Socialization ideas for puppies!

[Dar]

Where are you in Ontario?

When we got our toy fox we used Jan Morgan she runs a class called positive puppies and loved her and to this day Freckles is still one of the best trained of my dogs

http://www.pawsitivepuppies.com/meetjan.html

Jan is in the Durham region.. Ajax and Oshawa

 

[taraann81]

Quote:
This is exactly vvhat I meant except perhaps you vvorded it a bit more clearly. Its the socialization vvith other people and dogs(besides our immideate family and our ovvn dogs) that I vvas referring too.

It seems vve are forced to keep our dogs out of great socialization activities at the very time they need them most. (I am sure their socialization needs our similar..if not less so the bullmastiffs, the other breed I have). But being LARGE dogs I do understand just hovv important it is socializing her vvith strangers/other children/people in vvheelchairs/on bike /skateboards...and just about any other scenario you can think of.

I vvill have a day vvhere people can bring there kids over..to see and play vvith the puppy. But vve don't live near anybody vve knovv(half hour avvay or so) so its not feasibnle to have people coming over regularly enough to really benefit Addy in the next 4vveeks...

 

[taraann81]

Quote:
Too far. I'm near Chatham...Right inbetvveen London and VVindsor.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I'm talking about human socialization... with strangers and meeting them in strange situations.. etc..
Not about home situations...
All the stuff you described is what most people do with their pups at home. I get that..
But MY concern is human stranger socialization... and i think that between 8-16 weeks its VITAL to expose your dog to those "stranger" stiuations... which you CANT do if you cant bring the dog out of your yard until they are 13 weeks old...
Gah... confusing.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Car rides around town on a Friday night?

 

[Redyre Rotties]

My puppies are 10 weeks and will have their second vaccine tomorrow. They won't go out and about until after the 3rd one at 13 weeks. We do as others have mentioned. We have lots of visitors here, from kids to older folks. They play all around in the house, hear the TV, washer/dryer, vacuum cleaner, normal human life. They are worked with individually each day on fun clicker play/training on how to stack, and basic obedience, attention, eye contact, recall.

They have a large outdoor play area that is on a solid surface so that I can keep it disinfected. I keep a wide variety of different toys for the puppies with them in this outdoor area. Things to chew, tug, chase, push, climb on, under and over. They also have a crate with a cushy bed in it where they nap during the day. I am in this area playing with the puppies several times each day, working on encouraging carrying, tugging, return with toys for play, recall, eye contact, etc.

My puppies do not touch grass or go out into public until 15 weeks. It has not been an issue for a number of puppies which I have raised in this manner.

At 15 weeks they will begin going out every single day to ride in the car, and visit a number of local businesses that have always welcomed me and my dogs to come in and play/work/socialize. They will also begin going to handling and training class one night a week to socialize in a dog-show-like environment.

 

[SillyChicken]

Quote:
A pet store is the worst place if she's trying to avoid parvo.... great if the dog's imunizations were up to date... but the risk of parvo is too high.

Also, Parvo can be tracked in on peoples shoes etc... so even if dogs don't frequent an area, if people do, your dog can still get it.

If you have alot of friends, invite them and their kids over for play dates (only those you know take care of their own dogs) Take off shoes etc at the door!

 

[welsummerchicks]

I don't feel my pups miss anything other than getting sick, by missing 4 weeks of hobnobbing around with humans transporting the viruses, OR dogs shedding or transporting the viruses.

First, many people have dogs that are actively shedding either virus without knowing it.

Second, some who have sick dogs at home would be perfectly happy to come over and play with my pup since theirs are so sick and they can't play with them.

My friends who work for vets or visit many homes or stables in a day (farriers, trainers) are also likely to transport the virus. Any spit or other bodily fluids of a dog can transmit the virus.

 

[arabianequine]

We have always taken our saint out from day one.....8 weeks. She is and was small enough to hold. We took her into the local feed store....not pet store and home depot allows dogs too.....you can invite people over to your house, anytime someone comes over she gets to see them mailman, ups, pud meter reader, guy that delivers our hay, if you are selling something or having something looked at on your property take the pup out and let them see whos there and the person will pet her cause they can't resist petting a puppy. Carry the dog every where when out at young age though. Only let them down to use bathroom at your place or a other known protected place like your parents house or make short trips.

We did this till she was too big to carry and then she was protected and we still take her in all these places on a leash now at almost 11 months old.

Invite people over.....take the puppy places that allow them but hold the puppy.

Yes I am sure they could have something on their hand but I am sure a lot of things could happen....what if.

Usually these things that can be given to dogs are on the ground/floor and carried on people shoes.

 

[Thunder Bay Chicken]

Hi

If you are willing to drive to London Ontario I HIGHLY recommend PETS PLUS! It's awesome... training done by Lynda and Doug Hamilton! We have taken many of our dogs there... for different levels of social and obedience training.
They are in the North part of the city... Hyde Park area. The puppy class is all about fun... EXCELLENT PEOPLE AND TRAINERS! Who really love dogs and working with them.
I have seven dogs... ALL TERRIERS...