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First time taking puppy in to the real world, where did you go?

23 replies

GazingAndGrazing · 24/08/2020 22:00

I’m thinking DC sand park, not too busy with time to socialise and observe.

Or just to the local park for a sniff and wander, we will need to drive, these pups aren’t ready to trot off through the front door anytime soon!

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RedHelenB · 24/08/2020 22:20

Before his vaccinations I just bundled him inside my coat and walked with my 2 friends and their dog. He loved it and got very excited.

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Stellaris22 · 24/08/2020 22:24

Before vaccinations, carry everywhere and not allow on the floor. Afterwards, as much socialisation as you can get.

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GazingAndGrazing · 24/08/2020 22:37

We are post vacs so first time out out

I’m so used to being in in and showing pups life from our windows, now we need to have ideas about out out

They can’t come to the shores with me but we could go to the sand park, friends etc

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Girlintheframe · 25/08/2020 06:27

Any where is good. We took ours into our village centre to see cars/horses/people/lorries. Also took him to a retail park and sat with the boot open so he could look around. Pets at home, village pub, local woods, cafes. Really any where where he has a chance to meet all different kinds of people, animals, vehicles etc.
Every where you take him will provide new opportunities for him to see the world. Remember he can't walk far though.

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RedHelenB · 25/08/2020 07:23

Basically just take him everywhere with you, particularly noisier places. Mine now doesn't turn a hair with loud noise like fireworks ( came into the garden when they were all going off around us and we had sparklers) and pneumatic drills.

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AmigoDog · 25/08/2020 07:43

We take AmigoPup up and down the main road each day to get him used to traffic and busses. We have roadworks starting in a week or too so we will be taking him to watch those!
Then to the park to meet other dogs.

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Motorina · 25/08/2020 08:35

We went to the pub! Sat in the garden, let people say hello. It was great.

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RiaRoth · 25/08/2020 08:37

Everywhere you go. You also need to take them separately as much as possible. It is a busy time!

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russetred · 25/08/2020 08:52

School run is good, get pup used to lots of kids! We used to take ours from the beginning in a front-facing rucksack so she would get used to seeing lots of people even before she could go on the floor. But obvs make sure only gentle kids are doing any patting and don't let pup be overwhelmed.

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moosemama · 25/08/2020 11:46

We take ours everywhere we go well before they’ve finished vaccinations (always carrying and no contact with other dogs.)

We start out with short walks to the local park, where we sit on a bench and watchlots of children, dogs, football players, bicycles etc and pup gets lots of positive attention from passers by. We do the same in the the town centre (relatively small town, not massive city). School runs, but with two of us, so one can wait outside, while the other goes into the playground to collect the dcs. We wait across the road with the pup, so they don’t get mobbed as the children come out, as that can be as detrimental as undersocialisation imho. Park at end of school day to see children running about yelling, playing etc. Different types of walks, woods, roads, public footpaths.

We go to lots of country fairs and VW shows as well, but I guess that sort of thing isn’t really doable at the moment. The advantage of them is that there are lots of different dogs and they are all on leads and friendly, as no-one takes an anti-social hound along and there are people of all ages, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, hats, umbrellas, etc. Lots of variety.

We go to several local cafes which allow dogs, one pub that allows them inside anda couple that allow them in the garden.

We also do the retail park with boot open thing that someone mentioned up thread. We have a tailgate guard and sit on the bumper so we’re close to the pup and can reward calm, interested responses.

Local pet shop - lots of fuss and treats to be had there.

National Trust property are another good option. You can sit outside the cafe with them in most places as well.

Years ago I used to go for a short bus ride with pups, but I never need to use buses anymore, so don’t bother with that one these days. It’s good to get them used to loud buses and trucks though, so sitting at a bus stop with lots of treats on hand is a good one.

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SlothMama · 25/08/2020 14:29

First walk was the streets around our home, but then I take them to new places. I walk near schools on drop off/pick up so they see children, busy roads to get used to lorries etc, the high street, cafes, fields, the beach, pet shops, dog friendly shops.

Honestly I take them everywhere I can think of!

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AmberShadesofGold · 26/08/2020 11:06

I'd slightly change the wording here, tbh to 'as much socialisation as the dog can cope with without getting overwhelmed'.

I've seen a trend for sensitive/nervous puppies being pushed too fast, too far and ending up as nervous adults because well-meaning owners have followed advice to do as much socilisation as they can fit in.

Socialisation is not just about experiencing things - it's about having neutral/potivie experiences with them. Working within the threshold of the specific puppy you have helps support that goal.

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GazingAndGrazing · 26/08/2020 11:44

@AmberShadesofGold

I'd slightly change the wording here, tbh to 'as much socialisation as the dog can cope with without getting overwhelmed'.

I've seen a trend for sensitive/nervous puppies being pushed too fast, too far and ending up as nervous adults because well-meaning owners have followed advice to do as much socilisation as they can fit in.

Socialisation is not just about experiencing things - it's about having neutral/potivie experiences with them. Working within the threshold of the specific puppy you have helps support that goal.

Really agree. They aren’t keen on this windy weather. We have just spent 10 minutes sitting with the front door open watching life pass by.

Pup1 ventured in to the washing basket I put outside the door but pup2 preferred on my lap. They got pets and compliments from people whilst watching bikes and cars pass by.

And I’m playing YouTube clips of emergency sirens, fireworks etc really low when they are playing, baby steps
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moosemama · 26/08/2020 13:43

AmberShadesofGold Good point. It’s easy to forget when you’re used to doing it, but so important to make sure pups are kept under threshold and experiences are positive or neutral.

I was thinking about my post last night and realised, it sounded really full on. I should also have said you need to be careful not to do too much all at once and you need to remember they still need plenty of rest/sleep and not to be dragged from pillar to post all day in the name of socialisation.

GazingandGrazing I’m pretty sure the reason none of mine have been scared of fireworks or other loud noises is because we use desensitisation CDs as background noise when they’re pups.

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GazingAndGrazing · 26/08/2020 13:57

That’s what I’m doing. They have just slept through a document about lions hunting in the wild Grin

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moosemama · 26/08/2020 16:51

Grin at least you know they’ll be ok around lions now!

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RunningHoops · 26/08/2020 17:24

Everywhere. There are going to be a lot of under socialised dogs as a result of Covid.

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GazingAndGrazing · 26/08/2020 22:03

@RunningHoops

Everywhere. There are going to be a lot of under socialised dogs as a result of Covid.

It is a worry for some and our rescue we donate to is already seeing a rise which is sad.

We were on a waiting list way before Covid hit, long thought out pups we could say yes or now to.

We are only 11 weeks so lots of opps to socialise
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muckandnettles · 27/08/2020 19:16

We take our pup for a walk then we have a coffee at the cafe outdoors in the park. To start with, it was a struggle and he was crazily distracted sometimes and once even got up on the table, but now he sits or lies down and watches everyone go by and it's been transferable to other outdoor cafes. We take treats for him usually and also a drink, but he has learned to relax and settle which has been brilliant. Hoping for a pub garden soon!

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GazingAndGrazing · 27/08/2020 22:38

@muckandnettles

We take our pup for a walk then we have a coffee at the cafe outdoors in the park. To start with, it was a struggle and he was crazily distracted sometimes and once even got up on the table, but now he sits or lies down and watches everyone go by and it's been transferable to other outdoor cafes. We take treats for him usually and also a drink, but he has learned to relax and settle which has been brilliant. Hoping for a pub garden soon!

Can I ask how old?

Pup2 ventures out but pup1 is too scared so I hold him whilst another family member walks pup2
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Bunglemom · 28/08/2020 08:44

This might sound a daft question but if you take pup to say Pets at home and they need a wee or poo what do you do then? Obviously i know they cant go on the floor without waiting til after their second injections...

Only asking cus i need to start socialising my pup 😀

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GazingAndGrazing · 28/08/2020 11:09

@Bunglemom

This might sound a daft question but if you take pup to say Pets at home and they need a wee or poo what do you do then? Obviously i know they cant go on the floor without waiting til after their second injections...

Only asking cus i need to start socialising my pup 😀

I’d treat it the same as anywhere, watch him like a hawk while he checks things out and if he starts to slow down, sniff the floor, circle it’s a race to outside with a puppy pad?

I’d also only take them out once they have eaten, played, wee’d poo’s and slept in the car on the way there and offered The puppy pad before going in.

Not tried it yet though!

We spend time at home with the front door open and pup in a laundry basket - loads of people stop to say hello.
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muckandnettles · 30/08/2020 07:47

@GrazingAndGrazing we did that as soon as he had his injections done. Before that we took him out in a pushchair (pupchair?) which was brilliant and we went around the streets and to a local park.

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