Do you have a puppy carrier for socializing outside in the first months?

[Julie and Maggie]

I'm completely new to this puppy world. I won't be getting my goldendoodle until at least August. But I am trying to get prepared. :)

 

During those first couple of months when we are supposed to be exposing our puppy to all these social situations yet at the same time protecting them from anything that might have been exposed to another dog (still don't get how to do that) I was thinking that I would just end up carrying around my puppy in some kind of bag or carrier. As soon as it is safe we are on the ground with a leash.

 

I've started googling around to see what's out there, but I would love all your opinions. Will finding a carrier that holds up to 20 pounds work for a F1 doodle in the first four months? I don't know how much they weigh at that point. 

 

Also, how do you deal with getting pee'd on when you carry your puppy around? At least with my two sons we had diapers! I can't get my head around the idea of holding a little pee machine for any length of time....especially out in public where I might need a change of clothes. I used to carry an extra top in my baby bag for just such a problem. Might need to think like that again.

 

If you have a puppy carrier where did you get it?

 

Thanks!

Julie (future doodle mom in waiting)

[Adina P]

That's so funny you asked this question because before I had my first puppy was SO afraid of getting peed on! 

I always thought pups were a high risk pee machine too!  But, puppies don't typically pee while being held (unlike babies) any more than they pee lying down...they need to be on all fours to pee/poo.  So you won't have to worry about that.  I guess they are more like a toddler who is ready to be potty-trained rather than a newborn or young infant. 

 

As far as getting a carrier...I don't think that's necessary.  A lot of socialization with people and other safe dogs can happen on YOUR property and places that are unlikely to be visited by other dogs.  

 

 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, Adina, you are carrying a little pee machine right now.  Little boys are notorious for peeing on their mothers and anyone around when their diapers are being changed.  I can imagine that you are not so phobic about being peed on now after puppies and a baby, but beware of little boys.

[Julie and Maggie]

So if I am going to an outdoor mall and sitting outside at a Starbucks or something, we would be ok if I just held the puppy in my lap? See we live in a pretty nice suburban area where lots of people have dogs. I want the puppy to get used to these areas because it will be a common place to be. If I go to a Starbucks there will likely be a dog or two around if not there recently. Is that a place to avoid? That's why I am thinking about some kind of carrier.

 

I don't have pictures of anything yet. I have sent my application and deposit to a breeder and am awaiting a confirmation. But as soon as I know it is a go I will be posting everything I can. I am so excited!

[Adina P]

That should probably be fine.  I wouldn't let him share water bowls (our Starbucks often has a water bowl out for dogs to drink from).  The only other requirement I'd want from visiting dogs (visiting my home with friends that is) is that they not be taken to dog parks prior to the visit. 

There is a risk with everything, but as long as you take a cautious risk you should be fine.  I would talk to the vet you choose (or a vet in several diff clinics if you like) closer to the time of puppy's homecoming and ask what the Parvo situation is in your area.  If there hasn't been much parvo going around then I would worry less.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would not think you would need a carrier for the puppy.  If anything, I would get a chest pack that you can carry him in if you want to take him with you somewhere.  Then he would not be on the same level with any other dogs and could not use their bowls, get close to them, etc.  It is also just a closer feeling with you.  He will get used to being in the pack when you take him out of the house before he has had all his shots.  (Parvo is very contageous for little pups.)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am going to chime in but I do things "different" then a lot of people did, mostly because I don't have any children and I had/have a lot of time and because I had a fear of not socializing my dog enough. I had to survive without the wonderful knowledge of DK for almost two years and I didn't have people to balance me out.

 

I did get a carrier for my dog. We are getting a second dog in August as well and I plan on using it again. I took Jack my 8 week old everywhere with me. I was so afraid he was going to get small dog syndrome which is something little dogs get so easily, he is a toy goldendoodle and I was also afraid he was going to be reactive to people and dogs that I wanted him to be totally used to all situations without reacting, For the most part that is what I got, I take Jack everywhere to this day and he does not react to to much of anything,

 

Anyway, just for a different perspective, I kept Jack in the carrier when I vacuumed the house, blow dried my hair, did laundry and when I took him on long walks, I wanted him to  see other kids, cats, dogs, people and all sorts of things. I felt like he felt safe in there while he could get used to loud noise etc.

 

I used one that went up to 20 pounds too, I will tell you it is a big fat lie, Jack is only under 13 pounds and he can no longer fit in there.

 

Another thing I did was I bought a dog jogging stroller, at the time, I jogged a lot and puppies are not allowed to run to approximately one year old. I would put him in there and stroll him around the neighborhood and of course everyone wants to pet a puppy, so get got a lot of socialization. I also took him out in thunder storms and anything else I could think of.

 

To me, and again this is just my opinion, I feel like all the effort I put into him was worth it, and that is why I plan on doing it again. Would Jack have come out the same way if I didn't put all that work into him, I do not know? I have no idea. I liked the carrier for him, It will not work if you are getting a full size doodle though because it really does not hold up to 20 pounds. Jack was three to four pounds when I used it.

 

I only used it for the first two to three weeks until his second set of shots were in him. Then he was corded to me and brought everywhere.

 

 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

We had the absolutely perfect set up for Gracie Doodle.  It was unplanned but worked out perfectly.  Our neighbor who we only knew enough to wave to had a 3 month old Springer and a 9 month old Springer.  She is a school teacher and was out of school for the summer.  From the day Gracie came home the three started playing together twice every day in our back yard.  It was the best thing that ever happened.  Gracie learned how to play, socialize, respect the pecking order and have fun.  We would sit out in the yard for at least an hour every morning and afternoon and let them romp and roll around on the lawn.  I got a wadding pool from Toys R Us and all three would get in and play.  So the introduction to water got solved too!  To this day, four years later, they are all just like sisters and see each other every day.  We also took Gracie to shopping malls to walk around and get used to people coming up to her.  We hardly got more than 3 feet into the mall before we were swarmed with people wanting to love her.  You will find your Doodle is like a magnet...where ever you go...people will come!!!  Just keep your pup away from places where dogs would go.  No sniffing trees, posts, bushes, trash cans or any place you can think of that a dog would lift it's leg and pee.  Keep your pup on the cement in public places.  If you need to take the pup to an area to relieve itself, take it to a planter area where dogs on a leash would not go.  Also, if someone approaches you with their dog on a leash to say hi just ask them to not let their dog near your dog because it doesn't yet have all the shots.  Pick up you pup to play safe.  Most people understand because they have been in the same situation.  Starbucks and places like that are fine.  Just always think like a dog and say...where would I pee if I needed to right now...and make sure you don't put your pup in those areas.  Take your own water and bowl with you too. You can buy those folding bowls.  Always make sure any dog you socialize with is not a dog park dog or a beach dog.  My neighbor's dogs were basically house and back yard dogs and were not exposed to the outside threats that come with dog parks and beaches.  If you have friends who have dogs and you know their routine and consider them "safe", then invite them to come over to play.  It is the best thing you could ever do for your pup!  My Gracie is such a sweet, non aggressive, laid back, friendly girl and I think the way we socialized her had so much to do with it.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

We sell carriers in my store and the XL will hold a dog that weighs about 10 lbs maximum. If you want to keep your puppy confined while in public, the easiest thing to get would be a dog stroller. If you're getting a standard goldendoodle, I'm guessing it could weigh 30 lbs+ by the time it's 4 months old.

Just getting your puppy used to car rides, visit with friends or family who you know take good care of their dogs and get them immunized should be okay.  I wouldn't put your pup down on the ground anywhere dogs you don't know use the bathroom either.

I totally agree with Adina about talking to your vet when you take your pup in for his first well check up. Parvo is a terrible disease that mainly targets puppies. Also ask him/her about what age your puppy should be protected to go out in public.

[shelly]

Hi Julie and welcome!  You are starting off much luckier than most of us... you have found this wonderful site well before your puppy arrives.  Wish I had done the same!  I was (well still am) a worry wart... I never brought Tori out anywhere for fear of her 'catching' something - BIIIIIG mistake.  As a result I have a dog who is fearful to go anywhere....My advise... bring your puppy EVERYWHERE yo possibly can.  I wouldn't let him down to walk around a pet store (some people DO bring their unimmunized dogs into the store).  don't let him share a water bowl with any other dog and watch where you let him potty.  Perhaps a carrier would be best. (NEXT time I will do it very differently)

  As far as peeing on you... unless you lift him up "in the act" of peeing... they usually don't pee when being held.  I used to pick Tori up from her crate in the morning and carry her on her back with her tail wrapped under.  She NEVER peed on any of us - LOL

  However... she will still pees sometimes when we come home from being away for a while and we greet her with a high-pitched "HI, Tori"... lol.  Now we just walk in - unexcited and say let's go out... and she's usually fine!

   Gather up all of the helpful hints you can now.  It will surely save you  when your new puppy arrives in your home!  good luck!  Looking forward to seeing lots of pictures!