I know this was the case with many infectious diseases, wasn't it.
A lot of the problem was that dogs were not kept in. With no cars, and only the occasional slow moving horse and cart there was no need. But my grand parents lived in a terrace which had a communal passage. Next door had to walk through their back garden to get to the passage so no gardens could be fenced in even if they'd wanted to. So yes, dogs were a source of infection if any infectious diseases were around.
My father's parents had a different problem in that a public footpath ran through their garden.
My own first pedigree dog, a Dalmatian, never came along until 1970 and in 54 days time it will be the 40th birthday of my very first Labrador.
As an aside from them spreading infectious diseases, I do sometimes think it's a shame dogs don't have such a free existence any more. Where I grew up, as a child and young teenager, there were loads of Latchkey dogs. They often formed little gangs and all hung out together, until tea time when they went back to their respective homes. None, or very few, of them were neutered and I can't ever remember seeing any of them fight, even if there was an in season bitch running with them. I can't help but wonder if many dogs are so isolated these days, they lack the experiences necessary to learn how to get along with other dogs, especially of their own gender.
I tend to find people with lots of dogs, entire or otherwise, have much better balanced dogs, who on the whole are a lot less bothersome about meeting and communicating with other passing dogs.
Obviously we can't just let our dogs roam the streets these days, it would be irresponsible, but in not doing so, our dogs seem to have lost out on a certain part of the learning process and this could be why we see so many inter-dog problems. It's all swings and roundabouts, I guess.
Cooper is an only child and his excitement at seeing other dogs is off the scale. Whereas friends with similar aged dogs in multiple dog households, they are much clamer and greet so much more politely.
I guess the novelty of another 4 legs and a tail has gone for them.
We were hoping that cooper would soon realise that and start thinking "oh theres another dog, hey hoo" and be on his way. So we do try and socialise him with plenty of dogs to try and desensitise him. (that the word?).
I have to get him to sit and wait, and if the other owner is happy, then he can go say hi. or else he is like a tigger on a string!
its not always as organised as this tho, sometimes if i dont grab the moment soon enough, its a job just to get him to sit!
Oh Gsygal - heartfelt ditto to all of that - we think Max would be better off if he wasn't an only child too, it's all too exciting for him and he's like a kid at school desperate to make friends. If you like, we will go ahead with de-plumbing on 10th Feb and report back to you with our (hopefully!) progress before you make your decision
Jules, you made me laugh - when we saw you a few months ago Max was stuck to one of yours like glue - that was the first time we noticed him favouring the ladies....
when we saw you a few months ago Max was stuck to one of yours like glue - that was the first time we noticed him favouring the ladies....
I think that was my Pood who he fell in love with, wasn't it. She has caused many a dog to discover "Women", even though she has been spayed and tells them in no uncertain terms to "Bog Off" after a while. I think it's the Playing Hard To Get thing they love
Charlie is a spayed two year old girl and we regularly meet two black labs. Both were entire and the younger one (who was a private rescue) was an absolute pain to Charlie, he was always attached to her rear end and it always ended up that he had to go back on his lead. The older entire boy never bothered with Charlie. The owner decided to have the younger boy castrated. The first month his hormones seemed to go mental and then all of a sudden he has calmed down beautifully. They all play really well together now with no problems. It has been interesting to see his beaviour change before and after the castration and for him it has definately been for the best.
Mandy, that would be great, especially as they seem so alike in their approach. Good luck with the de-plumming
Lisa, that is really helpful, thank you. I know its not going to suit all dogs, and its not going to solve all our problems, but like your friend's boy, i think if it makes Cooper more of a pleasure to have around other dogs it is defo worth considering. Id hate to think people were wanting to avoid us because they have heard on the woofer that Cooper is a pest.
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