Hi everyone,
Just after some advice because twice now I've encountered people who've told me my puppy should be off the lead.
For context, she is 13½ weeks old and started her first walks a few days ago due to her jabs - her breeder didn't have her first jab done which set us back a bit in terms of when she has been able to go for a walk. But she's now allowed to do pavement walks, which she's been doing since Saturday.
In that time, two people have approached me when we're out walking to say that I am making a mistake and she should be off the lead to get used to other dogs. Today, a woman told me I was raising a terrified dog and she should be allowed to run around freely - on about her fourth walk ever, right next to a road? My puppy was barking and unsure about her huge dog approaching her, which seems understandable, seeing as she's so tiny and this is all new to her? I was trying to show the pup that the big dog was nothing to be scared of by talking to her in a reassuring voice and crouching down with her, but apparently this was the wrong thing to do.
Letting her off now (especially with the road etc!) doesn't seem sensible to me, but I wanted to check with you knowledgeable lot. When did yours first go off the lead? How do I make sure that she isn't terrified, because now I'm nervous that she is going to grow up nervous because of this?
She gets lots of runs in a big enclosed garden with my PILs' two dogs and is booked into puppy class in two weeks' time. What else do I need to be doing?
If you're able to offer any advice, I'd be really grateful!