Hello all,
We've had our pup for three months now. She's fantastic for her age - totally toilet-trained, picking up training v quickly and eagerly and has great recall (for now, I know!).
When we walk in the local park or beach she is off lead unless we see a dog on lead, in which case I recall her and put her on a lead to pass. When we pass an off-lead dog, she tends to say hello and try to initiate play. Depending on the dog, they'll either run/play together or she'll come back to me if I realise the dog doesn't want to play (she's very good at recall even with another dog off lead - for now, I know I know 🤣). All in all, I don't think I can ask for much more of her at this age.
However, we're going on holiday with my mum and her dog in a couple of weeks. Her dog is older and definitely not up for playing. We've realised that our pup has little experience walking with but not playing with other dogs - she either moves on or gets to run and play. I am worried that our dog will annoy my mum's dog, not leave her alone and continually try to engage her in play.
How important is it that we organise walks with other dogs, so she can learn to walk beside others without necessarily playing? And what strategies should we be using to make walking beside my mum's dog boring so our pup doesn't annoy her? I don't know if this is something we actively have to teach, or if over time she will get less playful and it'll become less of an issue.
Thanks!
Pic just because ❤️