I think it is great, and i always allowed dogs to teach Jake when he was a pup... they teach each other about that a lot better than we can!

I think it's the perfect way for a pup or newbie in the house, to learn the rules.

Of course, some bad habits may be picked up too, but in the main, I think it's brilliant.

- No idea - don't do kids

Will see how he carries on....the testosterone is beginning to kick in methinks...I think he may even cock his leg before he hits a year

I use Siren and Gabe for aggression cases - both are really chilled and will not make eye contact etc.

- I don;t really mind much what other people think - I know what works for me and my guys and what works for my clients. I just wondered what other people did or if they stopped that kind of interaction.

The criticism came as Trip has drawn blood a couple of times, now - I either Stop Zeff from interacting with Trip - or I allow her to continue to interact and teach him, usually she is very good, but occasionally if she gets very cross she will graze his nose or put a little tooth hole (never looking at a Vets bill).

I have no issues with it happening - and it does seem to be teaching Zeff how to be gentle.

Oh - a few holes, he'll live, it's just people who live their lives in bubble wrap that worry about that kind of stuff.

Louie's drawn blood with Sadie before, and Sadie's owners cat has drawn blood on Louie - he doesnt go near it anymore - My "Leave it" command didnt work so the cat taught it him (he's good with toys and treats - animals are a different story). Benjie tried to mount Sadie - she drew blood - he doesnt do it anymore, even when she's in season (he is neutered) and she'll do the same to Louie (entire) because she's done it to males who have tried to mount her in the past. 9 years and she still hasnt gotten pregnant. (Getting her spayed soon though)

As long as you never have anything serious then whats to worry about? I mean if you didnt let Trip teach him, then he'd go full on and end up at the vets.

.....lol he wll get holes if he shoves his head in her mouth lol...like tupac does to flea...all self inflicted.. no sympathy

Indeed!! silly sod!

I use my dogs like this.

The older two can be quite firm when they need to. E;g snap/bite/pin down. It seems to work and when the other dog acts nice they are very rewarding.

Adam

I think it'd a great idea and I sincerely wish that Cain had had access o this sort of teaching when he was younger. The only socialisation he got was his brother every time he was returned to the "breeder" who was just as unsocialised and they would fight. This left Cain afraid of dogs and totally clueless about socialising when we got him. Even now he's not so afraid he is still massively struggling with acceptable boundaries and sees no issue throwing himself on and pouncing and pinning other dogs in play even though he weighs 45kg. He's never been taught how to play gently and if he'd grown up with guidance from a firm older dog I'm sure we wouldn't have these issues now. I even wish we had regular access to this sort if dog now but the only owners in the park who will let their dogs near Cain have equally young bouncy dogs who take Cain's behaviour and join in, teaching him nothing about good behaviour!!! This is something I think I can never teach him properly and I'll plough on hoping he'll pick it up from other dogs eventually.

I think it can be a good idea with the right dog, but I think you need to have a bit of understanding of doggy behaviour and body language (not a degree in it but to know your own dog and any subtle signs of stress) to make sure both dogs are benefitting from it. In your situation, my slight concern would be that you're using a dog who's still a puppy himself, and a bad experience that he's unable to handle could turn him into the same kind of dog as the ones you're getting him to 'fix'.
That being said, you seem to be sticking to smaller, younger dogs and you've realised that Trip may be too much for Zeff so you seem to have the common sense to make it work. Some dogs just seem to naturally have the right amount of firmness to teach other dogs - I've certainly never taught Kiki to, and considering we live a bit out of the way and don't see a large amount of dogs on regular walks, I was very surprised at her behaviour with Cain on our Dogsey walk and how she'd put herself between two scrapping dogs to break the situation up!
I think a bit of criticism can make us stop and question ourselves and I think that's a good thing - to never question anything could mean you're harming your dog without realising it, so the fact that you're asking shows you're not too proud to question whether what you're doing is the right thing for your dogs

I am quite happy with what I do with my guys - but I wondered if I was an exception or a general rule