowded streets in our 'hood, full of t-o-ters and even a news crew with remote van. There were lots of distractions, costumes, decorations hanging from trees, etc. She was calm and relaxed throughout, although a little skittish when several young girls waving flashlights crowded her and tried to hug her all at once. Overall her behavior made me very proud, and she got lots of compliments. And I found out she loves swedish meatballs. __________________ Liesl, b. 1/1/11 Maxie, 1994-2009 King, 1963-1968

11-01-2011, 12:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
fuzzybunny Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,822	I brought my dogs to see a particular house in the neighbourhood that decorates like crazy every year. They have spooky lights, music, and life-size "monsters" in the front yard. They allow people to check everything out so I brought my dogs only to be asked to leave because the dogs could "spook" and bite someone. I left but we still had a great time checking out all the trick-or-treaters along the way and the dogs were a big hit! __________________ Carolyn Jazz, Shiloh Shepherd, 2.5 years old, CGC HIC Bunny, GSD X, 5.5 years old

11-01-2011, 02:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,267	Rocket wore his "Bad Dog" jail outfit. Yes, I kinda feel bad about dressing a GSD but he's not even quite 5 months, and it was FUNNY. :P He did absolutely fabulous. Our old neighborhood has kids bused in--everyone decorates, plays music, has fog machines...TONS AND TONS of people and costumes. Even the adults dress up. He handled it all like it was old hat. Met costumed babies in strollers...adults, teens and small kids manhandled him and he wagged, licked and sat for all. I'm changing his costume to "GOOD DOG!"

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