Socialization ideas for puppies!

[welsummerchicks]

I love puppy class, but I look hard to find a trainer that uses a good method.

We went to one puppy class with our 'mistake' pup who we got at 4 1/2 months, after he was fairly messed up. During the class, the instructor would boom out his explanations, and about every 10 seconds, throw a piece of deli sliced turkey at my cowering, trembling, tail-glued-to-belly dog. I have NEVER seen anyone throw a piece of deli sliced turkey so far with such accuracy. In no time, our pup was VERY relaxed in the class!

Once we were watching a puppy class where the trainer said, every time the pup didn't do something right, the handler was to say loudly and firmly, 'WRONG'.

She actually felt 'WRONG' would cognitively, be comprehensible to the dog as a general concept.

I have to emphasize I wanted to leave right away. My friend actually said, 'let's come back in three weeks and see how neurotic the puppies are getting'. I had to drag her out before she started rolling on the floor laughing. She spent most of the drive home miming how she thought the puppies would be acting in a few weeks. I encouraged her to consider that some of the pups wouldn't absorb any of it at all.

As far as the rolling on the floor laughing, I imagine such a reaction would have been viewed by the instructor with a keen sense of disapproval.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Sadie's puppy class trainer used positive methods for training.

 

[taraann81]

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She probably vvould have shouted "VVRONG"

 

[teach1rusl]

I loved puppy classes! Ours always gave "breaks" in the training with puppy playtime (just little 5 minute romps that allowed us to work on recalls as well). I looked forward to puppy playtime as much as my pup did I think. It was so fun to watch.
Also, one trainer had everyone in the class "dress up" in hats, wigs, big sunglasses, halloween masks, w/umbrellas, backpacks, etc. so that the pups would learn not to be spooked when seeing different people or people dressed differently.

 

[redhen]

Heres my problem.. (i'm getting a pup soon too)
If you get your pup when they are 8 wks old.. and they've had one set of shots...
BUT.. then you have to wait another 4 weeks for the next set of shots for them ot be "safe" in public places.... That makes the pup already 12 weeks old?
HOW do you PROPERLY socialize them then during that VERY important time if they CANT leave the house?

ETA: I know that i can socialize them at home with US... but what about other people? I think that its VERY important to expose your dogs to strangers and strange "outside" your yard situations... (learned my lesson the hard way with my mastiff.. i didnt socialize him welll enough with strangers.. he was the BEST dog with us..but wanted to eat any stranger that came to my house.. not good, and i am terrified of that happening again)
How can i do that if i cant take my pup out of the yard until they are at LEAST 12-13 weeks old.
I'm confused! (as usual)

And to the OP.. it IS very important to make sure you get that Saint socialized with strangers...

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
Thank you for the above.

I need some encouragement at this time and what a pleasent way to train a pup.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
Thank you for the above.

I need some encouragement at this time and what a pleasent way to train a pup.

 

[teach1rusl]

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Our pup was required to have three "boosters." He'd had one, and we got him another just before he started puppy class at almost 10 weeks. They accepted those shots for admittance, although we were still lacking one, plus his rabies. But we still didn't take him out to parks and stores and such. We took him to friends and families homes, and let him play with their pets, and we had them come here. That's how we handled the earlier socialization...

 

[welsummerchicks]

I wrote all the stuff you can do with your pup from 8 - 12 weeks.

We never take ours out til they have all their shots either, and we also wait several weeks after the last shot for the immunity to fully develop.

But there is so much you can do at home, that that four weeks is absolutely crammed full of rich experiences and an immense amount can be accomplished. I barely get everything done before they are ready to go out in the world, even when I'm home full time.

Running around with other dogs from 8-12 weeks is NOT what makes a dog socialize well with other dogs. What makes a dog socialize well with other dogs, is that he trusts you as his pack leader and that he can have total confidence in you. That is what the first four weeks achieves. He spent eight-ten weeks doing NOTHING BUT socializing with pups in his litter - he isn't as 'behind' in that area as many people assume.

He can have a 4 week vacation from other dog's germs in order to not die from distemper or parvo. The 8-12 week period is THE ONLY period when he can efficiently and effectively bond with humans. Use it to its fullest.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:

I said the SAME thing on another thread!


I take my pups to the park to socialize with people and other dogs, and they ride with me everywhere I go for the first several weeks. Then I leave my big dog to babysit on longer errands.