[gdjfhdf]

So I tried to have a playdate with another pitbull ... rosco loved it .. however the other dog just hung onto his neck and that was it! Rosco was fine... but then later on would just grunt and growl , i hate that nasty sound!


Is it hard to introduce pitbulls to each other? What do you suggest is the best way?

[reachmanxx]

Personally I would not allow that kind of play between bully breeds. Something as simple as a look or a sniff can start a fight.

Anyways, it can be hard to introduce dogs to one another and it can be easy. Depends on the dogs. However, same sex playmates can grow to resent one another which sounds like this might be the case with your dog.

[wasssallx]

Dogs don't really need dog friends. I have two dogs (pit bull and Border Collie). They get along, but for the most part, they ignore each other. They played today with each other, but they hadn't done that in months. For the most part, they just do their own thing.

[exchpaypalgold]

My dogs play together well but again they don't need friends. If you're going to have play dates either way I'd suggest investing in a breakstick, consistently supervising and not allowing off leash.

[lXvtm0ox]

I meet up with Jazzy and her dog Veronica once a week for walks. We have been meeting up for over a month and Veronica and Socrates still haven't played off leash together. Veronica is dog reactive so in the beginning we only walked them on opposite sides of the street and slowly moved toward each other. Now she is so happy to see him, she pulls toward him all wiggly butted. We allow on leash play time after a walk and obedience exercises. Our meet ups are really more for training purposes than anything. Veronica has become much less reactive and we bring long leashes to practice sits downs and stays with the other dogs around as a distraction. We also practice CGC test items (greeting eachother without the dogs going toward eachother).

I would suggest a walk together before play time to let them get use to eachother and burn off some energy. Get break sticks and watch them like a HAWK. Be right there and prepared to separate them if need be. I wouldn't allow off leash play until they have had time to get use to each other and have played on leash for a while to be sure they will be OK. Take it slowwww.

[reachmanxx]

Brooke I'm so jealous that you can do that. I wish there was a member close by that I can meet up with to help work on Mater's issues.

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

I wouldn't be too worried about setting up doggie play dates for "pit bull" breed dogs. But if you are going to do it I'd do it how Brooke and Jazzy have been.

There are some breeds that do better with doggie companions. My sled dog mutts have a very close relationship with both each other and me. But then that type of mutt has been specifically bred for working in a team.

Scout actually freaks out if she's not with me or another dog.

They are very friendly to just about everyone, but by the same token don't necessarily need friends outside our "pack" network either.

[EjPWyPm4]

Lucy gets play dates. Usually when we visit our friends with dogs we take our dogs along.

We keep an eye on them, but with their one friend Scurvy, there's such a huge yard, they're never even near each other, unless an unfortunate deer passes by, then they turn into a pack of hunting dogs and try to catch it.

Yes we always have a break stick. And Lucy usually gets bored and hangs out with us after an hour or so... until a deer passes by.

[Kolokireo]

Brooke I'm so jealous that you can do that. I wish there was a member close by that I can meet up with to help work on Mater's issues.

You could take a trip down to maryland. You have a therapy eval on the 10th, Lily and I have one on the 7th. Let's practice! It's only a 12 hour drive, if you speed.

[reachmanxx]

LOL yeah! I wish! That would be really cool though

[Kolokireo]

Brooke I'm so jealous that you can do that. I wish there was a member close by that I can meet up with to help work on Mater's issues.

It is really wonderful. I still can't believe Brooke is so close by, that we are so in sinc with regard to how we approach our dogs...and how much Veronica freakin' LOVES Socrates!!

It is very helpful because she can be quite dog reactive; and there are plenty of situations in which I need her not to be; and of course, you can't work on reactivity without the presence of other dogs.

I like that Brooke "gets" Veronica. She understands her limitations, so she doesn't think I'm being overly cautious and we are taking things very slowly and making sure it is always a good experience for both dogs.

And where Veronica is concerned; as much as she has issues with other dogs and her interactions have to highly supervised and definitly go a certain way...you can just tell how much she enjoys being with him...it's really very good for her.

[reachmanxx]

You guys are really lucky. I wish I had someone that close. It would definitely help if I had some stable dogs around that I could have Mater interact with and help work him. It's always nice to have another pair of eyes that can pick up something that I might be missing in his training.

[Nautilus]

My dogs play together well but again they don't need friends. If you're going to have play dates either way I'd suggest investing in a breakstick, consistently supervising and not allowing off leash.

Like roxynrex said, they can't be left unsupervised, and it's very helpful to have them both on leads.

I have a 10 mo male, and a 3 mo female. as they're pups, they love playing together, and it really drains their energy. But they play rough ( especially the little female ) and need supervision.
I use their 'play time' for training too, demanding their attention during play by voice command, having them both sit, stay, crate, etc. Since I live in a city they're exposed to lots of other dogs on walks and the male is especially interested in those dogs and pulls excessively to get to them ( not aggression)...so the play training is helping me divert his attention from those random dogs and saving my arm.

I also have the male play with a friends 14 mo female pup occasionally, only because I know just what to expect of this owners behavior and agree with it, and the dog is female and I believe that may be one of the reasons they get on well.. We also us this time as an opportunity for training.

Don't know how old your dog is...If mine weren't a puppy who I feel benefits in his general behavior from his play experience, I don't know if I'd have him play with another owners dog.