First playdate what to watch out for

[spidey]

In fact, Sully is now still Parkers best buddy. Sully is an intact male, 19 month old Irish Setter, Parker is a 15-month-old intact male. They LOVE each other. I couldn't possibly tire out Parker like Sully can - and Parker for Sully.

Since I've seen these two playing many times, I'll also point out that hierarchy plays almost no role in their play. They take turns being "top dog", they'll even offer the "top dog" spot to each other when one's had it for a while. They're extremely egalitarian, and they really do love each other (if you ask Sully "wanna go see Parker?", he gets insanely excited). I think that many dogs are perfectly capable of playing for the sake of playing, without any "serious" discussion about who's in charge. I've seen it with my own two eyes many times. I don't think dogs HAVE TO play with each other, but I think it enhances the lives of many dogs to have playtime with other dogs.

[LynnS]

Here is my experience and my two cents. A dog does not have to play with other dogs to tolerate their presence at shows or at parks etc...

I actually socialized Bella with other dogs ALOT when she was really young and she started to get snotty with other dogs - always asserting herself as leader. Now she has 2 dogs she adores (both older females). Other dogs hold little or no interest to her other than a curious sniff(unless he is in heat in which case the only exposure to other dogs she has may be at a show). I take her to the a beach where dogs are allowed off leash and she basically ignores the other dogs and plays with us. I can put her in a down stay in class 1 foot away from another dog and she could care less. Same with dog shows (saying hi to people is another matter all together)...

She is well behaved around other dogs in the best sense of the word - she doesn't react.

I am not generalizing my experience to others just giving you my experience.... but I don't agree with you Trish- there is a huge difference between being well behaved in the presence of other dogs and wanting to make friends or play (which is usually highly discouraged at shows and in class anyways)

[TrishB]

Originally posted by LynnS
but I don't agree with you Trish- there is a huge difference between being well behaved in the presence of other dogs and wanting to make friends or play (which is usually highly discouraged at shows and in class anyways)

Which is a fair assessment! :)

However....

Originally posted by LynnS
I actually socialized Bella with other dogs ALOT when she was really young and she started to get snotty with other dogs - always asserting herself as leader. Now she has 2 dogs she adores (both older females). Other dogs hold little or no interest to her other than a curious sniff

And I would offer for discussion that since she HAS two friends that she now gets to play with AND that she was very well socialized, that other dogs don't hold the mystery for her that they would had she NOT had the opportunity to play and socialize from time to time. ;)

Just another perspective! :D

[lblax]

Originally posted by TrishB
I would offer for discussion that since she HAS two friends that she now gets to play with AND that she was very well socialized, that other dogs don't hold the mystery for her that they would had she NOT had the opportunity to play and socialize from time to time. ;)

Just another perspective! :D

and with the proper training they dont even acknowledge the other dogs.... it all depends what you want from your dog if you are working yuour dog in dogs sports or whatever then 1 bad play experiance could ruin months maybe years of training but if its just a pet and after a bad play experiance you have a dog agressive or fearful of other dogs then you can just take the dog out of that and future situation...... when your working your dog everything comes from you you are his life other dogs dont hold any mystery for my dog either he doesnt acknowledge there existance

[TrishB]

As I said - I can see both sides. However, to assume that there would be a bad play session, and therefore, never to have one - is a huge assumption.

Parker hasn't had any bad play sessions. Why? Because I chose his playmates carefully, I monitor the situation and I act upon it if something does seem to be turning worse.

I think that there are advantages and disadvantages of both sides here. You just have to decide what's best for you, be honest with your expectations of your dog and what will work in your personal situation. :)

[LynnS]

And I would offer for discussion that since she HAS two friends that she now gets to play with AND that she was very well socialized, that other dogs don't hold the mystery for her that they would had she NOT had the opportunity to play and socialize from time to time.

Possibly the fact that she was well socialized took away the mystery all though I doubt it - the more she interacted with other dogs the more interested she got...and the less responsive she was to me...

She doesn't play regularly with either of the dogs she likes.

[danyp1]

Thank you all for your posts. I do want her to become a working dog not just a "house pet". I think rottweilers are born to work and if you are not willing to work them you should not have one..
I also will keep my playdate and watch out for any signs of stress and other things what where suggested. I value every opinion. I will let you know how it went. Thanks again.

[Carina43]

I'll just throw in the following, FWIW:

Not all dogs are good candidates for playing with other dogs - my last Rottweiler couldn't care less about other dogs. He just wanted to interact with people. He pretty much ignored any dog he met, apart from the occasional "hi how are ya, sniff sniff." And Phoebe just thought every other dog on the planet should have been killed. :D But all three of my current dogs enjoy a good natured play session.

And - Cooper particularly (because he's so often with me) will go on "ignore" mode when I tell him to. He plays when I give him permission to play with another dog. But if I tell him to leave it, he will and he's now very good about it. Best of both worlds. :)

[danyp1]

Thanks for all your info`s. The "playdate" worked out fine. She was a bit shy but warmed up fast. But we kept it rather short only about 10 min. and the rest of the time I did some training commands on leash meanwhile the other pup was playing. Which worked out great.