Working dogs playing with other dogs

I am interested to know whether those of you with working dogs, e.g. working trials, schutzhund, are happy to allow those dogs to run with/play with other dogs.

I know one view is that such dogs should view you as the source of all things good, and the centre of their world, and that by allowing them to find out what fun it is to play with other dogs, they are not so focused on you/their toy.

Also, those of you who do allow your dogs to play with other dogs, do you find that their focus on you is still very good, or do they become more easily distracted by other dogs at trials.

In a similar vein, do you allow your working dogs to be fussed over by 'strangers', and have you noticed them to be distracted by 'strangers' if you do?

Cheers!

Well firstly I would call working trials and schutzhund dogs as "sport" dogs not working dogs

I have working dogs - ie working sheepdogs and they run and play with my German shepherds without any problems. They are still VERY focused on their sheep work.

We don't get many strangers up here (we live in the wilds LOL) but the working dogs are as happy to be fussed as the pet dogs and it certainly doesn't change their focus on their work.

I guess working sheepdogs are a different kettle of fish to sport GSDs though?

You sound as though you have been watching some Leerburg dvds?

my working dogs mix with my pet dogs and with the rest of my family.
They are also happy to be around other dogs, and it doesnt have any effect on their relationship with me.

I think it depends on the character of the dog and the way it views its handler

Moobli - Yes, sorry slip of the tongue - I guess you are right about them being sport dogs. I would have thought like you that sheepdogs are different in this regard to sport gsds or other breeds.

5dog - Could you expand a little on what you mean by the character of the dog and how it views its handler. I think I know what you mean but would be interested to see if we are thinking along the same lines. What kind of 'work' do your dogs do?

My Dogs Are Obedience dogs, they DO mix & play with Other Dogs, But are STILL more interested in me. However Before & after training i ALWAYS make the game with me.

If i did have a dog that was distracted by other dogs outside the ring (flynn went through this stage when he was just under a year old), Id stop "showtime" friends for a while.

Id Never Stop interaction all together , because i believe a dog is a dog & WONT preform to his best ability if not a stable doggy dog.

If my dog became moe interested in other dogs than me, that tells me theres something ALOT wrong with my training!

My dogs are working terriers, but they are DOGS first. I would never dream of stopping them being a dog, interacting, playing and socialising with their own kind "in case" what I wanted to do with them suffered.

Thanks for the replies. Moobli - never seen a Leeburg vid in my life just talking to another trainer. I have been on the Leerburg website though and see that he doesn't let anyone pet his dogs. There is a mass of info on his site, but it is very much pick and choose with me, as some of it is a bit extreme . . .

Aaaaaaaw

Yes my dogs play off lead with others.. yes I let strangers pet my dog..
No it has made no diff to them when working.. that said.. I would also say... there more sports dogs.. I dont compeat with the ones I have at the moment,, I havent done any competition since royce died,.

In our area there are 2 people I know with working gun dogs
one lets his run and play with other dogs, they wait till he tells them to go play and come back as soon as he calls them because the other dogs are fun but he is more fun

another guy dosent let his dogs play with other dogs, they spend most of their time trying to escape and play - and when they do they LOVE playing - cos its the forbidden fruit

- the 1st guy is a far better handler and his dogs are so happy