back again ( the toilet training worked in 3 days yeeehaaaa!!!)

Tyler is now 4 months old n great on and off his lead, great re-call, excellent retrieve and great swimmer lol, but the trouble is he wont play with other dogs!!! every time a dog comes up to say hello he has a quick sniff then hides behind my legs!!!! even if they are another puppy!! i took him today to the rescue spaniel day (druridge bay northumberland), over 30 spaniels running around playing swimming etc. n he just sits next to me watching!!!!! what can i do to help his confidence, i try n encourage him by stroking n playing with the other dogs but he just doesnt seem bothered!!!!! confused: any ideas or help would be great!!!! just dont want to go to the run of the mill puppy classes!!!!!!!

Lots of puppies react like this, don't worry. When he gets to 6 months and is running off with all the other dogs, you will wish you had this puppy back
Don't force him, let him decide which dogs he trusts.
Does he meet any on a regular basis? One or two special doggy friends could help to bring him out of himself

Hi

So glad to hear about the housetraining, long may it continue. You may find in a couple of weeks you get the odd setback, but this is perfectly normal, juts keep on doing what you are doing!

As for the confidence, it would be interesting to know what exposure he has had to other dogs from 8 weeks old, as it sounds like he is a little inexperienced, or perhaps been overwhelmed.

Tyler is doing what I would expect from a young dog who has had limited exposure to other dogs. A young dog exploring the world, who is taking stock of what is around him.

You do what you are doing, let him hide behind you if he wishes, don't pull him out, let him feel 'safe' (and feel proud it is to you who he goes to look after him - what trust). You must remain confident and bold - feel it, think it, be it!! but don't say anything when he is looking unconfident, as you don't want to reward the behaviour, instead if he noses forward, even an inch or two, or stands up - anything positive - say confidently, 'good dog'.

Keep taking him to places where he can observe other dogs and maybe walk with someone who has a well behaved confident safe dog (side by side), which will help him feel more relaxed. When he feels 'safe' he will start to feel able (and the fact you are confident too and not anxious), to come forward too and join in. He is just a little overwhelmed at the moment, so just allow him to take it all in.

What you must not do is force, push, pull or let other dogs intimidate him, he needs to know there is no fear or threat or stress when other dogs are around.

It sounds like you are doing a really good job with your dog.

Kate

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I wouldnt worry about it, so long as hes curious when hes on lead and not shying away it will mean that he wont at least be getting into scrapes at distance.
My 8 mth year old is the same.. hes had my older dog for company since 8 weeks and has been in training lessons since 12wks with a variety of other dogs, in lessons hes keen to sniff around them unless otherwise told but out and about its very rare he will instgate play - hes more intent on disturbing the undergrowth