Dog Community

Dogs shouldn't play together past 5 months old?

Posted : 11/20/2006 10:51:59 PM

I went to a new dog trainer (agility) tonight who I'm a little torn about (long story). Anyway she made this comment... "Dogs shouldn't play together past 5 months old". She claims this was said by Dr. Ian Dunbar. Apparently they need to focus on you, the handler, and not playing with other dogs.

It just struck me as odd. Does anyone know if Ian Dunbar actually said this?

Xebby

Posted : 11/20/2006 11:16:32 PM

In Gizmo's 1st class dogs were not allowed to socolize. It was more for training purposes then anything else. For me it worked out great because that was when I was first trying to get a handel on Gizzy's agression and she didn't need any stange dogs that close to her but she was in very much need of the training.

I think for training it's better the dogs don't play together, it helps their mind focus on the task at hand insted of being distracted by whatever fufu is doing over there.

Now out in the open like at a dog park it's great they can play with each other. Like everything you need to teach the dog when it's the apprortate time to play and when they should not.

Stephanie Book

Posted : 11/21/2006 12:26:17 AM

I have no idea if he said that or not, but I wanted to make a comment on it anyway. I think it's ridiculous to not let dogs over 5 months of age play with each other. Maybe your instructor was talking about during class, and then that would make sense. In puppy class Mirelle sometimes got to play with the other puppies, but in beginner class, we focused more on the learning, as Xebby said. That's really the only context I can understand it in. Mirelle is almost a year (tomorrow!) and Cassidy is three, and they play together all the time. Cassidy gets together with her 'buddies' to play. And so does Mirelle. It doesn't matter the age of the dog, as long as they have an ok temperament with other dogs and it's in the correct situation.

Firestorm

Posted : 11/21/2006 7:00:52 AM

I would assume the trainer meant in class. The same went for Harley in beginner obedience. During class he worked and after class he was allowed to socialize and play but not before or during class.

dasher

Posted : 11/21/2006 9:21:09 AM

I am not sure if Ian Dunbar said that or not, but I agree with the others, I assume your instructor meant "in class", which makes sense to me. When I am in agility class the dogs do not really play, I think it would really distract them. Occasionally before class or while waiting for our turn we let a few "buddies" in the class sniff on another and do a little playing on lead but nothing that gets them too wound up. I know my instructor can be pretty disciplined during class but after class is a whole different story. I take private lessons from her and after one lesson she brought out her JRT who is Dasher's full sister, (different litter). They ran around like lunatics!! They had a great time. [

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diane303

Posted : 11/21/2006 10:41:18 AM

My husband and I have both Trudy and Grace in the same obedience class. They are not allowed to interact during class. At first it was a real hassle, but they are getting more focused and confident, it's working. I think that this helps them understand that class time is not play time. It is time to pay attention to your handler. It is an important element to prepare for off leash work. Focus on you is most important.

sillysally

Posted : 11/21/2006 10:59:50 AM

I don't think it's good during training, but have no issue with it during appropriate times.

jones

Posted : 11/21/2006 11:55:50 AM

I would agree with not having older puppies play in class. We took Russell to a puppy K and then to "Graduate Puppy" when he was 5mo - the puppies in that class were 6-12mo old. In the early puppy K the socialization time was great and went smoothly, but in the grad class there were more scuffles, barking, rowdy wrestling, etc. I think for one thing puppies that age can get pretty rowdy an in an enclosed room it can get out of hand. And also, compared to when they were younger they seemed a little less able to separate playtime from learning time... like teenagers try to throw spitballs during social studies [

]... a big part of group classes is teaching the dogs to focus around distractions, and for adolescents it's probably best not to make it more difficult than it needs to be.