urgent Socialisation

A little problem with Archie:

last week at training class, we put him down on the floor and a little border terrier pup around half his size chased him around and terrorized him!

Now it seems Archie is a bit scared of all dogs, yesterday we took him to the pub and there was the sweetest little cavalier that just wanted to say hello... well Archie wasn't having any of it and decided to hide behind my legs.

I'm worried this might turn into something more serious if I don't sort it out now. I don't really know anyone with dogs so at the moment I'm just relying on meeting people with friendly dogs when we go out. The problem is I can't let Archie offlead to meet these dogs as we are outside in the street. Could this be part of the problem? Is there any other way I could do this?

whatever you do dont make a fuss of Archie when he hides behind you just ignore him

Im not sure how much more you can do as he goes to puppy classes and you are taking him out to meet other dogs Just make sure that the dogs you introduce him to are friendly. Some others here will be able to give you more advice.

what carole said dont reassure him when he hides, cos u will technically be rewarding him for it. Just ignore him.
Hes still very young, so as long as u try and keep future encounters good, you should be ok. Maybe have a word with the dog instructor to have that dog on the other side of the room.

Tuti
socialisation does not just come from being off lead-
its also becoming used to traffic, a variety of people (young/old/coloured/bearded etc), everything and anything at all that you may both come across in your everyday life (bikes/umberellas/kites/loud noises etc)

Have a chat at the vets as they may do puppy classes where he can meet other pups. Or look for training classes as soon as hes had his vaccs etc and can go out.

Dont reasure him if he looks a little worried- carry on as per norm

Tuti Agree with all the good poins made by the others, also have you read this by Shadowboxer

http://www.dogweb.co.uk/talkdogs/showthread.php?t=8050

in contains some excellent advice that may help you

hi -

Thanks for the advice all of you

Lel - he's absolutely fine with everything else, old people, young people, kids of every colour etc. Actually he pretty much loves every person he encounters! He goes on the bus quite a lot and he falls asleep, he's been on the underground and was fine with that, it's just dogs cos of that border terrier last week We are at training classes as he's already had his jabs, but the vet's don't do puppy parties or anything like that

Jenny and Carole I haven't really made a fuss of him, even going up to the other dog and stroking him and everything. I tried coaxing him out wih a treat, is this ok?

Mini thanks for the link, I've read it and yes it's a very good article if it gets to that point I will use the tips on there although he's not that shy or nervous yet, I think he just worries in case another dog starts chasing him around again lol.

I'll have a word with the guy who runs the training classes tomorrow, hopefully he'll help me out as he seems to have a magic touch with dogs