How to socialise a puppy during lockdown?!

[Tibbytibbytibby]

New puppy due to come home to us mid-May. If lockdown is still on, how on earth will I expose them to different people. animals, places experiences to socialise them? If I can't, will this permanently damage their development or can I do it later?

I can only hope that vets will be doing puppy vaccinations again by then, and if they are, you will be able to take your puppy with you on your daily exercise. That should give you the chance to let it see a lot of different people and places, walk on different surfaces, hear different noises. you can also use the time to encourage it to always look to you and stay close.

If vets still aren’t vaccinating it’ll be carrying it for the foreseeable future...

And there won’t be normal levels of traffic or people and no interaction with other dogs or children or...

And honestly, yes it could cause behavioural issues later.

Our dpuppy is 21 weeks. Had her for 7 weeks.
We are having a nightmare time. Postpone if you can op..

I can see why you’re anxious.

Also, if the puppy gets used to you constantly being around then the risk of separation anxiety are increased.

What breed is it?

I can imagine this will be hard work, hopefully by May some of the restrictions may have been lifted (optimistic.)

If not I would still take the puppy out every day on your allowed daily walk, they can be carried and should get to see other people, other dogs, traffic etc from a distance.

However it won't be perfect, in theory every puppy is meant to meet different 100 people before they're 16 weeks. That sounds a lot but for example last summer we took our puppy to Lyme Regis and he must have met at least 50 people as everyone wants to say hello to a puppy!!

we took our puppy to Lyme Regis and he must have met at least 50 people as everyone wants to say hello to a puppy!!
Which is fine in normal circumstances but right now a puppy would only be able to meet the household.

Red that was my point! There's no way you can properly socialise a puppy now.

Cocker Spaniel, been on the waiting list for a litter, just so worried now..... can only hope that lockdown eases by mid-May.

Assuming your puppy will be 8-10 weeks when you get them, then take into account getting their first and booster jabs, it won't be til at least mid june that you have to worry about outdoor/outside of the household socialization.

At the moment KC recommend no breeders let puppies go. Or let people visit them.
It’s a wait and see thing.
Can they be chipped and vaccinated?
Can you get to puppy training?
I have a 24 week old and it’s fine. She’s a confident little thing and not my first. I’m not worried. Shattered. But not worried.

it wont be anywhere near as good as the real thing, but having pots/pans loud banging, drilling, fireworks playing , car horns etc all played loud on the computer can help somewhat with helping get used to noises.
if the puppy can stay with sibling group for longer to at least be getting used to dogs on some level I'd imagine that would be beneficial rather than being alone with you.

Have you met the puppy yet?

If so we need a photo 😊

I think ‘life isn’t perfect’. All you can do is your very best. Walk or carry depending on vaccinations and hopefully by the time puppy should be socialised there will be some way of more socialisation, but if not, socialisation will be less than ideal, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will cause long term Problems

Deeply envious of you getting a CS. I miss my girl.

Only seen photos so far and said that I would like a girl. I did have a thought about using Alex for different noises, walking to the noisy motorway bridge, standing by the railway line. I think that I will just have to be imaginative. I'm also going to have to work on separation, at the moment we are all at home all day.
As you say, it won't be ideal, but I will try my very best and she will be cared for and loved. Waited over 3 years since I lost my previous Spaniel before I felt ready for another, not the best timing.....

I meant Alexa, not Alex!