Puppy Early Socialisation

[Sasha90]

Hi, 

 

I’m just wondering whether anyone has taken their puppy out in a public park prior to their third vaccinations? 
 

My puppy has had his first vaccination and is due to have his second vaccination on 30 September. I was thinking of socialising my pup early by taking him on a picnic with another pup who is currently 11 weeks who has had their second vaccination last week. 
 

Is this okay, provided both pups are on the rug on a tight leash and do not touch the ground? 
 

 

[Rebanne]

as long as you realise there is a risk, small may it be. I'm a firm believer in getting pups out and about early and am prepared to take that risk. Mind you, even going out to my front yard with a pup is risky as all manner of dogs trot past and I have no idea what they may be carrying.

[Sasha90]

Thank you! My vet said there are not many parvo cases around this area so I think we will go ahead and socialise. Thanks so much! 

[Tassie]

Good for you for checking that with your vet.   I would be making sure that the area is not one that's used by large numbers of dogs, but I have certainly done that sort of thing with pups.  Socialisation is not just meeting other pups .. the more important things in some ways are seeing and hearing the big wide world.

 

And you do know that photos of said puppy are really important .. DOLers love their puppy fixes..

[Rebanne]

53 minutes ago, Tassie said:

 

 

And you do know that photos of said puppy are really important .. DOLers love their puppy fixes..

^^^^^^^

this please

[iwanttodie3070]

I've always walked them every day since 8 weeks.

[Loving my Oldies]

Going to a park, kept on a tight leash on a blanket isn’t much fun for a lively puppy.  What about taking a puppy pen so they can at least play with each other.  I am not advocating letting them run around the park, on the contrary.  But you want them to have a good experience.  They don’t know you are trying to keep them safe.  All they know is that their owners are tense and keeping them from behaving naturally.  

 

Have fun.

[Adrienne]

Hi there,

I am a very strong advocate for early socialisation! It makes such a big difference to puppies development. The benefits of early socialisation far outweigh the risk of disease. If you live in an area with Parvo cases then go to an area that is cleaner.  And importantly socialisation does not mean getting to know other canines...its about getting to know the world and other people.

 

I start socialising my pups from 4 weeks of age in other peoples homes who do not own dogs. I start them in the community at this time also by having them in the back of my car and flipping the boot where we all hang watching traffic and collecting tickles from kind people. I will also have one under my arm at the cafe ordering coffee etc and they hear the noise of people chatting and the coffee machine hissing. From six weeks they hit the ground with a collar and leash and I take them on a little loop in my community. We do this rain hail or shine every day until they leave for their new homes. I never take them to dog parks and we stick to the pavement. These pups are accustomed to traffic noise, buses and trucks, people of all shapes and sizes, travelling in my car, being crated in my car and being alone for short periods. 

 

You can also do a lot of socialisation at home in your yard using bikes, trolleys, umbrellas, basically let your puppy be around everything you can and importantly, concentrate when you are doing this - you need to be mindful what your purpose is which is to be with the puppy when they are experiencing something novel to them. You support them by being calm and friendly to them and ensuring that people and other animals interact appropriately with them. 

 

Puppy owners please don't forgo exposing your infant pup to the world, take them eveywhere you can as soon as you get them.

[persephone]

On 30/11/2021 at 3:26 PM, Adrienne said:

And importantly socialisation does not mean getting to know other canines...its about getting to know the world and other people.

YES!!!

[Adrienne]

I will be socialising my pups in a fortnights time for around four weeks in Kenmore, QLD. If anyone wants to see what that looks like. It's an early morning thing (6:30 - 7:00). This is not for puppy buyers (no pups available for sale) it is just for show and share if you are local and interested in what it looks like when its being done properly. Don't bring your own dog if you have one (we eschew other dogs at this very early stage). 

[Amazetl]

It’s not the same as first hand experience, but there are also lots of youtube videos of puppy socialisation where they play many different sounds ongoing at different levels of volume. Some have calm music with just some scary sounds in there that’s very dim and some are quite loud sounds. You are meant to play these videos when the puppy is doing happy things such as eating or playing with toys or even napping. But not play them if puppy is crying or anxious etc. Some breeders I know do this with their puppies from the moment the pups can hear. Also getting a puppy from a breeder who has them inside with all the everyday sounds of a household and TV etc is very beneficial too. 

 

I’ve had both, one raised outside from when they were born to 8 weeks and then one born and raised inside and the differences were amazing. Also take your puppy everywhere you can from day one other than dog parks or ground frequented a lot by dogs. Carry them, put them in a trolley, etc. It’s so beneficial. 

[Adrienne]

On 30/11/2021 at 2:26 PM, Adrienne said:

From six weeks they hit the ground with a collar and leash and I take them on a little loop in my community. We do this rain hail or shine

 

On walking pups for socialisation, I will clarify here that this means a very short walk which lasts around three to 5 minutes! It is not an exercise walk (which is never relevant to puppies) it is all about being on the ground in the world and not being carried around and importantly leash training must be done first in an environment pup is comfortable in. Learning what the leash is and having positive experiences of the leash as a connection to handler (think holding hands) is essential so that when pup goes for walk on ground in the world it is happy to be on the leash, understands not to pull against it and already knows that when the leash goes on what follows is moving forward together with the handlers shoes and legs. A couple of minutes a day doing this very brief activity means a bank of positive experiences to build on. My little loop in my community is max 100m long and involves pavement, a big driveway passing through an undercroft, some low walls to walk on, and a bench we sit at to watch the world quietly. We build up to completing the loop over a fortnight and they are doing it happily and competently by 9 weeks. Completing the walk and sitting at the bench takes about 15 minutes all up for each pup and they are TIRED after. It is a big session, they are 8 - 9 weeks old by then.

 

Their new owners still need to continue on in the same fashion with as much care in their own environment and community, the bonus for them is their pup is confident and happy on the leash and noise generally and is willing to come to them.

 

And, on being carried around. This very important too. I carry my pups around for a couple of minutes every day so they are not afraid up being up high, are able to relax in the arms. And VERY importantly this starts with how to pick a pup up! If any one has ever had a pup or dog who will come when its called but only so far (just out of arms reach) it is maddening and I think is a result of being picked up in a "smash and grab" with no consideration giving to the experience for the pup in that moment. When I pick a pup up 1. I get its attention 2. I ask it to come towards me into my hand, it has to move towards me into my hand! (praise praise praise) 3. I then pick the puppy up and hold it securely. This is how I pick my pups up every single time (unless a safety issue and then I tend to push pup away from whatever, or preferably call the pup away from whatever).

 

Forget other dogs people when you are socialising, it is just not important - pup needs to learn how to be in the world with people. They are dogs already, they know how to be a dog. If you work with your pup like this above you will get the trust and bonding you need to undertake whatever you want to going forward.  design your first walks carefully, repeat and repeat in same way until everything is going smoothly - you are creating and protecting positive experiences and building confidence in your pup. Then design another walk. Then design another walk. 

 

And NEVER pick your pup up without its cooperation!