Dog Walker thinks dog is unsociable

[yabbadabbadee]

I have an almost 3 year old spaniel who goes out with a dog Walker 3 times a week when I'm
Working.
All well and good and she's been with this dog Walker since she was 18 months old.
He generally takes 5-6 dogs out together.
The problem (which I don't think is a problem) is that my dog totally ignores every other dog.
They can be sniffing her, pinning her down, chasing her, and she completely ignores them like they don't exist.
She's very ball focussed, and she doesn't bark for a ball but will just spend the entire walk waiting for you to throw a ball or trying to sniff out someone else's lost ball.
Her recall is excellent, her temperament amazing.
He always makes little comments about how she's never played with the others, that she's a loner, antisocial etc.
He's even made comments to people I know that Bella is the antisocial one of the crew.
He admits she's never so much as growled or grumbled at another dog, she just acts like they don't exist.
Is this really a bad thing?

Sounds like the perfect dog to me!

I think she's a piece of cake to walk! As long as she thinks you have a ball in your pocket she stays close and ignores kids, livestock, squirrels, bikes, other dogs, pretty much everything!

Wish my dogs were like yours,mine are always trying to go off to play with other dogs

Awww my old boy was like your girl! He was an absolute dream to walk! Has your Walker raised this as a problem or just in conversation?

When she goes to the dog boarder overnight then I get photos of her asleep curled up to the other dogs. So she's not totally unsociable. Just prefers her ball to everything else when on a walk!

He's not raised it as a problem. Just comments that she's still not made a friend after walking with them for 18 months.
And says she's unsociable.
I think he'd prefer her to play with the other dogs. Not sure why. Maybe be less work for him not having to Chuck a ball every so often.

Is he not very experienced? I’m surprised he hasn’t come across dogs like this before. As long as she isn’t causing a problem in the group I don’t see why he would bring this up. He should be expecting to always be throwing balls as a dog Walker

I think he's been a dog Walker for at least 3 years. The dogs seem to like him. Mine is always pleased to see him and he takes them on lovely walks, is punctual and rubs them down before dropping them home.
He's insured and professional.
He just seems awfully confused that she won't play!

What a bloody weird thing to complain about. I wish all dogs were like yours!

I’m just imagining him standing looking confused as all the other dogs run off to play and your girl sits looking at him.

My border collie is exactly like this, very focused. Don't think its a problem in the slightest, they were meant to be working dogs so makes sense to me.

How long has he been walking your dog? Dogs apparently don't tend to make new 'friends' after they're around 2.

I have a 4 year old spaniel - she goes with the walker and her dogs but she not interested in the dogs or any dogs on her walks!

When we walk her again not interested in other dog - they come running up to her and she just ignores them occasionally shows so teeth to say go away.

He's been walking her since she was about 18 months. She's 3 next month!
If she's on the lead and knows there's no ball around she'll have a little friendly sniff of another dog, but that's the closest to playing she gets!
I don't think he's ever had a dog that doesn't play before!
He walks perhaps 20 dogs a week and she's the only one that won't play apparently!
It's quite funny watching. The other dogs chase her as they think she's playing catch me, but shes really just running after her ball!

I've known quite a few dogs like this. Much easier than one of those who bound up to play with every other dog

My sisters dog won’t play with other dogs but has a whale of a time by herself. She’s part collie and tries to herd my dog but won’t play with her.

I'm a dog walker & walk a 3 year old Golden Retriever.
He is not bothered about other dogs at all.
I walk him with 2 other dogs and very rarely plays with them and just does his own thing.

I wouldn't worry at all.

Clearly they've not met a spaniel

Mine was EXACTLY the same - didn't even notice other dogs, never ever even sniffed one

My 10 year old Springer collie cross doesn't do friends either. He just blanks other dogs 99 perc my of the time. Not really a problem I think

Your dog doesn't need other dogs to be happy and she obviously prefers her ball.
I wish my dog was like this, he was the exact opposite, far too interested in the attention he could get from humans and dogs. If i stopped to talk to someone and asked him to sit patiently he would, but he would protest loudly. He did not like to be ignored.
Enjoy your 'unsociable' dog op.

I definitely do enjoy her.
Our old dog was dog aggressive/reactive and I spent every walk on the look out for dogs that might cause a problem, so her ignoring other dogs is totally the other end of the scale!
I really like it!

Her lack of interest in other dogs isn't a problem; there's no rule to say dogs have to mix with others if they don't want to.

What may be an issue is her obsession with a ball; she shouldn't be chasing a ball every walk, every day without exception. The fast acceleration, spinning turns, sudden stops, perhaps jumping to catch the ball can all cause strain on her muscles and joints (the canine equivalent of RSI), burns and cuts to her paws and carpal pads.

She needs some time to do 'dog things' even if those things don't involve other dogs. Mooching, sniffing, swimming maybe.

Most dogs love a ball but it shouldn't be the overriding thing in their lives. Obsessive dogs can be a pain in the park, getting into trouble stealing other dogs' (or kids') balls or defending their own.

My Spaniel totally ignores other dogs.

Ball obsessed but he isn’t allowed a ball.

Mine is ball obsessed. He isn't allowed a ball anymore but still doesn't want to play with dogs as he prefers to be off doing his own thing by picking up scents or bounding about in the bushes (he is a WCS).

I never understand this obsession some people have that dogs must play together. They are as individual as we are.

My dog walker says he is often off to one side having fun but doing his own thing on group walks.

When I walk him he allows other dogs to sniff him briefly but he really just wants to do what he is bred to do which is follow a scent.

this struck a chord with me. My spaniel cross (cockerpoo if you must) 4 year old bitch is just like your's OP. She could not care if there is no other dog to 'play' with nor is she ball orientated.
She focuses on humans (particularly those with her) or runs around doing her own thing while ignoring other dogs.
On the other hand she is very focussed on wildlife, cats and birds - will sit for a long time waiting for them to come within reach.
She is not vocal at all - she will only bark at unexpected humans who she takes an aversion to.
She is unlike any other dog I have ever had. Not complaining.