Socialising pup before fully vaccinated

[NoChella]

Wondering where and how I can socialise the new puppy before her final vaccinations, any suggestions would be great please! She'll be 14 weeks at her last vacs so I want to get her as socialised as possible within this magic 'window' I keep reading about. I don't think I'll be able to trust any contact with actual dogs, but so far she's only been out to the vets with me! We're going to take her out and about this weekend with us, carrying her, but what about when she needs to toilet? Is there a risk of putting her on the ground just for a short period for her to toilet?

She can socialise with vaccinated dogs in their gardens as long as it’s fox free. Take her to Pets at Home, pass her round, go to the pub. Socialising with other dogs is overrated, you want a dog neutral dog that doesn’t run up to other dogs because that is incredibly annoying.

I made the mistake of socialising my dog too much with other dogs. I went to the vets puppy parties before vaccinations with other puppies and then to puppy training classes where it was ALL about your dog greeting other dogs. All this did was teach him he can go up to any dog and it took a long time for me to fix that .

If I could go back and do it differently I would find a couple of adult friendly dogs who had up to date vaccinations and just let them interact normally. As for other socialisation experiences getting him used to noises such as traffic was good but I wish I had done more of it as well as busy places with lots of people and things happening around him.

We took ours everywhere in arms - train station, coffee shops, basically everything we wanted them to be OK with. Don't forget things that happen out of season like fireworks, father Christmas etc !!

Also don't forget experiences that might not be in your everyday life, but might become a regular occurrence if an unforeseen change of circumstances occurred, such as

• car
• bus
• train
• city centre (with busy traffic and lots of people)
• suburbia
• rural areas, including livestock (no chasing!)
• cats
• other pets

Also noisy things like Hoovers, hairdryers (PestDog didn't get the memo that it's not a dog toy), fireworks...

I have a dog that wasn't socialised properly by his first owners. It would have been a lot easier if they'd done the job properly first time around, so it's really good that you're putting the legwork in!

And do go to good quality puppy class - Dogs Trust Dog School (it's semi national, not just in their rescue centres) or someone APDT / IMDT accredited

Thanks everyone. Will go everywhere I can think of over the weekend then! What about going to the toilet though? If we drive into town we can spend a good few hours / half a day out...is it safe for her to go on the ground to toilet? Do I bring a puppy pad so she has something familiar?

Also be very aware in socialisation that it is not just exposing the puppy to the situations but ensuring the puppy is happy in the situations. 8 weeks is a fear stage for many puppies so slow and steady is the best way to go. Because you have done a "situation" once does not mean the dog will be happy with that situation so be prepared to revisit and revisit

I see a lot of dogs that need behavioural help because they have been pushed into situations they find hard.

Watch your puppy, is there any yawning, lip licking, looking away, barking, over excitement, obviously cowering etc?. If so back off from the trigger and treat play games etc to ensure the puppy is relaxed.

Hi I carried my pup everywhere thankfully until 12 weeks only as he is a Giant Schnauzer and by 14 weeks he was 14kg . I put him down places less dogs would be to pee like grass in the car park or just the car park in general. But needs must when we were at football he slept and wee'd at DH's feet. Because we couldn't leave him for an hour and a half at home. Having him at Saturday morning football was fantastic socialisation but he was 9 weeks old and needed to wee and sleep. Just be sensible no fence posts or lampposts or places other dogs love to poop and pee and if at the beach or somewhere look around see where no one ever goes and put him down there you will be fine.