huski Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Most people are pretty good when I take my pup out. I get a lot of questions about what she is being trained for and 99% of the time if someone says something, it is something positive like 'what a clever puppy' 'wow she has great focus on you' 'she's so well behaved etc'. For some reason (perhaps the breed) I hear parents telling their kids as they walk past "you can't pat that puppy, it's being trained" lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Better Late Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) I've been wondering this myself recently as once my reactive girl is fine with other dogs I plan on getting a pup to do competitive obedience with, as well as potentially some therapy work. I live in a country town where I don't really know anyone and that suits me fine, but I would still take the pup out to places like cafes/shopping centres/train stations/playgrounds etc. For me while its about socialisation, its also about desensitisation and neutralisation - I want my pup to get used to different things happening around him/her but to not put any value on them. Its just a thing thats going on/train thats at the station/sliding door closing...no big deal. So even while there would be lots of people around I wouldn't necessarily be interacting with them, unless it was on my terms. Like Sunny suggested above, if a child wanted to pet my pup and asked their parents and myself for permission, I'd use it as an opportunity to teach the kid how to interact appropriately with a small pup and what to do/not to do etc. I have a lot of friends that would jump at the chance to meet my current dog and any potential future pup I get, but because of their behaviour and my current girls reactivity, I just wont allow it. They don't listen and seem to think they have some magic wand that will make my dog like them instantly, so their visiting privileges are non-existent. If you were near me I'd totally help you out! Going to be in Melbourne any time soon? :laugh: Edited June 22, 2015 by Better Late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Agree with everyone else - get out there with one pup at a time and spend 15 minutes to a half hour sitting outside a busy place where they will smell and see and hear lots of things that they won't see at home. Take each pup out at least twice a week until they are fully immunised. It is really worth the effort. A towel or mat for pup to sit on, just to be on the safe side. Some people will approach and ask for a pat, some will not. It's not impossible that you may even meet people that might become friends. It can happen when you least expect it. I would avoid parks and places where people usually bring their dogs, you don't want some random idiot dog giving your pup wrong impressions, especially with a terrier. The exception to that is a decent puppy school or show training class. Of course, you either take only one pup (at a time) or ask in one of your circles of aquaintances if anyone would like to handle a puppy at puppy school with you. (You might just make some dog lover's day!) It is not essential for them to have interactions with safe strange dogs at this time, more important for them to safely experience a lot of different things so that when they are fully immunised and can meet new dogs they have a flexible set of experiences behind them. But if you can give them safe dog meeting/playing time it is icing on the cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Are you in the ACT Sheridan, or am I confusing you with someone else? If you are I have a just turned 12 month old large breed dog who has a pretty good energy around other dogs. Happy to offer her up for a meet and greet to add to your list of strange dogs met. Can't help with babies or the elderly though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks, Diva. Have sent you a DM. Today, Bunny and I went to a shopping centre where she had her first ATM experience. Then we went to my work where she met sliding doors, elevators, and lots of people. She was fairly subdued because she gets a bit car sick. This afternoon Roo and I went to a school. We missed school finishing by about ten minutes but he met several children and teachers. We also went to a shopping centre where he met a couple of people and heard some kids shrieking and shopping trollies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 That's perfect socialisation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 That's perfect socialisation! Yep, sure is! Lots of treats for puppies, so they associate all the new experiences with good times. :) .Bummer about the car sickness, sometimes a gingernut biscuit will help that if you don't have travel sickness meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Yep! Perfect! Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Today we went to a Turkish place for yummy coffee. Tomorrow we're going a little further afield hopefully but we're aiming at another school trip, too. This afternoon, we were all so exhausted that we fell asleep on the couch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Love it when a cunning plan comes together. You and the puppers are obviously doing great . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Wheaten currently sobbing in a crate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 Yesterday, the pups and I went to a busy yummy mummy-style cafe. It was next to a lawned area where kids were kicking a ball around. Bunny was most intrigued. Roo ignored most of it. They were very well behaved, which does not reflect the terrors they are at home. Today we went to visit someone with an adult kerry blue. Roo, no fear at all. Bunny was quite frightened but she is at that fear stage. It took some time for her to come around but there was polite bum sniffing by the end of it. We start puppy school this coming week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Yesterday, the pups and I went to a busy yummy mummy-style cafe. It was next to a lawned area where kids were kicking a ball around. Bunny was most intrigued. Roo ignored most of it. They were very well behaved, which does not reflect the terrors they are at home. Today we went to visit someone with an adult kerry blue. Roo, no fear at all. Bunny was quite frightened but she is at that fear stage. It took some time for her to come around but there was polite bum sniffing by the end of it. We start puppy school this coming week. Doing everything right! These pups will be a credit to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Yesterday, the pups and I went to a busy yummy mummy-style cafe. It was next to a lawned area where kids were kicking a ball around. Bunny was most intrigued. Roo ignored most of it. They were very well behaved, which does not reflect the terrors they are at home. Today we went to visit someone with an adult kerry blue. Roo, no fear at all. Bunny was quite frightened but she is at that fear stage. It took some time for her to come around but there was polite bum sniffing by the end of it. We start puppy school this coming week. Doing everything right! These pups will be a credit to you! +1 And had to laugh at the well behaved out, terrors at home. Bit like some human youngsters too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Thought I'd update. Miss Bunny went for her first walk as a big vaccinated girl. Just around the block. She was uncertain but she focussed on me and got lots of treats. Tomorrow we're walking with another dog and Sunday, we're hopefully going to a dog show. Roo and I have started puppy school. He's being fairly blonde at the moment and takes much more time to get things than Roo does. Yesterday we went to Pet Barn, Best Friends and Lincraft, the latter of which had the staff fawning over him. It was his trim to visit my work today, too, and he basked in adoration. Edited July 2, 2015 by Sheridan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogie Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 I love this thread Sheridan, thanks for sharing your adventures with the pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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