Can a puppy be too friendly?

willemseven · #1 10-15-2008, 07:59 AM

Pepper (now 11 weeks) and I live in the city so being outside on a busy city street was a necessity from the first day she came home. Blessedly, Pepper has little to no fear issues (even with cars and very noisy trams...and large dogs) and she's super friendly with all.

However I'm beginning to wonder if she's perhaps too friendly. Since she is that cute and adorable, people naturally want to stop and say hello and pet her (sometimes a challenge when the point of being outside is "business"). She also goes up to perfect strangers, tail a-wagging, wanting to be petted.

Corrections (a gentle tug, "come" command or whistle -- we can't meet everybodyon the street) usually results in a sit strike or a major tugging match. (And I sometimes get the feeling that she would rather go home with a perfect stranger than hang out with me.)

Is it possible for a dog to be too friendly? Or is this a stage that she will get over once we've made a bit more progress on the obedience front and her attention span increases?

Thanks in advance for thoughts/advice/etc.

kathysboxer · #2 10-15-2008, 02:40 PM

Tyson is 9 months, and is everyone's friend. In all the time we've had him, 6 1/2 months, there was only 1 person he actually didn't like. He was barking, growling, hair standing up on his neck and back. He really didn't like this kid. It was BF's son's friend. Never have I seen Tyson like that. Not even since then. Sorry I don't really know the answer to your question, but I'd like to know also.

Caney Creek · #3 10-15-2008, 04:50 PM

She is still VERY young at 11 weeks, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. In fact, I would tend to worry if she was showing signs of aggression or shyness at 11 weeks, instead of being friendly and outgoing, which indicates a good temperament. The whole pulling your arm off to get to the other dog/person, that will get better with age, as long as you continue to socialize her, train her, and give her plenty of exercise.

Also, friendliness towards [unthreatening] strangers is a boxer trait, and a common thing that we boxer owners worry about -- one of our babies getting scooped up by a dog-napper. I know a lot of us here have our dogs microchipped, and are very careful about where we leave them unattended. You probably wouldn't be leaving your pup alone on a busy street though

So... the friendliness will never stop, but the attention span will get better, as will the willpower to listen and obey your commands instead of jerking you towards a new face.

laurelheebsh · #4 10-15-2008, 07:56 PM

I always say that I have a "people-dog"--when we're playing with other dogs and a new one comes over, Duke greets the dog and then goes to hang out with the new people! And he's 10 years old. Apparently just another of the Boxer traits we all know and love!

daizysmom · #5 10-16-2008, 09:19 AM

Daizy is often the same way. Wanting to say hello and be loved on. The only problem we have is if they squat down to pet her she thinks her paws belong on their shoulders! This usually isn't too bad if it's a boxer lover, but it's not so great for my 90 year old grandpa!

Gen G. :) · #6 10-16-2008, 09:38 AM

I'm sorry I don't have much advice to give regarding her 'overfriendliness', but I wanted to say that Pepper is an adorable puppy (and I sure understand why everyone on the street wants to per her)! I love her name, too

And the pic of her with her pop is very cute!

suzyqdogsmom · #7 10-16-2008, 11:13 AM

I have had dogs who were quite unfriendly and did not want strangers petting them, that can be a challenge too, especially in a big city. I think Pepper's friendly attitude probably won't change, but as she matures and you train her more seriously, her actions will. SuzyQ is very well trained on her leash, she walks through crowds and pays little attention to either people or other animals (that takes a while as she is naturally very friendly and boisterous). But if anyone approaches and asks if they can pet her, she is very happy to oblige and be loved on especially by children. It's amazing how many people stop us. It just takes a lot of training and patience. At Pepper's young age and energy level she has a response level that will change some with maturity also. Although in some respects SuzyQ is as goofy as she was at 12 weeks. I love her picture, she is beautiful.

SweetCody · #8 10-17-2008, 01:20 PM

I too want to say that Pepper is just beautiful. It really looks like some one sprinkled pepper on her little head. Anyway..... I think that time and training will solve most of your problem. And it really is a good thing to have a friendly dog rather than and unfriendly dog. As she gets older she will get calmer, not by much but there is still a huge difference between a boxer puppy and a boxer adult. She will also know her commands and for the most part will follow them, making things easier on you. Good luck with your little Princess (that is what I call my baby girl as well) .

willemseven · #9 10-22-2008, 08:08 AM

Thanks All. Wisdom and shared experiences are much appreciated (as are compliments -- I swear she gets cuter every day). :-)

She stubbornly refuses to belief that not all dogs really want to play. With one friend's dog, we nearly came to blows (after she ignored both growls and teeth: we have allower her some "negative" experiences in the socialization process, she has to learn somehow). If any consolation, she seems to be getting the no-I-don't-want-to-play message a bit quicker than before.

SweetCody · #10 10-22-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willemseven

She stubbornly refuses to belief that not all dogs really want to play.

My Cody got attacked about two months ago by a coyote I believe, we didn't see what got him but it was something bigger than a fox, and all the big dogs in my neighborhood are all kenneled, so that is why we think it was a coyote, we have a lot in this area. Anyway..... I know that Cody just went up to it and probably started to jump and make his little growl noises, and lord knows he might of even started to "box", long story short, not everyone wants to play with Cody and he still has a hard time accepting that, he just turned two.