Puppy socialisation

[Shouldof]

Hi all

I am collecting our 8 week old miniature schnauzer puppy on Saturday, this will be our first dog.

I am aware of the need to socialise the pup in a variety of situations, including being around other dogs and the importance of the period up to 12 weeks.

I have looked into puppy socialisation parties/classes locally and the ones i have found aren't running their next sessions until pup is already over 12 weeks and will be vaccinated and out and about to start the puppy training classes I have already booked.

I will be taking him out in a puppy sling before that to experience a range of things but I am concerned that being in the sling rather than on the ground will mean its not very effective.

I hoping someone experienced will be able to tell me either that in the sling will be fine or that the socialisation he will get at puppy classes from 14 weeks will be fine.
.
If not, any suggestions? I may be over thinking this as a first time puppy owner...

Thanks

Watching with interest, as we hope to pick up out mini in 3 weeks !

You are a week ahead of me - we are getting our golden retriever puppy a week on Monday! I am planning just to take him everywhere with me in my arms (puppy sling? maybe I need one of these!) - to the school gate everyday, to collect my youngest from nursery, into town, to the train station, to meet older puppies (luckily I have a friend with a very calm 9 month old labrador), to see all the people I want him to be comfortable with, to see my sister in law's cat, out in the car lots……..then plan to do it all over again once he can go on the ground!

Little peas yes that's pretty much my plan too, I'm just being neurotic about getting it just right and raising a contented and happy pup. Also I have read that miniature schnauzers can be really barky toward other dogs and was hoping good early socialisation would minimise this.

The sling was just because I need to be able to have both hands free on the school run. There are a few available on amazon, I can't vouch for mine as it hasn't been used yet but looks comfy and sturdy.

I would not wait until 14 weeks

Do be aware that socialisation is to make sure your puppies always have positive associations with situations. So do control the socialsiation carefully

Mutty nutty, what do people do pre vaccination when there are no socialisation classes available before then do you know? Lots of people must find themselves in this position and I must be being dense.

I lived next door to a family with 2 miniature schnauzers growing up and they were really barky (with unfamiliar people too), so I do see your point there. Do you have many friends/relatives with dogs whose vaccination history you know? I am going to hang out with my friend's lab quite a lot and also my sister's dogs (a fair bit nuttier than the lab - I did a whole post worrying about them……). I don't really know anyone with much older adult dogs though, just older puppies, so that is something that I am concerned about.

To be clear Mutty he will be out socialising before 14 weeks, he should be ready to go out on the ground at 12 weeks if he follows the vax schedule I was told.

Little peas, my closest friend has a dog that I know does not have a complete vax history so she's out, there is another friend with a 2 year old cocker i could ask...

It is a compromise.

I will always weigh up the risk but I always get puppies socialising with calm, well behaved, vaccinated dogs before their vaccinations are complete.

I have numerous dogs at home so the puppy will be "at risk" from meeting and being in contact with dogs etc anyway. It is a risk analysis situation and in my circumstances this is the best for me.

I don't like puppy socialising classes as it encourages puppies to interact inappropriately but I do encourage dog socialisation often in the early days with a new puppy.

Thanks Mutty. Appreciate your advice.

Ive just realised I am being dense and I can actually think of someone else who could bring their mini round assuming vax up to date, although this wouldn't be frequent arrangement, more a meet and greet.