Puppy socialisation before 12 weeks

[amazonianwoman]

This is what we've done/are doing so far:

• plenty of access to kids (mine & their friends)

• carrying him to school a couple of times a week - parents & kids all over him

• already been to vet

• taken him down to main road to see busy traffic

• stuff like washing machine etc - almost constant!

• now in same room as our 2 cats without too much hissing/chasing

• can I invite a friend over with her (huge) labradoodle? His vaccs are up to date.

• driving to school

• on lead in back garden

• must get the vacuum out - I'm not that house proud

• leaving him alone for around 1hr if I do the school run without him.

What else is critical at this stage?

Sounds like you are doing well.

Wouldn't meet another dog quite yet until your vacs are up to date. Dogs carry all sorts of stuff and you don't want to end up at the vet. As soon as he is up and running though a doodle is a good dog to meet - superb temperament and will be up for hours of playing! Just make sure they meet in a large space!

At 12 weeks the fear begins to develop in dogs so the more you can do before that the better.
Lots of friendly people!
Children and elderly people. (Always watch children with dogs)
Other dogs (especially if they are friendly and not too skittish!) I would introduce in your own home to a stable vaccinated dog.
Traffic ? Cars, Lorries and motor-bikes
Trains (and the station)
Bicycles
Rivers and lakes (keep an eye on them!)
Boats
Horses
Wide open fields with rabbits (to try to prevent that focused chasing)
Parks
Wild animals (e.g. squirrels, rabbits and ducks etc)
Bridges
Thunder and lightening
Vacuum cleaners, brushes and brooms
Any other noisy household appliances
Being on their own
people coming to the door and rining the bell

Ca he meet people with hats on, umbrellas etc.

Build up to him being happy to be ignored on the lead (great if you want to go to pub or a coffee).

Thanks both, useful lists. It makes sense that the fear develops at 12 wks cos at 8 wks he's pretty fearless

Minimu - are you a behaviourist or vet or something? You're a wealth of dog information

Lots of other dogs of different sizes and colours (at least seeing them in the park, even if he can't go to sniff them yet). I used to have a dog who hated other dogs that looked a bit like him, for some reason.

i was told it was fine to meet other dogs as long as their vacs are up to date. My first pup who met every dog going is great with other dogs, my 2nd who didnt go outside as quickly due to her size is terrified and its hard work changing that once its set in. I d be carrying him everywhere you go and taking him out in the car daily.

AW I am a behaviourist (only dogs though rubbish with children!)

another one that some people recommend is fireworks. I have read that exposure to them at the right age can help reduce the chance of them being terrified of them for life. (by exposure, obviously, I mean fireworks outside, dog inside)

can you find a big noisy event - that will have people, dogs, noise. we took ours to a civil war re-enactment! full of people in strange clothes, incredibly noisy. we sat close to a cannon and blimey those things are loud. dp (puppy, not partner) just slept through it! I was chatting to someone and explained that our main reason for coming was to socialise the pup. I explained that exposure to stuff at his age can avert fear in later life. the woman smiled and said "so if he ever comes across a civil war battle he'll be fine..."

also dogs whose vacs are up to date are fine. we got friends to bring dogs round.

Minimu - where are you based, just in case I need your services??

More great top tips , at the civil war.

We've picked a good time for fireworks. It sounds like downtown Beirut around here at the beginning of November.

Based in Hampshire.

If you have loads of fireworks give the pup a treat everytime he hears them and he will think they are great. do not show any concern at all most dogs will be fine.

Bit far from Manchester then. That's a shame.

Will get Halloween/Guy Fawkes treats ready

Bit far but can always catch up here. I am stuck at home with mumps(!!!! can you believe it) at the moment so MN is keeping me busy

Mumps I've never known an adult have mumps, so big hugs.

I had mumps when I was about 7 and lived on Heinz mushroom soup. It's still the only thing I can eat now when I'm ill.