Trials and tribulations of puppy kindergarten.

[Amandasmom]

I have a 5 month old Doxie / Beagle mix living with me. Her owner got thrown out of her apartment because they don't allow pets. So I'm looking after Allie. Allie went to puppy kindergarten for the first time and freaked out. She was afraid of the other puppies. She tried to hide behind her mom, then when the dogs persisted, she started growling and snapping. She is only 10 pounds, the other puppies were 30 and 40 pounds. She currently lives with me and my 3 dogs (80+ pounds) plus a cat. She also visits a friend who has 2 doxies and a lab. She gets along great with adult dogs. The instructor thought that maybe Allie is used to adult dog behavior and didn't know how to deal with other puppies. Has anyone ever dealt with this before? It was really weird because Allie is the most social dog I have ever met.

[Traci]

Don't laugh, but remember your first day in kindergarten or first grade? You were apprehensive, scared, overwhelmed and probably didn't want mom and dad leaving you with total strangers.

Same for Allie. In this situation, it was an uncontrolled situation, meaning the other situations you referred to were less threatening. (i.e., less number of dogs, controlled environment, non-threatening environment, familiariity with the adult dogs)

Give it some time, I can't imagine Allie was the only dog in the group who felt or behaved that way. With each class, she should feel less threatened, and should become accustomed in no time at all.

[davet]

Traci, you gottas figure, she has never had a normal pet since i have known her...the most recent being her cacatiel or whatever bird parading around in a towell card board roller and being pround of that fact.

[Traci]

Oh, well in that case, I suggest a psycho-doggie-analysis class.

AM, you know I'm kidding...right?

Or am I?

[Amandasmom]

Traci, you gottas figure, she has never had a normal pet since i have known her...the most recent being her cacatiel or whatever bird parading around in a towell card board roller and being pround of that fact.

This is what he means and I don't think it's odd. It's intelligent. A bird using common household items as jewelry.



By the way, I cried my first day of kindergarten.

[k9Karen]

Beautiful bird. Did it 'make' the jewelry all by his/herself? If so, that is intelelligent - that's one way to keep a draft off the back of your neck!

A suggestion for the puppy. Is the class somewhere where she can be taken when there are no other dogs there? Maybe she could be taken and allowed to sniff and play and get a few treats. If she's familiar with the surroudings, it may not be so overwhelming next time.