Advice for those with a new puppy during Covid 19 (helpful)

[StillMedusa]

Thought I'd copy and paste this from the FB Dog Training and Advice group in case it is useful.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲? 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬

If you have a new puppy there is no need to worry unduly about how you are going to socialise him/her in the current situation.

Socialising is not just about playing with other dogs or meeting lots of people. Being sociable is about being able to walk politely past people and dogs. Now with social distancing we have the perfect opportunity to take puppy out without having to worry about puppy being frightened by a boisterous “he only wants to play” dog or overwhelmed by the attention he attracts from strangers and exuberant children or conversely of teaching him that every dog he sees is a playmate and every person a new best friend.

Whether your puppy is a shy introvert or a confident extrovert you can take puppy out in your arms, a sling, in the car and find somewhere to sit and watch the world go by and eat treats and play with you.

Puppy can get used to traffic, seeing people, dogs, farm animals if you live in the country all from a safe distance and this can continue as he gets older and is walking on harness and lead or can go off lead or on a line for a run about. Try and visit as many different locations as you can during the first few weeks!

[NancySpero]

This is great, thank you. We are supposed to be picking up a puppy easter weekend and am now really worried that we are doing the wrong thing bringing a puppy home in a potential lockdown. I had a trainer and vet and a puppy socialisation plan all lined up and now I don't know if I'll be able to do any of it

[AnnPerkins]

Thank you for this perfectly-timed thread. We are picking up a poodle puppy tomorrow.

We live in a village and are surrounded by fields with horses, cows, sheep etc so that aspect of socialisation shouldn't be difficult for us. I'm concerned about getting his final vaccination though which is due next weekend.

[jinxpixie]

Actually in some ways this is a great time to get a puppy. You may have more time. Greater distance is always a win when socialising puppies.

You will be able to get a fantastic bond with your puppy and they can calmly watch other dogs and adults/children at a distance.

Another thought but what about fostering a dog (not if you are getting a puppy obviously!) if you are at home more. They would benefit from being out of kennels and you may have more time than usual to be with them.

[MrsTumbletap]

We are getting ours tomorrow and I cannot wait, I'm like a child at Christmas!!!!

What insurance do you all have? Need to get mine now.

[doggydaft]

I'm also picking up a pup tomorrow and am very excited.
Although I'm still going to work (NHS) the rest of the family are home for the foreseeable.
A bit of sun amongst a scary time

[BiteyShark]

What insurance do you all have? Need to get mine now.

Search for the threads on here for recommenced ones. Whoever you go with I recommend a life time policy with the highest amount you can afford. Check the T&Cs closely as not all policies are the same. Make sure you understand about preexisting conditions and exclusion periods because this equates to ANYTHING you see the vet for irrespective of diagnosis or claims.