Another early socialization question.....

[Alli and Barkley]

Me again- 

 

Barkley will be here in exactly one week- CANNOT wait.  his crate is all set up, and we puppy proofed the house today (or so we think).   

 

We are picking him up on Saturday, and Sunday of course is Mother's Day.  It is also my sister's 40th Bday AND my brothers 28th Bday (born on the same day).  We were invited to my sister's house (right down the street, literally) for a small cookout with our family.  Of course we want to go, but we refuse to leave Barkley home alone, even for ten minutes so soon after getting him so-

 

Do we take him with us?  or Do we take turns going to my sister's while one stays home with Barkley?

 

Sister has a dog (Penny), healthy, up to date on vaccines.  2 yrs old, calm, playful, small- love her dog.  

 

I would love to bring him (on leash at all times never leaving my side of course)- to socialize/ introduce him to Penny, and the rest of the family (about 9 people) but I am terrified of Parvo.  Barkley went to the vet at 6 weeks, and had his first round of vaccines but I am still scared to death. 

 

He will only be 7 weeks old- its just too soon isn't it?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alli and Barkley]

Oh Darn, I may have to spend Mother's day in my quiet house snuggled with my new puppy :) 

 

I think I'll run over to my sis' for a bit while DH stays home with Barkley, then switch

[Adina P]

It only NOW dawned on me that your sis is RIGHT down the street.  In that case he'll be FINE alone for a couple hours to nap.  Pups sleep A LOT.  If you're really worried, then leave him home for an hour or two, then return and hang out with him, let him out to potty, put him back and go have more fun with family.

[Alli and Barkley]

Yes- I can walk to her house :)

Do you find it odd that I am nervous about leaving him for 30 minutes on monday (his third day home) while I drive my son to and from school?

 

do I leave him in his crate, so soon? 

 

do I take him in the car with me?

 

do I keep my son home from school forever so I never have to leave Barkley alone lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can leave him in his crate so soon; that's part of the rhythym of life in his new home...mom leaves to take brother to school and always comes right back. That kind of thing will also help him learn to be okay with being left.

Going along for the ride is a good idea, too. Either way.

[Adina P]

YES start leaving him alone for short times RIGHT AWAY!  I took a week off of work when Rosco joined my life as an 8 week old.  But I left him every day to run errands or whatever.  If you spend every waking moment doting on puppy  then it will be a big shock when you suddenly have to leave him.

[Michael Gurley]

I just got an image of "maternity leave" for puppy ownership!! I wish that employers had to give time off for that!!

[Alli and Barkley]

LOL that would be awesome.  I also need "mommy leave" where I can leave my kids somewhere all day so I can focus solely on the puppy

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good idea.

[Jennifer and Jack]

If it were me, I would bring him for a little while Holding him the entire time if you can, Let him get a little love and then bring him home to his crate. I agree they learn the crate is their safe place to be, so they like it there.  I dove right in with Jack, socializing him and for the most part I don't have any regrets about it, One regret does relate to children, I had a house full of people and a ton of kids over about three weeks after I had Jack and he got "placed in the kiddie pool" He hated it and to this day he hates water, I will never know if this experience he had as a puppy is the reason.

 

Bottom line is if you are going to let them around kids, you can not for one minute take your eyes off of them. I was told by  my vet if the other dog is known to be up to date on their shots Jack could play with them. I let other dogs play in my back yard with him, dogs I knew and trusted, Starting two days after I brought him home.

 

I think the key is to protect them from having bad experiences that will naturally cause them to have unwanted but understandable reactions that may cause them to get kicked out.

[Alli and Barkley]

Thanks Jennifer.  After reading so much about the benefits of socialization, and how important it is to fit so many experiences in before 12 weeks- we may actually bring him along for the first hour or so.

 

Adina- you totally made sense when you said to jump right in.  My sis is over all the time, as is her daughter so why not introduce him to them early on.  The other people attending would also be close family that we see on a constant basis. 

 

 

[L.M.]

Just be very careful...I know I posted before, but 7 weeks is reeeeeeeeally young.  Even if your sister's dog is up to date with shots, it could still be carrying certain things that don't affect it, but could affect your baby pup.  Socialization before 12 weeks I think is important when it comes to litter mates and interaction with the mother dog....not so much with other adult dogs and people.  Your pup may even be overwhelmed with all the people there...again, 7 weeks is extremely young to be out and about.

[Alli and Barkley]

Thank you Lindsay!  I may just bring him and let him sit on my lap, then take him back home after a little while.  Though, DH still isn't sure if we should bring him at all- guess we will see how it goes.