How to Train Your Dog to Be Calm Around Other Dogs

Hello, First, I would speak with your vet about whether pup can go ahead and go outside. From what I have been told puppy vaccines are effective as soon as the mother's maternal antibodies wear off, which is usually between 7-12 weeks of age. If pup has had one round of shots after eleven or twelve weeks of age, they should be safe to go outside already. I am not a vet though, so speak with your vet about how the vaccines work or research it yourself, to see if you can go ahead and take pup outside depending on the timing of their last vaccine series. Furthermore, check out the American Veterinary society of Animal Behavior's recommendations on socialization and vaccine status: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf Depending on your location, whether you have a yard where other dogs do not come often, live in a big city or apartment where being outside means being where other dogs have been, or in the country, you might be able to start outside potty training now safely. The main concern for catching parvo is the feces of other dogs where other dogs have pooping in the past. Most vets do not recommend waiting to take puppies outside until their six month rabies vaccine, as long as pup will be with you and on leash. I am not a vet though, so ask your vet. If you can't take pup potty outside safely yet, then I recommend setting up an exercise pen and attaching a crate to the pen, getting rid of all pee pads (they are more likely to cause confusing with carpeting and rugs if used for too long), and placing a disposable real grass pad outside the crate, covering the exercise pen floor area, to get pup used to going potty on that, and to stop pup from going potty in the crate. Going potty in the confined space of a crate for an extended period of time can lead to a dog loosing their natural desire to keep a confined space clean - it is that desire that helps a dog learn to keep your home clean as well, making potty training easier later. Pup is likely chewing up the pee pads because they are bored in the crate but also because they are trying to remove the soiled area from their confined space. If you continue with indoor potty training, the space set up needs to be larger and not confined, like an exercise pen for the potty area, and crate just for resting and keeping clean. Outside potty training - tethering method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 1, 2023

Hello, The whimpering is probably pup feeling a variety of emotions, wondering if the dogs will be there. That doesn't mean you didn't do the right thing though. I would see if there is an on leash dog walking group you can practice obedience with her around the other dogs with the structure of movement without as much rough play. Another option is to join a class with her so she can get the social interaction she wants but work on calmness and focus at the same time. Puppies play differently than adult dogs and a puppy who is playing too rough can annoy adult dogs who don't like that. Puppies actually learn self-control best from obedience practice and playing with other puppies of similar age, who will be able to better give feedback like yelping and pausing their play when one pup gets too rough. Even puppies playing should practice breaks with your help though when one pup seems ready for a break or play is uneven - like one dog is always the one being pinned on bottom instead of taking turns being on bottom and top, or one dog is always being chased instead of dogs taking turns chasing and being chased. A good way to interrupt play is to call puppies apart to each dog's owner, practice a couple of commands with treats being given, then let the shyer/more tired pup go first and see if they reinitiate play or want to stop, and let play continue or give a break based off of that pup's needs. Again, age matters in puppy play for learning social cues during play and adult dogs not getting inpatient and aggressive with a puppy. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Jan. 31, 2023