Puppy socialisation.

[Brazilianut]

All you with new Dpups with puppies not yet having had their 2 sets of vaccs, what are you doing for socialisation with other dogs?

I’ve read some info from our vets saying the window closes at 16 weeks!

All the puppy party and socialisation classes are online in my area...which, I don’t see the point of?

Do you have any friends or family with dogs that are definitely vaccinated? We can meet in gardens from tomorrow so that could be an option.

@Sprockerdilerock I only have one person locally so I’ll try them! Thanks for that, hopefully they’ll agree.

You can meet up with other vaccinated dogs. You can also carry your puppy around - either in your arms, in a sling or in a special puppy bag so they can see the world.

Socialisation is NOT about meeting every single dog possible by 16 weeks old - it's about ensuring your puppy has lots of positive experiences with other dogs, people, sights, smells and sounds.

Another option is to contact a local dog walker. I am currently doing socialisation visits with a 14 week old puppy - I take a calm older dog with me and we go for a short 15 minute walk, then we play in the garden - me, the puppy, the older dog and the owner, so we can both supervise, correct any bad behaviour and reward the good.

Dog walkers can work as normal and if that work means socialising a puppy in your home or garden, they can continue to do so with social distancing/masks in place.

My breeder took the entire litter out in a pram to get them used to traffic and passers by!
We are carrying on with traffic, now she's vaccinated (she finds big tractors a bit noisy and alarming)
When she is out in the run with the big dogs, she is soothed by their lack of reaction to tractors, etc.
And she is dubious about horses, particularly the clip clop of hooves, but now we are soon able to go into gardens, we will take her to our friends' livery for careful exposure.
The entire village, it seems, has turned up at the gates to see the new pup, some with dogs, so she is getting positive experiences with those.

We know so much more about dog trauma windows now.
It has been a revelation, especially when I consider how our very reactive lurcher 40 years ago was traumatised on one single walk, when a bunch of dogs barked and snarled at him as we walked past their gate. Poor Ned.

@sunflowersandbuttercups thanks for your advice. So far he’s had good interaction with a few people and dog owners stop and say hello to him with their dogs when I’ve taken on walks in his sling or my arms. He just needs a bit of time now with other dogs I think so we’ll look into the dog walkers.

@Giggorata he’s a relaxed sociable pup but I do hope his first experiences of other dogs out are positive and not like your poor Neds :((

I'm sure you'll find someone who's willing to help!

I love doing puppy socialisation - it's one of my favourite parts of the job! I only do it in 30 minute bursts so the puppy doesn't get too tired or overwhelmed, though.

@sunflowersandbuttercups I can imagine how satisfying it is!

30 mins probably a good idea, my excitable Dpup will enjoy himself but it’ll probably get a bit crazy town 😁

@sunflowersandbuttercups do you do it as a job?

@Brazilianut yes - I'm a professional dog walker :)

The youngest puppy on my books is 14 weeks old - a mini long-haired dachshund. He's very cute!

@sunflowersandbuttercups aww he sounds adorable, I can’t wait till mine has his second set of vaccinations!

We used to take ours and sit in the middle of the town so he could see/hear/smell traffic, walking sticks, buggies, wheelchairs etc. Also had a horse local we would take him to visit.
Socialization sounds on you tube are good too. Helps them get used to sounds like fireworks, sirens, doorbells, babies crying etc.

We just had second jabs last week, but vet said we could walk around the area as long as there was no standing water (rats). so he has been getting walks for a few weeks now.

We have quite a lot of neighbours kids who come in and out of our garden (allowed for under 12s in Scotland), plus had some friends and family visit the garden. We had a puppy play date with a friend as well. We live in an area with lots of dogs so we tend to meet lots when out for a walk. Also we live on a road with lots of buses and construction trucks going down them.

We have also gone to our local pet supply shop and pets at home. Plus school pick up so loads of kids pet him, and car journeys to visit my in laws garden.

My husband also takes him when he is dropping things off with people.

Oh, and delivery people, we always let him meet them.

Thanks guys good ideas

I asked vet if I could walk him at least on the pavement and answer was no, only take him out in arms or his sling

Luckily I’ve arranged to meet a friend in a garden who has a very calm dog, so at least that’s something!