Visiting the New Puppy

[Katie & Roo]

Hi everyone!

We're finally picking up Roo on Saturday. I can't believe it's finally here! I've been reading everything on this site and puppy books. I'm starting to get nervous I'll forget everything once I actually have to execute training and what not!

Anyways, I have a question regarding friends and family meeting Roo. Everyone is so excited to meet him, but I don't want to overwhelm him. Do you think I should let him get adjusted before having a few visitors or do you think if it's only one or two people it will be okay?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Attached is a picture of Roo.

[Tina McNerthney]

We're getting our puppy in a little over two weeks. I've spoken with multiple breeders and my vet, all of whom indicated that it is critical to socialize the puppy, particularly between 8 to 12 weeks. Our puppy will close to round two of his vaccines when we get him. Our vet and breeder said that after he gets his 2nd round at 8.5-9 weeks, we can cautiously take him to very clean places like puppy kindergarten. Also recommended are places where you won't typically find pets, like Home Depot or a coffee shop. You need to use your own judgment but keep in mind that socialization is critical to a puppy's well being.

Here's a good, short article for you to read on puppy socialization by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior:

 http://avsabonline.org/uploads/position_statements/puppy_socializat...

You could spend the first couple of weeks introducing your puppy to people at your house, but after that consider Stephanie's suggestion of carrying your puppy around so he can experience different sights and sounds.

Keep us posted on how things go.

[Melissa Bissell]

My trainer gave me that article as well.  Do you have children?  Because I am finding that I am getting my pup a bit of socializing daily just by bringing him briefly to my kids activities.  One day I brought him to the band room door as I picked my son up from school band and his teacher and a friend came out and gave our pup a petting.  Then I brought him up to my son's drum lesson where he met another boy and another drum teacher.  I think Hugo will be very comfortable with 12 year old boys and male music teachers!!! :-)  I am also planning SHORT playdates with friends that have adult dogs (that are fully vaccinated).  we haven't had any yet, but in the planning stage.  We will either be at their homes or mine.  Not sure how either dog will like that so planning very short visits.  Today I picked my teenage daughter up along with her friends and Hugo was in his crate in the car (I drive him around as much as possible).  So he got to experienced a lot of teen girl squealing.  So anyways, just some other ideas for safe socialization.  Also, I was thinking about your question about the sling.  At Hugo's vet visit today he weighed in at 12 pounds - he is 10 weeks and had gained 3 pounds in 1 week!!!  So I don't know if you would get a lot of use out of a sling.  Maybe a week or two.  And I do carry him around still a little, and as much as he LOVES sitting on my lap, he isn't as happy about being carried around anymore.

[Tina McNerthney]

Melissa,

I have a 14-year-old stepson. I work full-time and my husband works at home, so the dog will get to see him a lot during the day.

I expect there will be some kids coming by on weekends and I do take Baxter in the car on the way to and from activities. I think there will be opportunities to socialize with neighbors and I plan to arrange some play dates, too.

After I did a little more research, I realize, like you suggested, Baxter will be too big for a sling after a couple of weeks. I think after his second round of shots we will do careful walking around our clean, safe spots. 

It will be quite the adventure!

[Katie Ternes]

He can socialize with our immediate family and a few close friends, but I'm not going to take the risk of making a 3k investment for it to get parvo and die a horrible death in front of my kids who have already lost a pet this year. It makes me crazy to see people who have young puppies in places like Petsmart and Home Depot. 

[Malenie Piscetelli]

Katie, you are doing the right thing. :)

[Katie Ternes]

It just doesn't seem worth the risk. I mean, sure, I can't wait for everyone to meet our new dog and see the cute puppy, but the cute puppy isn't going to be around long if he gets dragged to and fro. 

My girls were both preemies born in the dead of winter, so I tend to get a little crazy about babies and germs. 

[Christy&Riley]

When we got Riley last summer, we had no idea about parvovirus and other diseases. I guess ignorance is bliss. LOL. We spent a lot of time in our front yard (to avoid accidents in the house) so neighbors dropped by probably every day from the first night she came home for the first few weeks. She broke her leg after a week which really limited us though. (long story) I regret not being able to get her around more people early on. She is now a complete spaz when people come over. I'm hoping that was just her normal personality and not because of lack of exposure early. It is really hard to corral a 40 pound dog pulling to see people now.

Have fun with your new pup. He is adorable!

[christina m]

Are there high incidents of parvo in you area? I was careful with Nicky but still let him meet lots of people (took him to the malls but held him) and dogs that we knew. We took him everywhere we went but just held him. I think this is why he is so good with other dogs and people.

I think not socializing your pup will be a huge detriment to you and Roo. Future walks will be a nightmare! There was a adult dog that we met today that would NOT stop barking at us. So annoying. Owner said he barks at anyone new and it was his fault for babying him as a pup.

I get that you are scared of diseases but this may result in behavior issues in the future that may drive you out of your mind.

[Kristen and Chewbacca (Chewy)]

Thanks so much for posting this article! I agree that both early socialization and protection against disease are extremely important during the 1st 3-4 months. There are safe activities that encourage socialization. I received a lot of guidance a few weeks ago on this topic and am planning a SAFE socialization schedule. Here's an article with a socialization checklist:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/...

I plan on training my pup to be a therapy dog in the future so he/she has to be very comfortable with many types of people and environments.
I also volunteer at my local animal shelter. It makes me very sad that most of the dogs are there because of behavior that the owner did not want to deal with--they are perfectly healthy. I feel it is paramount to maintain a healthy balance between health and socialization at this age.

[Pam Thomas]

Is there a way to treat your yard for parvo,  before you bring a puppy home-just in case previous dogs that were there may have had it?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

There is nothing more important than socialization. Of course you must protect a puppy from Parvo but it is possible to do both. It just takes more planning and thought and some inconvenience too. Believe me a dog that is not socialized during that window of opportunity may turn out to have multiple problems. A gorgeous looking dog that is fearful of umbrellas, men, fireworks, bikes, loud noises, traffic, sirens.......and lots more besides can turn into a huge challenge and not at all the easy going companion envisaged.  Here is a link to a free download from Dr Ian Dunbar that I followed. 

http://www.dogstardaily.com/files/BEFORE%20You%20Get%20Your%20Puppy...

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Great post, Nicky!