New puppy parents need advice

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

In the "Waiting for New Puppies Group" we have discussing socialization techniques and how to do it since we have to be so careful about Parvo. I am wondering if the veterans here have any advice for us with ways to socialize safely. I personally do not know a lot of people in Texas since moving here only a few years ago. Some of the ideas I have come up with are to take her for drives and through car washes and fast food, stand on a street corner and let her experience cars and noise, take her to my office to meet and greet, maybe go to the mall and walk around and maybe a store that allows pets like a book store or clothing store, and let her meet some kids somehow-don't know any. Are there other ideas you all can help us out with so we can create well balanced doodles?

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

Until they are fully vaccinated I wouldn't go many places. I just wouldn't risk it

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

If you have any coffee shops like Starbucks, those are good places, too.  My husband and I often take our dogs with us when we go out for coffee (and can sit at a table outside).  The pups always get a lot of attention, it lets them watch and learn, and gets them used to activity and noise.  Good luck - and congrats on the new pup!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

This is what Rooney's breeder taught us. 

1.  Don't let your puppy go "nose to nose" with any dog that you do not know - that is the best way to keep them healthy until they are old enough. 

2.  Other than that she said "to take them every place that you can", keeping #1 in mind. 

So we did and Rooney is very well socialized.  Go to an outdoor mall or shopping street and sit on a bench.  People and children walking past will want to stop and pet your puppy!   Take your puppy into the pet stores - carry it in and put it into a cart - other dogs won't be able to get to your puppy but people can still see and pet your puppy.  If you have outdoor dining that allows dogs - go there.     

In my mind you have to weigh the threat of Parvo with the bigger picture of socalization.  People that over shelter their puppies will find that 4 months is too long to start socalization activities.  Good luck and have fun!

[Dori & Rua]

I totally agree with Jane.  I took Rua to Petco and other dog-friendly stores LOT's before she was 4 months.  Since Rua started out at 4lbs (8 weeks old) when we first got her and tipped the scales at 6.4lbs at 4 months, I carried her in the stores (I literally could put her in my big purse which I put in the child seat of the cart).  I also took her for walks around the neighborhood (had to carry her sometimes).  We walked in the street away from potential dog deposits.

 

I also did Puppy Socialization class at Humane Society (I had to wait until she had her second set of shots so she was 3 months old).

[Holly St Pierre]

I agree with Jane. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I whole heartedly one million percent agree with Jane. In fact, I think I say that on here every chance I get about socializing. I never heard it say don't allow nose to nose but that is Perfect.

 

I am a very firm believer in socializing. Very firm. Jack from the day I got him, went everywhere, we drove him in the car, I ran the vacuum cleaner at least daily, the blow dryer, banged on pots and pans, I took him out in thunder storms and we played. To this day when it thunders, instead of whining because he is scared he automatically thinks it is time to go outside and play.

 

When you have a puppy, you don't have to know a lot of people, they are a great way to meet them. I took Jack in a stroller, only because he was too little to walk for miles, most puppies are and people would say, "awww can I pet your puppy" I would gladly let them.

 

I took him to every store I could, but Pet Smart. We went to Pet Smart two weeks after he had his second set of shots. I let him meet the mail man. I did let him hang out with other dogs in my back yard that was entirely fenced in where I knew no other dogs have ever been, ( I know this because before Jack I was OCD clean even with my yard) I invited dogs over that I knew were low risk dogs, dogs that didn't got to daycare and dogs that were up to date on all their shots.. One of my friends dogs were not and many times I had to say no, they can not come over.

 

Also, other things, ring the door bell all the time and don't let them overreact to it, Puppies especially from 6 weeks to about 16 are total sponges but they will pick up on your vibes you are sending out, so try to remain, calm and confident....... I tried to think calm thoughts as Jack played with other dogs, when the door bell rang I didn't get hyper... I literally made ever noise I could possibly think of, Have him be petted by all different types of people, with glasses, wearing hats, etc.

 

Jack is so socialized that when he goes to daycare, they call him the greeter. He makes no reaction when we are walking to other dogs because he is around them all the time. He doesn't react at all when we are out to people, now when they come into the home, he is more likely to want to jump on them.

 

As you can see, I am a firm believer in not over protecting the dog,.... Turn the music up dance with him, sing to him, play with him, try to expose him to as much as you can and limit any negative reactions if you can which means keep a close eye on people who are petting him, not to hard etc, If he is getting tired make sure he gets naps etc.   It is important to balance a lot of sleep with a lot of learning...

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I once read that a puppy should meet at least 100 new people by the age of 12 weeks to be well socialized. Now I don't know if I really believe that to be a deal breaker but we did achieve that easily with Murphy as we were traveling around the country with him as a pup. Jeep Rallys in Utah, Rodeo;s in Texas, the Beach in Florida, Camp grounds in about 12 different states gas stations galore and any outside cafe we could find. We stayed away from other dogs when presented with one and explained that he has not has all his shots yet, but people loved petting him and he learned to sit and let them easily.

Your suggestions sound great and you can easily see tons of people with those ideas. As long as he's not sitting in a house alone all day and only seeing people on short walks, he will be just fine with all you have come up with already. AS for Parvo, call the Vet or any animal shelter and as if they have seen many cases and in what area. This can give you a good idea of the risk factor.

[Leslie J]

Our neighbor used to take her puppy for a walk near the local elementary school in the afternoon and as the kids came out she would let them gently pet her puppy.  The kids are very attracted to puppies and her little maltese is very well socialized and comfortable with children. 

We felt it important for Cocoa to be socialized and did take her out with us- it is all weighing the risks of parvo and the importance of socialization.  I only let her play with the neighbors' dogs who I knew were vaccinated. What I read somewhere is that the risk of a dog ending up in a shelter due to lack of socialization is much higher than getting diseases if you are careful about where you go.  There are some really good suggestions here.

 

[Sharon & Monty]

Monty and I had the best time in Baltimore Inner Harbor.  They had random fountains that shot up, the children were crazy about them, but even more crazy when I allowed Monty to join them!

[Carole]

Hi

I have wonderful memories of our early days with Grace.  I too was very protective and did not want to take any risks with her until fully vaccinated so I carried her in a backpack for the first week, then bought a baby stroller ($15.00 at Target) when she got too heavy for me to carry.  I took her on walks every day.  I pushed her around in the stroller and she sat there with her puppy seat belt and little puppy feet hanging over the seat.  She heard traffic, saw bikes go by, was greeted by everyone we passed.  It was so much fun for both of us.  We also spent a lot of time around school zones and playgrounds with her seated in the stroller.  It was a real attention getter for us and she was exposed to many many people all shapes and sizes as well as age groups.  When she was 6 months she went to Doggy Day Care a few hours a day and made lots of friends.  She is well socialized and a happy dog.  She is now 18 months old and I love the adolescent age, but miss the puppy moments.  Enjoy each minute --- they grow up too quickly. 

[Julie and Maggie]

How did you get a dog stroller for $15? Was it a real pet stroller or one of the folding toddler ones? How did you strap her in? I love this idea, especially if I can find a way to do it for that cheap. No brainer there!

[Carole]

 I bought a baby umbroller in the baby section of the store -- it was on sale, may have even been in the clearance section.  I put a puppy harness on Grace and then buckled the seatbelt behing her with the leash handle threaded through the seat belt.  I then ran the leash down the back of the stoller and tied it to the stroller.  I kept the leash connected to the stroller and just unhooked it from the harness so it was always attached and ready for the next walk.  Hope this is helpful and that you find an inexpensive stroller.  It was a lot of fun walking with her in the early days.  Fun now that she walks with me on her least at 18 months.  Enjoy!