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I have never seen this question asked here in the forum. Maybe there is no easy guideline for this?
How do you know which dogs to let your dog socialize with safely-- offlead? How do you judge, determine, which dogs your dog would be compatible and friendly with? This must seem like a stupid question and so basic-- but I never had a puppy before, and Grimm is now 18 months, and almost ready to visit some doggy social-walking groups.
Grimm is not neutered (and will not be). He is slightly pushy, impulsive, excitable for his young age-- but also intuitive, generally friendly, has no truly huge dominance agenda. Also, being turned out for 10 hours a day in a huge doggy playgroup for 4 weeks at the send-away trainer's has made him learn to REALLY curb his enthusiasm, calm his greetings, and TOTALLY made him conversant in doggy-bodylanguage. He plays with dogs he likes, and ignores dogs he doesn't like. (so says my send-away trainer)
Can he never meet a pushy dog? Or a terrier? Or a female who has had pups too recently? An un-neutered male off lead? Should I keep him away from pushy dogs in general, of all genders? I do know to watch on lead for head and tail positions, hackles, stiffness, etc. But.. I have never known how people do this. Is much dependant on what the other owner says? My own dog is young... this is quite a lot to learn for me. Do you just have a sense for how things may go between the two dogs before allowing a sniff on lead, if all is peaceful, then off lead?
How do you know which dogs to let your dog socialize with safely-- offlead? How do you judge, determine, which dogs your dog would be compatible and friendly with? This must seem like a stupid question and so basic-- but I never had a puppy before, and Grimm is now 18 months, and almost ready to visit some doggy social-walking groups.
Grimm is not neutered (and will not be). He is slightly pushy, impulsive, excitable for his young age-- but also intuitive, generally friendly, has no truly huge dominance agenda. Also, being turned out for 10 hours a day in a huge doggy playgroup for 4 weeks at the send-away trainer's has made him learn to REALLY curb his enthusiasm, calm his greetings, and TOTALLY made him conversant in doggy-bodylanguage. He plays with dogs he likes, and ignores dogs he doesn't like. (so says my send-away trainer)
Can he never meet a pushy dog? Or a terrier? Or a female who has had pups too recently? An un-neutered male off lead? Should I keep him away from pushy dogs in general, of all genders? I do know to watch on lead for head and tail positions, hackles, stiffness, etc. But.. I have never known how people do this. Is much dependant on what the other owner says? My own dog is young... this is quite a lot to learn for me. Do you just have a sense for how things may go between the two dogs before allowing a sniff on lead, if all is peaceful, then off lead?

