socialisation limitations

[Emma Hardie]

Wee saxon is doing well, a big 13 weeks old now!
But there is something bugging me
we've been taking him out for weeks and weeks for socialisation
but it seems like wherever we take him people aren''t coming over to say hi etc
we try every day, and thinking it might just be our area, we drove to various places but its the same! people will walk past and smile at the puppies but never stop even though he's begging them to!
whatever happened to the days when nobody could resist a puppy?!
it may be something to do with dog legislation and pressures these days. .
or the fact that he walks with my two muzzled greyhounds/lurchers + people are scared of them . .
he's fine at puppy gatherings though, but its for the future: obviously dogs need to carry on socialising throughout their lives and i'm sick of people in my areas attitude toward dogs, but that obviously cant be changed

has anyone else had this problem?
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Emma, KT the greyhound, Robbie the lurcher, Pheonix (Pisces) & Soho (Stuart Little Junior) the Chihuahuas x
greyhounds make greyt pets! x
www.gal.org.uk

[Lisa/Colin]

Havent had this problem , but I think Hektor intimidates a lot of people, they are either all over him or running for the hills

You could try taking him to the local school gates at going in (9am) or coming out (3pm) time...most kids and a lot of the parents will want to pet him, Hek is great with people, especially kids (only dogs that are the problem

Lisa

[Jack]

I have to say I don't encounter this problem - EVEN having my devil dogs with me I think it's because as people approach I get mine to sit at my heels out of the way all nice and calm so people are confident that they're well behaved and most importantly that I am in control of them. Sometimes they pass by calmly smiling or expressing their thanks, sometimes they stop to say hi - I don't mind which I'm just proud of my lots' behaviour AND that these people appreciate the effort I put in and the good manners my dogs exhibit. It's refreshing because many members on my forum report the exact same thing as you Emma despite their dogs all being beautiful natured but naturally exhuberant.

Come to Co Durham hunny and I'll make the BIGGEST fuss EVER of all 3 of your dogs meanwhile try and get out on more pack walks with John & the gang - you'll get all the socialisation you and your pooches could want and with everyone watching out for each other AND each others' dogs it's a brill way to spend an afternoon.
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Emma Hardie]

thanks for the replys
thats a great idea about the school times - im sure the young uns wont be able to resist an andrex puppy!
i know what you mean - 90% of people seem to want nothing to do with them, but the other 10% are too forward and my greyhounds are a bit skittish when they dont know someone, so we can never win! Now i think of it, the other 10% are usually drunk or coming out the bookies!

Jack, I wish there were doggy people like everyone on the forum nearer to me to get saxon socialized + work on my two bags of greyhound nerves!
I'll bear in mind the walks when the new one comes home in july to get a better socialization experience for her
im on a dog training instructor course at the moment which is on at inconvenient times to join the walks the now, but thatll be finished by july ^^

so i know in the future, what times/ where are the walks?
Cheers
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Emma, KT the greyhound, Robbie the lurcher, Pheonix (Pisces) & Soho (Stuart Little Junior) the Chihuahuas x
greyhounds make greyt pets! x
www.gal.org.uk

[Jack]

I'm sure one of the gang can let you know when they plan the walks hun - perhaps by pm. I know some people don't like to post on open forum when they will be out of their homes - you never know who's reading seeing as this and my own forum is open to guests as well as members Also if there's someone on here you get on really well with and who's dogs it would be ideal for yours socialise with you can arrange that too.

Having Staffs and also having known many skittish & abuse cases I tone down my own reactions to dogs until they get to know me - all I want to do is kiss, cuddle and play with them but the first time I meet a new dog I hold myself in check and let them realise I am to be trusted and respected before I make friends properly. There's noone better than a fellow dog lover & pack leader to help your dogs overcome their fears & build their socialisation skills. I'm too far away to be of much help but there's loads of lovely people on here only too willing and able to help so go for it

Good luck and hopefully you'll make some progress with this. You never know - some of the school mums/dads might have dogs of their own and seeing yours may invite you to join them on a walk? Kids are a great ice breaker but keep them calm around pup - last thing you want is loads of excited kids bearing down on him - could have the reverse effect of all you are trying to achieve. The kids in our neighbourhood all know my pack and most have been to meet them and make friends but they know I INSIST they stay calm and approach one at a time, not crowd and not get over excited or the dogs get put away and they don't get their cuddles. Because I take the time to explain why I insist on this the kids understand and respect it and are great at meeting the pooches properly and none are now scared of the big bad Staffies they were once terrified of thanks to the media and NOT to my lot who's behaviour is always impeccable around children.
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Emma Hardie]

aaaah good point!

yeah, i think thats what my 2 rescues really need, they're 100 times better than they were 6 years ago, but robbie in particular will duck away from any hand that reaches out to him.

your lot sound like angels - i'm so glad that there are owners out there helping to regain the good name of the staffie, they dont deserve any of this rubbish they seem to be plagued with.
ive met plenty of rescue staffies who have had tough pasts, but they still come out the other side loving + friendly!

Thanks for the advice
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Emma, KT the greyhound, Robbie the lurcher, Pheonix (Pisces) & Soho (Stuart Little Junior) the Chihuahuas x
greyhounds make greyt pets! x
www.gal.org.uk

[Ross/Ali]

hi Emma,
a bit off topic im afraid, but do you know Lorna Murray who i think is in the GAL?

R
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[Suzanne H]

My boy was a bit scared of kids because he wasn't used to them...but we worked on it ie got nieces and nephews and the neighbours kids round the house and got them to stand still and let him come to them, and they got him to sit and gave him a treat.

He is much better. I just watch his body language, and make sure any kid lets him have a sniff first.

[Emma Hardie]

[Ross/Ali]

[Jack]

My pleasure Emma.

My lot are far from Angels bless em but that's what makes em so much fun!

They're brilliant with people though and are getting better with other dogs - Sykes is the naughty one - the girls will quite happily ignore even the worst behaviour from other dogs until Gobsh1te sticks his oar in!
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk