Does anybody know of any doggy-get togethers at all?

I have a 9 month old rescue dog who has been beaten by men and is terrified of cigarretes- leading us to believe that he has been burnt by them. He has come on a lot in the last 3 months, but we feel that he needs more socialisation.

After speaking to a few people, we realise that formal training classes would not be best for him, as he is often nervous in new situations.

I was wondering whether anybody knew of a doggy group or similar, that just meet up in a safe area and let their dogs grow more used to situations that they arn't comfortable in. For me it would be great to see him socialising with other dogs, seen as he is still a pup. Also new people would really help as there are only 5 people that he doesn't bark at, everyone else he is scared of. I'd like him to see that new people and dogs are a good thing, and that it's not scary:hihi:.
Thanks a lot
Helen

Kira and Pee like everyone, and Kira is around the same age, we would be happy to meet up for a little walk or something if it might help? only thing is we are the other side of town, no car, and Pee seems to be a bit travel sick over much distance, but if you can get over there is a nice park and a reasonably secure field to walk in.

We can always meet @ Fox House. Nice easy stroll especially as some dogs may need/prefer to be on a lead. Tables outside the pub - and usually areas that are well isolated from prams/puschairs/noise and traffic.

I'm always up for a walk, I get a bit fed up on my own sometimes. Evie, my dog can be a bit nervous around very giddy dogs. I'm trying to socialise her too, we've only had her from Feb. When I say nervous, she wouldn't bite or attack, she goes very timid.

This sounds great! I'm hoping a few male dog walkers may come along too, to try and conquer that fear! My dog is still quite mouthy with him still being a puppy, we are trying to get him out of it, but if anyone (or your dogs!) was uncomfortable with that we would put a muzzle on him. Fox house sounds quite good and the field near moonbird. Any more suggestions? It's a shame that church halls or similar couldn't let dog owners meet up once in a while, as I'm sure that there would be many dogs who could benefit from it. My rescue is used to my other two dogs, so he shouldn't be too giddy (I'm hoping!).

I've got a runt of a cocker spaniel who is as placid as they get, but makes up for her size with her attitude. She gets on with almost every dog i know -she was brought up with loads. She likes rock climbing @ FH,and the salmon and broccoli fishcakes afterwards.

I know a group dog walk has tried to be organised in the past, not with much success. So you might be better trying to organise a few smaller ones, maybe just meeting one or two people at a time.

I walk Evie every night after work, I can get to most parks in Sheffield for around 6pm. PM if you want to arrange anything.

Not sure how Evie would react to the mouthing, we would just have to see what happened. I would say she probably wouldn't like it, knowing what she's like.

I think if the dog is nervous of either other dogs or people then it would need to be a very small group or it would be too intimidating for him, probably best starting with just one new person then adding to it, you will need to go slowly with him.
Edited to add that I am sure that Daddy Dave would be willing to help too, he loves dogs, but he would need a good talking to first as he is more giddy than Kira and Pee put together :rolleyes:

That's great everyone. I would definatley stick to a couple of people at a time max, otherwise I think it would be organised chaos! I've just got to wait for the family to get home and work out what we are doing, when (seen as it's the school holidays!) and get back to you all.Thanks for offerig everyone!

I assume this is the monster we are talking about giving him a big hug from us wont you xxx

I assume this is the monster we are talking about giving him a big hug from us wont you xxx

Got it in 1! I'll give him a big hug rom you, although he's not very well at the moment:(. He keeps on being sick and won't eat or drink. May have to take him to the vets later, although to be honest I think it's the heat that's getting to him.

Badger doesn't like people eith and i would be very worried he may bite someone, he is fine once he knows someone , he probably was never socialised but i am up for a walk

We'd happily join in on a walk but I don't think a nervous dog would appreciate my big daft GSD as he's rather excitable and wants to play with every dog he meets

Badger has no probs with dogs just people lol

oh bless him, i guess its rather difficult to totally avoid people though :hihi:

would love to come but my dogs too antisocial :( lol

oh bless him, i guess its rather difficult to totally avoid people though :hihi:


yep but i must admit he is like no other sheltie i have ever had but we do love him and there are improvements

id be up for a walk with a couple of my friendly with all dogs lurchers. anna.x.

Thanks for all your replies. Boo is very poorly at the moment.We took him to the vets last night and he had an antibiotic injection and also one to stop him being sick.
He was no better this morning when he went back to the vets so he's had an x-ray which din't show anything. His blood tests were normal apart from showing signs of dehydration so he's having to stay at the vets on a drip. Hopefully he'll be better tomorrow otherwise he's having the camera put down his throat. Keep your fingers crossed for him.

aww Helen i hope boo gets better soon

Thanks tina. So do I. He's in good hands at Peak.

Good god, best of wishes for a speedy recovery. Poor thing being so poorly in this nasty muggy weather.

We are both thinking of little monster. Get well soon Boo Boo come on your smarter than the average dog.
Love and hugs xxxxxx

Awww I'm sorry to hear about Boo, as Helly said I bet this hot weather isn't helping, I hope he is a lot better tomorrow x

Lots of good wishes for Boo to get better tonight.
Poor boy

Regarding socialisation - once he does get better - and I agree - much smaller groups with very very laid back easy dogs only until he understands more rules.

But
I think there are some flyball groups meetin at kiveton park top every saturday morning that are always open to new members (not one for Boo that one)
and there is a brilliant agility group at wickersley that meet regularly. She is really professional - has some fantastic equipment in the field and i am sure both people and dogs have a great day / night out.
It may be here that he could go and just spectate - once he gets more accustomed - but certainly not to go early on.
i hope he is better soon.

UPDATE
Boo is still being sick today and is very poorly.He is still on his drip. He's having the camera in his stomach at some point today.
We went to visit him this morning and he looks so sad, bless him.
Keeping our fingers crossed for him.
Thanks for all your good wishes.

Oh poor Boo I was thinking and hoping that he would be a lot better today, I think that there are a few sicky doggie bugs going about at the moment, 3 of mine have been sick at different intervals during the last couple of weeks, but got better after a day or maybe 2 with no further problems they weren't too sick and fairly well in themselves, except for Durham who always makes a big thing of it.

Boo's not had anything to eat or drink for 3 or 4 days, as he won't touch anything, so he's hooked up to the drip 24 hours a day.

Just had the vets on the phone,
his stomach is full of green liquid with lots of grass in it that looks as though it has been fermenting. He's drained his stomach off and put him back on the drip with antibiotics. They've taken some biopsies and sent them off for analyzing and the results will be back in about 4 days. They can't find a blockage, but they say it's obviously not a total blockage seen as he has runs at the other end! He's staying in for a couple of days on the drip and antibiotics, and if he's no better in the next few days they are going to open him up and check for bloackages throughout the intestines and digestive system. We're keeping our fingers crossed for him, poor boy.

It might cure him of his fear of men though by the end of it see as all the vets are male!

Oh blimey didnt see all this, fingers crossed boo is better very soon. anna.x.

Oh Helen im so sorry the little boy is not feeling any better, all at our end are sending him get well soon wishes and we are sending him old foster mummy and daddy hugs and kisses xxxx
Get well soon little monster xxxx

So sorry your dog's poorly Helen. Hope he's feeling better real soon. x

aww I hope he feels better soon hun send in best wishes xx

Just to let everyone know BOO HAS COME HOME!!!!:banana::clap:

He still feels sorry for himself, but is feeling an awful lot better! He has got runs as he has started eating for the first time today since wednesday evening. He is cuddled up with us on the settee now and is enjoying a cuddle:). We've got to keep a careful eye on him to make sure that he doesn't go down hill again, but fingers crossed he's ok again now.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and for the offers of meeting up. He's going to rest up this week and then I'll start getting in touch with people again to arrange to meet up for walkies!

:D Brilliant news Helen, I am so pleased that he is home I bet that all of you are too :)

Sorry I missed this - so glad he's back home!

Thats so good to hear hun give him and cuddle from me and don't forget my mate barney too XX

Thats so good to hear hun give him and cuddle from me and don't forget my mate barney too XX

How could you Tina, charlie feels left out too! lol:hihi:
I'll say hi to them all from you, but it may take a while to get round all 22 of them!

Thanks to everyone else for your well wishes. Boo has just been on the garden and come back inside with a piece of string hanging from his back side. The vet said it should shift itself within the next few days!

well give all of them one now right now:) lol
Tell Charlie I didn't mean to hurt his feelings :*

I missed this too. Sorry to hear he's been unwell, but good news that he's back on the mend. :thumbsup:

Chin up Boo, wishing you well.