Will this behavior last? (I hope so!!)

sterlingsmom

As some of you know, I live on the Chesapeake Bay. I take Sterling for two walks a day off lead. She is now 3 1/2 months old. she's been highly socialized with people and other dogs. My parents have a golden retriever puppy about four weeks older than Sterling. Their puppy gets SO excited when he sees people or other dogs that you can't control him. If they take him off lead, he won't listen at ALL to them. He jumps all over people and other dogs...my Sterling is different. I can walk the beach and she will NEVER stray very far from me. In fact, this morning, she was right under my feet. If a person comes walking by us or up near us, sometimes she'll walk up to them and sniff them but then comes right back to my side. NEVER any jumping (on them, not me!) and even if there's other dogs, she'll play a little...not rough...then come right to me when I keep walking. My Jack Russells are not like this. They will run up to a dog (they leave people alone unless they have food) but they will not play nice....I was just wondering if this is typical Weim behavior, or if it's because I've done a good job socializing or what. I LOVE that she's a puppy and loves me sooo much and minds so well...I guess I'm just hoping it's not a "stage" and that she'll always be this way. I had a weim mix years ago that was the same way, but I can't remember the puppy stages clearly...Gosh, I hope this continues!! Any thoughts??

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:55 am Post subject: Playing

Oh, and here's a video from last weekend of Sterling playing with one of my other dogs. It's really cute!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2037946573

anne · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:55 am Post subject:

You're doing a great job, keep it up! But also be prepared to reinforce what you've been teaching thru adolescence! They do start to test you during this stage, but the more you've done when they are young, the less they seem to test you.

josie · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

It's impossible to say if the behaviour will last or not. I do think that Weims are more aloof towards strangers than breeds like labs and goldies.

It's also hard to say if it's anything to do with socialising or not. The thing is: Sometimes an undersocialised dog will be really excited to see people, because it is usually so deprived of them, that's true.

But also, equally often, a dog which has been incredibly well socialised, perhaps oversocialised and so is used to getting affection, treats and pats from strangers will also greet them like this. So, you can get the same result from opposite starting points.

Equally, with a dog which doesn't seem to care much for strangers - this can be due to undersocialisation (not in your Weim's case obviously) and really at heart the dog is a bit wary of strangers which is why it appears aloof.

Or, it could be that the dog has been very well socialised to strangers and has learnt they are no big deal and more or less takes them forgranted!

So it's impossible to say! But I do agree with Anne that often little puppies are not confident enough to venture far away from you. As they go through adolescence they get more confident and then if you haven't trained a good recall, it can be tough!

BAYLOR · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

I love the video. It reminds me so much of Baylor when she was a baby she used to and still does use her legs like arms and made noises that were not quite barking or growling we have always called it talking. She would much rather talk during play than bark but sometimes she gets carried away and gets a little loud. She has also discovered that she can look at me and so she thinks talk, it is like she really thinks that she is talking. They are such funny and affectionate dogs. For the behavior Baylor has gotten a little testier in her adolescence stage but for the most part stayed the same as she was when she was younger.