My dog doesn’t socialize

[Laura E]

Hi:

I adopted my dog 4 months ago. He was rescued from the street in April, 2008 completely blind. He was very aggressive and afraid of everyone.

After the operation and a lot of patient and walks he is a nicer dog; but he just doesn’t know how to relate to other dogs. Every time a dog gets close to him he tries to run away, and because I walk him almost always with the leash he tries to hide in my legs and I end up completely tangled and immobilized. If the other dog doesn’t come around my dog completely ignores her.

I would like my dog to play with other dogs but I don’t know what to do. I take him in the weekends to a dog park, he is very happy running around but when a dog gets near he just starts running for his life. He doesn’t let any dog to sniff at him, and if he can’t avoid having someone near he just sits down protecting himself completely paralyzed besides me.

People have told me to have patience, but I think that only with patience things aren’t going to change. What can I do?

By the way, he was rescued when he was about 8 months old, no one knows if he was born with cataracts or if the appeared in his early life.

Thanks.

[gjrupert]

Hi, I have no tips for you, but wanted you to know that I rescued an abused dog last year and he had zero socializing skills. I felt so bad for him because he just didn't know how to interact, let alone "play" with my other 2 dogs. I can't say "how" it happened, but here a year later, he loves his brother & sister & actually initiates play. I think it was mostly just becoming comfortable and feeling safe. Thanks for rescueing and just give love & patience - Good luck!

[Laura E]

Originally Posted by gjrupert

Hi, I have no tips for you, but wanted you to know that I rescued an abused dog last year and he had zero socializing skills. I felt so bad for him because he just didn't know how to interact, let alone "play" with my other 2 dogs. I can't say "how" it happened, but here a year later, he loves his brother & sister & actually initiates play. I think it was mostly just becoming comfortable and feeling safe. Thanks for rescueing and just give love & patience - Good luck!

Thanks, it's good to know that someone else has the same problem. I can just have one dog because I live in an apartment with two cats, and we can't take any more animals. I'll try to find some dog near so they learn to play.

Thanks.