Max's first physical socialization encounter with dogs

I had always believed that Max never had an opportunity to socialise with other dogs, humans and environment when he was a puppy before I found him. He was merely 2 months old when I took him in. I guess he was separated from his mother at a very early stage of his life. At home here, he had to be taught a painful lesson on social hierarchy manners by Jon. Max does not know how to differentiate between hostile and friendly dogs. He will readily approach dogs which fiercely bark at us from their houses. Dog behaviorists say that a senior dog in the household would be the role model for the newly arrived younger dog, but this theory does not apply to Max and Jon. Jon is anti-social to all dogs. Over time, he has tolerated Max's presence, but will never play or interact with him. In effect, Max has not learnt anything about the canine world from Jon.

A month ago, I temporarily brought in a puppy home, which was one of six puppies born to Teri - a Wire-Haired Terrier. Being a male, this puppy was very dominant. I figured it would be enjoyable for him - and educational to Max - if they interacted with each other. It took less than ten minutes for them to warm up to each other. Initially, Max had no idea of how to begin, but the hyperactive puppy made the ice-breaking process easier.

It did not take much time for these two dogs to playfight.  The duration of sessions were not short. That is because the puppy had all the energy in him. There were occasions that Max avoided the puppy because he was exhausted.

The puppy was with us for one week until someone adopted him. On the first night when he was gone, Max was depressed and listless. For three days, he would come into the house and sniff at the cage, as if hoping the puppy would appear.

Nevertheless, it was an important event for Max, as it was his first physical contact with a dog.