By what age should a dog have developed mature good doggy manners?

[aaarrrggghhhh]

Starting this because I didn't want to hijack the really interesting thread about dogs annoying other dogs...

My question is by about what age should I expect my pup to have "mature good doggy manners" by?

I have a 14 month old Cavalier who is dog OBSESSED! (He has had a lot of socialisation in supervised environments and we're out and about a lot). He normally stops dead when he sees another dog and usually (but not always) will not try and approach them until they have approached him (so he's still a little bit uncertain I think). He's very submissive and not remotely aggressive but I think can be pretty annoying to other dogs with his over friendliness once a connection has been established.

So basically he's still working on his doggy social skills.

We've had some sessions with a trainer and she's not worried about him having any issues. So basically I'm just wondering what age should I expect him to be more chilled and have really good doggy manners around other dogs and when i should start to get more behavioural advice?

(and in terms of him annoying other dogs I always have him on a lead - 10 m training lead when we're in "off lead" areas which I can easily pull in - so I don't let him approach other dogs unless I make sure that it's okay!!!)

Thanks!

Opps - sorry - should be in The Doghouse - will ask to be moved!

Sounds pretty normal to me. Our dog was a nightmare for the 1st 18 months, classid Marley and Me (and he is a lab). He was 'done' at 6 months and really calmed done at two years. Walk him off the lead in our local park. Will approach some dogs but not others (recognises a lab half a mile away). It is so important to let them socialize, lots of dogs will take the submissive stance. He sounds like a lovely dog that my dog would love to meet on his walks. He is doing normal dog behaviour and once he gets more confident will probably be less submissive or he may always be like that, but again that is ok.
Just enjoy him, they get old and slow before we know it. x

By 18 months, but it doesn’t sound like he’s lacking manners, rather that he knows not to approach other dogs. Is it rather that he’s a little nervous of other dogs/submissive? Did you meet the mother? Was she similar?

Thanks! He is lovely!

Did meet his mum and actually went on a walk with her - but she's was one of a pack of three cavvies and they stick together mostly the breeder said (but no issues or anything with other dogs)

At the moment I think he's like that person that you smile at during the party and then at 3 am they're still trying to get you up on the dance floor...

Thanks - think I just panicked a bit after reading that thread and got myself in a tizz about what I should be expecting from him at this stage!

Depends on the breed. My dog (Aussie) was about four when he calmed down. Some dogs start being calmer at about aged two. Keep up the training, be patient and it will work out in the end!

We're moving it over now, aaarrrggghhhh . Sorry for the delay

Tbh he should have his recall sorted by now. My Cav is almost 2yrs old now. He is off lead all the time that we are not by a road and has been since 12months old. I don't let him approach other dogs (except from his doggy friends, who's owners I know or if someone says their dog is happy to say hello). If dogs approach him, I let them both have their sniff then call him onwards otherwise he can get annoying to other dogs and try to follow them when they have had enough (that's a cavalier trait that doesn't leave most Cavs).

Dogs trust dog school, recommend the not allowing to approach all dogs and brief sniff and call them onwards. That is good doggy manners and stops over friendly, nervous or aggressive behaviours starting up because there is no pressure on either dog and the naturally over friendly one learns that he can't charge up to everyone he sees (dog or human) and is prevented from outstaying his welcome.

I got a second dog when cav was 18months old and he was good with him. They play lovely, he gently tells pup off when pup is being too full on or rude, etc. Pup is a cocker so they are both play together in an over friendly by other dogs standards, way though.

The pausing before running over is generally a good thing for them to develop - with mine it didn't seem a nervous behaviour, more a pause to assess whether the other dog is friendly or not.

It’s normal. What age do you expect a child to have all the social skills? 😂

18 months is normally for full size and usually between 2-4 for calming down but some never do.

Mine all lie flat, when they see another dog. The first one I had did it automatically (never taught him) and the others have copied him. It’s bizarre sometimes when we have doggie meet up with his puppies (now adults) , you will see us as s large group of maybe 7-10 dogs and they see another dog and all lie flat like daddy 😂 normally in a line. It’s a bit freaky for the dog coming towards them ! He is not aggressive and the more they socialise the more they figure it out.

Eric had pretty good manners by eighteen months. I think it helped that he walked and played with other dogs from being a small pup and so had been put in his place a few times if he overstepped the mark. I'm pretty grateful to the, at times, very patient dogs and owners who put up with him when he was a pest tbh.
Do you meet up with others on walks? There are a few of us who tend to walk together (nothing arranged just tend to walk at roughly the same times) so I think that helped Eric learn how to behave himself and they all seem to enjoy having each other to play and chase with.

Could do with some advice as well. Daughters got a dog, a beautiful whippet cross. We think she's about 8-9 months . She would have Barbara wood house in tears. She has recall, but Christ, she mental . Gets lots of walks and runs in the park but has no idea of personal space regarding other dogs. She comes here bounces round the living room, spends 5 minutes running up and down the stairs like a mad woman then goes into the garden running in circles. Is this normal for a young dog? She won't come to heel on the lead as much as we try. She's really difficult to talk out for a walk because she still pulls . I'm looking at training lessons for both of us.

Cavs are usually a bit pathetic with other dogs. I love them and have had various Cavs for over 40 years. Most Cavs will lie down when they meet other dogs as a way of saying “I’m no threat to you so don’t hurt me”.

Our dogs were taught in the house to come back when called by the time they were able to go out after last inoculation, 12 weeks, and taken to open spaces for a walk off-lead. Dogs enjoy the chance to run around and sniff new smells.

@drinkswineoutofamug -whippet cross here too. We actually got a dog trainer in because walking her was like flying a kite.
2 things trainer said that stuck with me 1) - don't stand any nonsense. 2) Always be the most interesting thing. We always take 2 toys out so we have one in reserve to attract attention.
I always asked people if their dogs were friendly before I let her near them but made sure she had LOTS of socialisation. That way she learnt how to behave with nice dogs and now understands doggie language really well - now doesn't approach dogs that don't display friendly behaviour.
She does need a run EVERY day.
Good luck. Really worth it.

Thank you @MsMcWoodle . I totally get the flying a kite bit. I'm forever changing the lead from one hand to the other and getting in knots. We will persevere with her . She's a beautiful dog. Loves cuddles and licks . Her not us!
Will look for a local dog trainer.

Our Cav was 20 months when we had him through a rescue centre. He was poorly socialised, never been off the lead and a bit of a clot around other dogs to be honest. I took him to group dog training which helped a lot.

@drinkswineoutofamug Absolutely gorgeous and very similar to mine.
Another thing - try a harness with a front lead attachment. She pulled terribly, but these harnesses are great - if she pulls she just turns round.

aaaaaarrrrggghhh love the party analogy. Mine is like the person at a party who finds out where you live and then turns up outside the next day with all her stuff in a moving van. Then stalks you for the next three years. Good job we love them, eh.

JesusInTheCabbageVan

Oh god totally! heh heh.

My boy's also the boyfriend who buys you flowers every day, asks how your day was and do you need a massage as soon as you walk in the door, leaves love notes in your lunch box, laughs at all your jokes and DRIVES YOU SLOWLY INSANE.

Not sure if its worked - but this is photo of him with (one of!) his girlfriends last week...