My 8 month old GSD has grown so much now that none of the dogs on the park that used to play with will play anymore, even though he wants to play, isn't nasty, and is just dying to play.

Its such a shame all the new dogs we meet seem either intimitdated by his size or are unsocial dogs that don't want anything to do with any other dogs.

When he gets ignored or chased off, he just looks at me as though to say "what are they doing that for mum?" and walks away sadly.

I took great pains to socialise him properly with other dogs, people, children etc. but if this continues he may decide that all strange dogs are nasty or unsocial.

Even take him to the pub with us during the day, thanks to the 2 local landlords who have known him since he was 8 weeks old. ( he's the pub mascot now)
Its a brill excuse to go for a walk and a drink at the same time!!
So if any of you live in Warrington, Cheshire and have a dog friendly dog who loves to play, let me know and we could meet up for a walk.

hi shadow. would be great to meet but unfortunatly live too far away for a short stroll, though im sure my two and yours would get on great. My Shadow loves to play with other dogs (doesnt he Melody) yet BJ tends to be a bit over-powering.
ANITA

Thanks for the offer Anita,
What breeds do you have and where do you live?
I am hoping that the breeder I got Shadow from has sucessfully mated her other bitch last month cos she said I can have pick of the bitches!!!

That will mean he will have someone to play with at last.
Cheers anyway and keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hi Shadow. I have 2 gsd . BJ who is a black & tan and my baby Shadow a blue gsd who is 18-19 weeks. I live in Lincolnshire so to far away.Fingers and toes are all crossed.

How did you get on when you introduced the new pup to your older dog? I was scared that he may be too rough with the new puppy, just cos he's big and clumsy.
Did they sleep together from day one or did you separate them?
Can you tell I'm starting to panic now?

Shadow.
At first BJ wouldn't have anything to do with Shadow,growling at him whenever he ventured to close.It was a couple of weeks until he actually tolerated Shadow anywhere near him, but now they both charge around the garden together playing. I nearly cried the first time this happened cause then i knew everything was okay. I didnt use a crate for Shadow but for the first few nights kept him in my kitchen. I think it was about 1 week later that i left them both in the same room together while i slept on the settee just to make sure and it wasnt long after that, that i left them alone together and luckily everything worked out. For me two dogs are just as easy as one and Bj has definateley helped me with "my baby"
Anita

It was quite funny watching BJ sulking as this little yappy thing jumped around him :D

You should hear the pair of them now in the garden! Just as well Hudson likes to make a noise too

Mind you ..for all Anitas baby leaping all over BJ , he is very wary of Hudson (who only wants to play and pull those lovely ears ...honest!)

:D

Hudson obviosly likes Shadow and wants to keep part of him to himself as a souvenier eh Melody;)

OI!

Get off the computer and feed your kids !

:D :D :D

I hope Shadow and the new girl adjust as well as yours obviously do.
I can't wait for the new arrival in the future, I just hope the pup knows what I'm letting it in for?
I know I was whinging about him running off but to be honest I am really proud of him, rather have him run off than have a stand off.
He's a big softy and I hope he stays that way.

I think it may be that he is beginning to smell like an adult male more than his size. Also think it important that you do not put you feelings on to the dog, relax and let him mature and learn to live with his new status, it will take a few months but things will settel down and he will have his dog friends that he will play with again. At the moment he is probably aproaching other dogs as a puppy but smelling like an adult dog, he will soon learn the correct body languge and things will be more relaxed. Jackie H

Hi Jackie,
I don't think I convey any feelings to him as I am not worried at all, just feel sorry for him, the dogs he used to play with were mainly small lively dogs and as he has grown up, they have lost interest.
You are probably right in that he smells more like a dog now than a puppy and he is learning SLOWLY the correct body language, and soon turns tail if he is not sure of another dog. Sooooooo funny seeing a massive GSD running away from a Yorkie!!!!!
He met 6 dogs in total the other day and got either nipped or chased off by 4 of them - its a shame cos he must have the best temperament of any GSD I know.

Don't feel bad about small dogs making him run.
Pepper would walk up to the biggest baddest Rottie in the village, jump up to grab him under the neck, give it a shake, and then stalk off never looking back. The rottie would be in love & made calf eyes at her every time we walked by. The only time she was ever decent to him was during her false heat. But within a couple of weeks, she'd start snapping at him again. Poor guy.

I am afraid this is part of male adolescence. As the other dogs realise that he is growing up they feel the need to keep him from getting above himself while they still can. If he accepts the put downs and mcontinues to mature as a well adjusted canine, thanks to your effort, as Jackie says he will improve. Adult dogs don't play as readily with dogs they meet as the pups do, and tend to greet each other politely, perhaps posture a little (move quickly on so that posturing doesn't escalate to a need to prove a point) then move on, they will reseve the carefree playfulness for particular friends.

Hi Shadow, I get the same problem with Zac he is big and the dogs seem to come up to him
ready to box him . But i find he just likes to jump straight up in the air to play and it gives them the willys and the dogs will run off or turn away from him.

Pat

Callum as big as he is, ran from to very small dogs once, the trouble is now he either doesnt come anywhere near them and sits watching me from a distance of about 200metres, or legs it as soon as he sees them, today i was standing with some friends, with there dogs, 3 gsds, 2 leos, 2 labs, and he evenually crepted his way in to the crowd and sat himself beside me, he really is a big wimp.

I'm coming down to near Stockport weekend 11/12 May, arriving Friday afternoon. The TH would love to come and play if you're around. She'll bring her football.

Wish I was a bit closer too. My lab would definately play but I'm not so sure about my shepherd - she's got some problems and is a big woose - she'd likely hide behind me. If ever you're in Northants though look us up.

KirstyS