At what age do you stop puppy socialization with other dogs if you do?

[RocketDog]

There is a thread or two going on right now about doggie playdates and whether dogs need them or not, or whether they're detrimental. I didn't want to hijack anyone's thread so I'm starting this one.

Obviously puppy socialization is a good thing, so using well-mannered adults or a few puppies same in age and stage, can be helpful. To those of you who feel dogs don't need "friends", at what age then do you stop these with maximum benefit gained? What if you will have an animal that will be around other dogs on a regular basis, such as family friends' pets, etc? Do you just continue those encounters only then when it's YOU getting together?

[Frankly I'm Frank]

[mthurston0001]

My dogs see each other once in a while, but do not play together. That's from puppy through to adult. Not that it's right or wrong, just my preference. For me, socialization is about becoming neutral to the environment and engaging with me.

[RocketDog]

So you didn't introduce them to any other dogs as puppies?

[mthurston0001]

Not after I get them, but I train in environments with other dogs around. There may be a brief interaction with one of my other dogs, but that's about it. I really don't introduce them and let them play. And I never let them engage with dogs I don't know well.

[GSDBESTK9]

We might let our puppies play with other puppies of the same age at our Schutzhund Club but not for long and never with strange dogs we know nothing about.

Our dogs get occasional playtime with each other but that's about it. For exercise we take a ball and play fetch with whichever dog till they are exhausted or we take them swimming.

[Chicagocanine]

To me, socialization never ends. If a dog does not want to play with other dogs that is fine, if that was the case I would not do "play dates" per se but I would keep up socialization with other dogs in a different way.

That said I got Bianca as a 4 year old and did play dates with friends' dogs with her. They have definitely not been detrimental and I'm not sure how they would be.

I think she enjoys it, what do you think:

You Tube

You Tube

[Courtney]

I firmly believe my dog only needs me..not other dogs to play with.

It's important for my dog to tolerate other dogs. We have been in some sort of training class since my dog was about 12 weeks old and he works well around other dogs but does not come in direct contact with them.

I do enjoy walks with my neighbor who has a lab..our boys walk side by side but do not touch each other. We are always out and about and we pass on leash dogs with no issues.

Again, he's fine around other dogs but he's not "playing" with them. He thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread and I love it! lol

[RocketDog]

Well, that's exactly how my other dog was. I like that--that he was tolerant of other dogs, well-behaved with ones he wass in contact with regularly (we have friends that have an excellent older dog who they bring everywhere with them, and we camp with them quite a bit.

I want Rocket to be that way too--not necessarily seek them out, but fine if I need him to be. My other dog would never have initiated any sort of incident. He went with the attitude of "I'm equal to you, but I don't need to prove it so let's just agree we are equals" mostly. Occasionally with rude dogs he would let them know he wouldn't stand for it, but he was very trustworthy and just not interested. He is 6.5 and only plays with a couple of dogs in a rotation, of about one meeting a week or every 10 days. I must say, it did give me a break when he was landsharking.

Just wondering what the next step is.

[GSDolch]

Originally Posted by Chicagocanine

To me, socialization never ends. If a dog does not want to play with other dogs that is fine, if that was the case I would not do "play dates" per se but I would keep up socialization with other dogs in a different way.

That said I got Bianca as a 4 year old and did play dates with friends' dogs with her. They have definitely not been detrimental and I'm not sure how they would be.

I think she enjoys it, what do you think:

Bianca and Calvin playing 1 - YouTube

You are obviously trying to compensate for something else here. I mean really, how could you do this to the poor dog!!!!

Seriously though, love the video!

Honestly I don't care what someone does. If they feel that they dog needs other dogs to play with, that is fine, if they do not, then that is fine to. It is up to the dog owner to decide what is best for their dog. I try not to jump to any conclusions with people and dogs I do not know.