Hello!
I posted on here previously and got incredible advice - so i'm back for more!
We have recently adopted a stunning greyhound boy. He is the sweetest thing and has absolutely charmed us.
He's only been with us a week so it is incredibly early days, but i'd like some advice on socialising with other dogs so that we start on the right foot.
When he sees most dogs, he is *very* keen to get over to them. No barking, just pulling (he is usually a loose leash walker!). I'm not sure if this counts as reactive as I honestly can't tell if he's just intrigued and interested.
When he sees very small dogs, his prey drive definitely gets triggered and it's a different, more intense, reaction. All but once he has been under threshold and has still been able to be distracted with a treat (although he instantly refocuses on them!). He is obviously also on leash, muzzled, with a harness - so no worries from that perspective.
I'd really like to hear some thoughts on what we should do to get him used to other dogs.We see other dogs daily on our walk - will seeing them at a distance help him, or does he need to have some introductions? I don't think he knows they're dogs so i wasn't sure if he needed to get up and smell a few for it to click?
Currently we are in lockdown so all training classes are closed and i don't feel comfortable letting him get close to other dogs if I don't know the owner when i can't vouch for him. I have a few friends who have offered up their dogs but none of their dogs are what you'd call calm - I'm not sure if that will do more harm than good? ;-)
Are there any other ways to get them used to dogs? I don't want to flood him and overwhelm him!
Any advice is so appreciated!