Heavy wriggly pup

[Tootyfilou]

Dpup is a 9 week +3 day old golden retriever. We are very keen to socialise him as much as possible and are doing well so far. He will not be safe to walk for another 12 days ( not that I am counting ) and he is such a wriggler an weighs a ton, it's become quite difficult to hold him for long periods and this is beginning to restrict taking him out.

I would be VERY. Grateful for any advice or tips.

Dog stroller

Not a joke btw If you have a buggy you can repurpose then that would also work.

My (no longer a puppy by a long shot) rottweiler was so heavy and hated being carried...I drove him to places as much as possible so that there was less carrying involved and made the DC chum me places so they could take turns as well.

You get dog carriers, like slings, I know some people use those.

Sorry to butt in but why can't he be walked? Is it to do with vaccinations?

Yes, you can't walk them until they're fully vaccinated which is from about 12 weeks depending on which protocol the vet uses.

Ahh. Thank you.

The best way I came up with was driving to somewhere with plenty of foot traffic (but not utterly mobbed) and settling on a bench or sitting outside a coffee shop with them on a blanket on your lap. They can watch all the people going by, get used to the noise, some people will stop to say hello and you can treat them from time to time. Even ten minutes is good. You could try having a good play at home first and taking him out at a time he is sleepy.

I have in the past used an old rucksack turned the other way like Japanese tourists do. Lovely blankets in the bottom and you can sort of support the weight by folding your arms but the bulk is taken by the shoulder straps.

For our giant breed I used an old baby sling. He did get wriggly and barky in it as he grew. You could also park in supermarket car park sitting in back with pup and door open (if u have an estate). Your puppy will see all sorts there - baby buggies, wheelchairs and no doubt lots of people will want to say hello to your lovely pup. Agree with terrier above, also good to carry pup to bench in shopping centre or by a road to get used to noises and traffic. You can take chews and toys with you.

My pup wasn't able to go down outdoors until he was nearly 17 weeks old and by then was enormous with ridiculously long legs (Lurcher) and extremely fed up of being carried.

We went everywhere together and either passed him back and forth as he got too heavy or one of us found a bench and sat there with him on their lap while the other did whatever needed doing, then swapped. We also used to take him to busy retail parks and supermarket carparks etc and I would raise the boot of the car and sit with him on the lead in the boot. It's amazing how many people want to come and say hello to a cute puppy. I was amazed at how many dogs we saw on the high street in town on a Saturday and Sunday, but also at retail parks and in supermarket carparks. It also got him used to car alarms, doors slamming, screaming toddlers, puschairs, loud car stereos, revving engines, car horns and shopping trolleys.

It's even better if you can find a nice cafe somewhere where you can sit with him on your knee and watch the world go by. We found a great cafe along a canal walk that allows dogs indoors or if it's sunny, you can sit outside and socialise them to the ducks! Dog-friendly pubs are another great option.

The irony of all that carpark/boot training is that he's now perfectly happy being left in the boot of the car - loves it in fact - but yells like a banshee if I have to leave him at home. Not great over the summer months when, obviously, I can't even leave him in the car for a few minutes.

Thanks so much for all of the replies, I ordered a puppy sling yesterday as I think that's a great idea. I have been going with my family so we are able to pass the great lump around! It's just he is so wriggly it makes him difficult to hold.
Supermarket car parks are a great idea will try that this afternoon. I should make the most of carrying him as I will not be able to do it for much longer.