Duke is a terrier mix who is about 9 months old. When he and his brother (Bean the Beagle) started puppy classes with us, he really struggled with other dogs, both on and off leash. He couldn't understand the body language other dogs gave and would react in-appropriately. The 2 puppies attended preschool and are now doing great in their 2nd level of puppy agility. Duke is gaining his confidence and learning that he doesn't have to react to other dogs. We worked him with a particular dog who would respond appropriately to Duke's behaviors. Having him with an adult dog who would not react and would model appropriate behavior allowed Duke to begin learning how to read and respond to other dog's body language. Duke had a great time in the boarding playgroups he was recently in. In agility, he is staying focused on his handler and is not reacting to other dogs in his class. His family has done a great job working with both Duke and Bean. We have no doubt he will continue to be sucessful with these types of experiences.
In the picture below, Duke is the black dog at the bottom very appropriately greeting Pattie, another of our boarding guests. Bean is the smaller beagle staning on the opposite side of Pattie. Pattie also struggles with reading other dogs. She is not always comfortable in group settings, having been bitten by a dog in the past. But having the right dogs around her, she is learning to interact and play more each time she visits.
