Would you feel comfortable letting your dog around a pit bull?

[Mrs.K]

Originally Posted by MountainGSDs

I agree.... it is really a human thing.

Yes... I think it's the "surrogate" child effect. Just like Kids have to have play dates, people think doggies have to have them too.

[chicagojosh]

here they are after an hour of madness

[Stevenzachsmom]

Originally Posted by misterW

I don't know if I'd go that far. Dogs, like most primates, are very social animals, and I'd think anyone would be hard pressed to deny that they enjoy playing with other dogs. Sure, they can be happy just living with humans, but they clearly don't play and interact with humans in the same way.

It also happens that (a) I enjoy watching dogs chase each other around, (b) it gives me an opportunity to practice commands with her while there are distractions, (c) it gives her some good exercise without me walking her, and (d) it's not all that much of an inconvenience. So, it works for me, anyway.

Not all dogs. My dog loves humans. Hates dogs. Always has. She just turned 14 and has lived a wonderful long life without playing with other dogs. In her old age, she has made one doggie friend, who lives in the yard behind us. Oddly, her friend happens to be a pit bull mix. And a female at that. Go figure.

[Frankly I'm Frank]

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

Yes... I think it's the "surrogate" child effect. Just like Kids have to have play dates, people think doggies have to have them too.

I don't see the problem with allowing one's dog to have a good time and get a lot of exercise it would not otherwise get. In one half-hour of playing they can get miles of running in, running that would take an owner hours to provide. Everyone does not have the time or physical ability to provide a high level of exercise. Dogs don't 'have to have' play dates but they surely can be a part of a dog's socialization and exercise. Calling it a surrogate child effect sounds like a put-down and an unnecessary one.

[kitmcd]

I agree that it's not "necessary" and it's not for every dog. Right now my 5 month old GSD loves to play and when a younger tolerant dog is around to run and chase with, she loves it and it gives her a great amount of exercise. My two older dogs (Pit/boxer age 8 and beagle age 9) just do not enjoy any extended play time with her....about 10 min is their limit. My beagle is also one who has never enjoyed other dogs, just tolerates them. Give her a strange human or another dog and she picks the human every time.

IMHO I don't think there is any "right" or "wrong", it's what works best with you and with your individual dog.

[Mrs.K]

IMHO I don't think there is any "right" or "wrong", it's what works best with you and with your individual dog.

I don't see the problem with allowing one's dog to have a good time and get a lot of exercise it would not otherwise get. In one half-hour of playing they can get miles of running in, running that would take an owner hours to provide. Everyone does not have the time or physical ability to provide a high level of exercise. Dogs don't 'have to have' play dates but they surely can be a part of a dog's socialization and exercise. Calling it a surrogate child effect sounds like a put-down and an unnecessary one.

I've got multiple dogs myself, that get to play together, if I let them to. I wouldn't go out to seek play dates. However, if you see that your dog doesn't do well around other dogs, why force it on the dog?

There are people that just won't stop trying to have play dates or going to the dog parks, even though there were multiple incidents already. They are blind to the fact that staying away from stuff like that is the best thing to do and that is because Society almost dictates that any dog, has got to be social and to play with other dogs and it almost looks like you are a bad dog owner if you don't have them play with others or say that you don't want your dog to play with others...

[GSDolch]

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

Yes... I think it's the "surrogate" child effect. Just like Kids have to have play dates, people think doggies have to have them too.

I have four kids, why the heck would I need to "surrogate" with my dogs?

While it might not be something everyone wants to do, there is most certainly nothing wrong with it. Some dogs enjoy it, some dogs do not. If a dog did not enjoy it then maybe judgements such as this one would fit. (But that might bring up other issues too! lol)

OP, if you want to try, I see no reason not to. Either way its not going to hurt anything to try if you go about it properly. Neutral ground, maybe start taking them for walks on leash, etc etc. And see how it goes. Take it slowly.

[GSDolch]

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

I've got multiple dogs myself, that get to play together, if I let them to. I wouldn't go out to seek play dates. However, if you see that your dog doesn't do well around other dogs, why force it on the dog?

There are people that just won't stop trying to have play dates or going to the dog parks, even though there were multiple incidents already. They are blind to the fact that staying away from stuff like that is the best thing to do and that is because Society almost dictates that any dog, has got to be social and to play with other dogs and it almost looks like you are a bad dog owner if you don't have them play with others or say that you don't want your dog to play with others...

In the OP cases though there has not really been any incidents. So I really don't see why people have to take issue to them wanting a play mate. One incident with a dog getting in her face is hardly a cause to peg the dog as not wanting to play with other dogs.

[Syaoransbear]

It usually depends on the dog, but I've noticed most terriers have different playing styles than Chrono and he is usually uncomfortable with that kind of style unless he knows that dog very well.

For the most part Chrono usually plays with just one dog because they have matching play styles.

[misterW]

There seems to be some confusion as to why I would like my shepherd and the pitbull to meet in the first place. The primary reason is simply because my friend and I will be in the same location at times, and we both enjoy having our dogs with us. So, if they merely tolerated each other, that would be great.

If they liked each other, that would be great -- one more dog for her to play with.

This is not a case of insisting that an unsocial dog have "friends." My dog already has several dogs that she plays with -- one of them is on its way over right now, as a matter of fact. So it's not that she NEEDS to find a friend; I'd just rather not have to leave her every time I go visit my friend.