Pups bad socialization experiences?

[Dogchatname]

Our pup is 14 weeks and is due his second immunisation on Weds, we've had to wait 4 weeks between jabs due to lockdown. I'm aware that these early days are important re. socialization so I introduced him to a vaccinated dog belonging to my Mum (she lives alone, is in our bubble). They started off fine (on leads), and then took them off lead. Our pup was frantic with excitement, constantly jumping at Mum's dog (2 year old cockapoo), who eventually started to snap and snarl.

Our pup continued to behave like a crazed thing, albeit slightly more subdued. Mum's dog had no interest in playing, so I suppose my questions are,

Have I done this wrong? Why didn't Mum's dog want to play (he plays all the time with other dogs on walks)? My dog is very small, did Mum's dog not see him as a dog, as he generally looked perplexed? And have I inadvertently damaged my dogs socialization as it didn't go that well?

lots of dogs don't like puppies because they behave exactly as you describe

if a dog snaps and snarls he's warning you - you should take the puppy away at that point as it's not fair on the dog as he's warning you he's had enough

this is what socialisation is about tbh

Ah ok, I will take him away next time, I let it go on too long. Will pup be damaged by the experience? Will Mum's dog always view him as a pain?

About 5% of socialization is dog to dog contact. The rest is learning noises, sights, and smells are all normal. They should also be learning no matter what is going on, you are the best and most exciting thing in the world. You are also the best person to come to when they're scared.

Sounds like it went fine and I'm sure they will be fine on the lead together. I just would be cautious about letting the puppy be all over him off the lead if it's something the dog doesn't tolerate.

Socialisation is so much more than just putting them in situations and letting them get on with it.

Socialisation is about how dogs feel in situations. You want most socialisation to be calm.

You really do want not want to encourage your puppy that every dog they meet they can jump all over and play with. The socialisation needs to be teaching the puppy that yes there is a dog but to focus on you is way more important than bundling in with the other dog.

A short play session if both dogs are up to it. Best way to find out is consent test. Remove the dog that is all over the one dog and watch what the other dog does. If it comes back to the puppy great but if it moves or walks away then game over.

It is important that as part of socialization that they also learn manners. Its important they learn not to jump at dogs faces, and they will need to get told off to learn usually

An overly permissive dog that allows it, is like a grandparent who allows a kid to shove them repeatedly. It's not a good thing, and I definitely have had dogs come into foster who have only learnt to play in a manic way and have no idea how to be approach others in a positive way due to never getting their manners taught by a grumpy dog!

Dogs dont have words, they have growling, baring teeth and snapping. There is usually a clear escalation but it doesnt mean that the dog is attacking, just reminding each other of their manners

It's scary when it's a puppy, but as long as theirs no teeth contact then it is all communication in my experience.

It will be good to find ways of calmly doing things like walking alongside your mums dog, practising sitting and ignoring in a park etc

Lots of adult dogs don't like puppies. My own dog is nearly three, but finds young puppies very irritating. Puppies are bouncy, mouthy and often have no manners whatsoever

Once your mums dog snapped/snarled, you should have removed your puppy from the situation (either back on lead or remove completely) and not allowed him to continue being annoying. Snapping/snarling is a big warning that a dog is uncomfortable - the lesson should be that you leave a dog alone when that happens. As puppies don't automatically understand that, you need to teach them to leave well alone.

Don't let it put you off, though. Just keep your puppy on the lead next time (you can drop it if you want) so that you can grab him safely and remove him from the situation.

Ideally what you want is calm greetings and your puppy happily moving off from the other dog. Not jumping/bouncing/leaping everywhere. Some dogs will not be happy at being bounced at and, as you've learned, they'll tell your pup off pretty sharply.