Puppy parties??? Puppy mayhem more ilke!!!

I arranged to take my new girl to a puppy party to get her used to other dogs and introduce her, in a controlled environment, to other pups.......

SB I know I know but I did check after your advice

I am so cross, after seeing advice on here earlier this week I went into the vets and asked about the party she was booked on to make sure it wasn't a free for all they assured me at the vets they have a very clear structured way of introducing the dogs and making sure it is a positive experience for all the puppys!! They showed me all the plans for each session and what we should get out of the party each week Ha I don't think so!! Everyone let their puppys off, a huge bulldog made a beeline for Keira so she hid under the chairs, I am no shrinking violet so will say what I think and I was furious, after being assured this would not happen and that only puppies in between the 1st and second vaccination would be there I asked the vet what was going on?? 'well the bigger dogs are in their last couple of weeks, they'll fight it out amongst themselves!!!'

I don't think so, I insisted that the very young pups be separated as there was no way I wanted Keira leaving there after cowering under a chair!!

Eventually it was a nice session but only because I stuck to my guns, the room next door still sounded caotic as the large 20 week old bulldog was charging around growling at all the other dogs! the other 2 dogs with Keira were fine and she was nice and calm when we left, needless to say I will not be going back I just wanted to make sure she was calm and happy when she left but I will be ringing tomorrow to complain, I wonder how many people are going to these, leaving while their dog is terrified and wondering why their poor pups are scared to death of other dogs!!!

Grrrr

Sorry to rant but it really made me very cross xx

Oh dear, but unfortunately I am not surprised, hence my post on another thread urging caution...............

I actually agree with John Rogerson that puppies are better off being socialised by older dogs in general.........


Unless these sessions are organised by those who understand the purpose of such events, and the caveats that need to be employed, it can be, as you have found, a somewhat less than positive experience for all.

Totally agree, they really sounded like they knew what they were doing though, luckily I don't shy in a corner and say something later so I managed to turn it around and she came away quite happy but I know how easily it could have been a total diaster, all the advice I've had has been invaluable though as thats how I knew to not allow her hiding under the chair continue.... so cross and I will be telling them tomorrow, I think taking her to a park letting her go, crossing my fingers and hoping for the best would turn out better than that!! The advice has also helped as without it I would have thought this was how it was supposed to be and that they'd get better over time, thank goodness for dogsey members.. thank you xx

Oh what an awful experience. No wonder you are very cross I would definitly put a complaint in. It is such a shame that you had a bad experience, if done right it can be a good experience. We took Poppy to the puppy parties at our vets, and it was very much a controlled environment and they used all of the rooms, so that dogs could be kept in separate spaces if need be. Ground rules were set at the start - for us humans anyway! It really was good for both her and me as an owner as I learnt a lot. My problem now is that the vets is the one place I cannot control Poppy as well as I normally can, she gets so over excited when we get to the car park and all obedience goes straight out of the window.

I hope Keira is ok

She is fine thanks it wasn't even clear the party had started let alone set ground rules! x

What a shame. We took Poppy to puppy party at our vets. They were very well organised and informative with lots of helpful training tips and advice and free samples. I think there were 8 pups in our group. All the pups in the group started at the same party and those same pups went to 4 parties, one a week for 4 weeks. It was half play and half advice /talk. At playtime the smaller breed pups were allowed to play together first and then the bigger breed pups. If the little ones were brave enough when the bigger ones were playing they could join in. Anyone being too rough had to sit out for a minute before being allowed back into the play. All the pups became the best of friends. The smallest was a little terrier cross and the largest was a great dane.

Oh I am sorry that is rubbish
and saying that the bigger pups just had to fight it out
yuck!

They dont have puppy parties as such over here. But I did hear yesterday of a dog school in Caen (my nearest large town) that does this sort of thing at the start of every training session, they do it to let the dominant ones sort it all out wtf, what a way to do things and its very expensive 460€ for 10 sessions, in france beleive me that is expensive.

Lovesgsds so good that you managed to turn things around and didnt leave the party with a quivering wreck of a dog. I would have been extreamly angry thats for sure.

totally agree with all these points

i agree with john rogerson too

This sounds a recipe for success!

Hmmm, let us take one inexperienced owner, add one very pushy dog/breed, combine with lots of OTHER inexperienced owners, plus shy pups, wait for 6 months and voila, one dog thug, one out of their depth owner and several fear aggressive, timid canines.

I would pay for that...................