I took Scout to his second puppy class last night. He is doing great with the training part (he was the demo dog for down, which we had never worked on and he got it right away). When we had play time he was in a group with a standard poodle and pit bull. Those two dogs played together the whole time and Scout just sniffed around and was more interested in all the other people there instead of the dogs. Is this normal for a golden? Do you think he just prefers people company to other dogs? Just wondering if others have experienced this.
Puppy not playing with other dogs
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Some dogs prefer people to other dogs. Opus was like that. Although she would warm up to 'calm dogs'. She usually shyed away from any pup that was excited or that wanted to play.
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Just let him do his own thing at his own pace. As long as the other dogs aren't making him fearful or aggressive, his attitude is very healthy. Some dogs live for playtime with other dogs; others prefer to hang out with people. Goldens to tend to love playtime, but they're also such people-focused dogs that you do occasionally get one that wants to move from person to person, particularly if they smell of treats.
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My first golden was like that--wouldn't really play that much with other dogs, even as he got older. He was more of a "people dog." When my breed club would host events, he'd be out swimming with the other dogs, but always off to himself. He'd get excited about running after a ball with a pack of dogs, but wouldn't play keep away, or take away--he'd bark to let you know he wanted the ball thrown again--even if he wasn't the one who got the ball.
My second golden was a "social butterfly." She had to greet all people and dogs and other animals. Everyone had to be her friend. She was extremely laid back, and would just take in the action, greet one and all, and have a great time mingling.
Appreciate your pup for the golden that they are becoming; they leave us far too soon. Both of my goldens were seniors, and they passed away within 2 years of each other; my current pup, now 16 months old, is like a pleasant blend of both of them. As others have said, as long as your pup is not stressed or afraid, enjoy these times together. Sounds like you have a very smart golden to be used as the class demo dog already!
My second golden was a "social butterfly." She had to greet all people and dogs and other animals. Everyone had to be her friend. She was extremely laid back, and would just take in the action, greet one and all, and have a great time mingling.
Appreciate your pup for the golden that they are becoming; they leave us far too soon. Both of my goldens were seniors, and they passed away within 2 years of each other; my current pup, now 16 months old, is like a pleasant blend of both of them. As others have said, as long as your pup is not stressed or afraid, enjoy these times together. Sounds like you have a very smart golden to be used as the class demo dog already!
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During Timber's puppy kindergarten classes, there were times he was more interested in the toys around him then the other puppies.
At the time, he just found something more interesting.
That's OK. Just because he isn't terribly interested in the other pups doesn't mean he will always be like that. He's just exploring the world around him. People are exciting too
At the time, he just found something more interesting.
That's OK. Just because he isn't terribly interested in the other pups doesn't mean he will always be like that. He's just exploring the world around him. People are exciting too
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My 9yr old Tanner is like that - he loves to play with his cousin dogs that he has known for a long time but only for a small amount of time. Other than that he would rather be with people.
Cooper our 7month old is crazy for any dog and any human.
Cooper our 7month old is crazy for any dog and any human.
This is great information for me as well. We were in Dog 101 class last night. During play time at the end of class, Ginger (8 months old) mingled more with people than romping with the other puppies. During the actual class she was vocal and distracted by the other dogs in the class but once everyone was off lease for play, she didn't seem as interested with the other puppies. She made a few mad romps around the room with a few of the puppies but then stayed around the edge where the people were standing. I thought she was being overly shy but maybe she just wanted to get those extra head pats and loves from the people. Does this sound like yours?
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Bailey did the same exact thing in Puppy Kindergarten! During the play time she would just go down the line of people to say hello (and probably see what kind of treats they had!), but she truly could have cared less about playing with the other dogs.
As we've gone through more training she has definitely become more interested in the other dogs, but truthfully I think she still prefers the people!
As we've gone through more training she has definitely become more interested in the other dogs, but truthfully I think she still prefers the people!
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Yup, Flora was the same way in her puppy class. She was SO interested in the children in that class but paid no mind to the dogs.
As someone else said, some dogs are more people-oriented than dog-oriented. Flora is. She has never played with another dog, but she will play endlessly with people. It's just in their nature.
As someone else said, some dogs are more people-oriented than dog-oriented. Flora is. She has never played with another dog, but she will play endlessly with people. It's just in their nature.
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I've noticed a similar problem with my best friend's golden. We took Kaylee and her best friend Gracie to a dog park together, and while Kaylee loved running with the other dogs and playing, Gracie stuck close to us and seemed very timid and shy. She was the same way during puppy training, very shy and afraid to use the tunnels and almost unsure of herself. Glad to know it's fairly normal, I worry about her.
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Penny Lane wasn't very interested in other pups either. Last week there was a little pit bull puppy biting her ears and trying to get her to play (not during playtime, though) and Penny Lane just laid there and looked at her like "What are you doing? It's learning time" Then during play time she would sniff the outer edges of the room then play with the other pups for a bit when they came to play with her and then she left them and went back to the people.
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tringa your pup may be overwhelmed with the particular playmates ...can you look for a mellow playmate...or help her by going for short, on leash, walks wtih other handler/dog teams so she can learn how to relate to other dogs in a less confrontational setting.
as to Annie08 - could be the play style of the other dogs was more then she was able to deal with at the moment...so she withdrew and pacified herself with her sniffing. Some dogs will use sniffing as a way to try to draw other dogs to them in a more neutral way...kind of a 'paralell play' style versus an 'in your face' style...
Getting the extra petting from the people was a big bonus
as to Annie08 - could be the play style of the other dogs was more then she was able to deal with at the moment...so she withdrew and pacified herself with her sniffing. Some dogs will use sniffing as a way to try to draw other dogs to them in a more neutral way...kind of a 'paralell play' style versus an 'in your face' style...
Getting the extra petting from the people was a big bonus
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