We can finally take our puppy out at the weekend. Obviously we want her to socialise and meet other dogs but I don't want her to get injured. There are so many boisterous untrained or vicious dogs about and owners who just let the dogs rule. Any tips on keeping my puppy safe but meeting other dogs in the street or if they are off the lead and yours is on the lead.
You probably want to join me and my Labrador Moye, in a walk on the beach: Dogs should not be approaching you if your dog is on-lead and you have every right to yell and be angry about that and hopefully educate the owners better. Choosing appropriate dogs for a young puppy to interact with, is an art form. Attending a well-run puppy training class which includes off-leash socialisation which is closely supervised, is highly advisable. Avoiding dog parks is highly advisable. Picking your pup up if you see a strange dog and are not sure whether you trust it, is recommended. Finally, you should have been taking her out every day since you got her - just carrying her in your arms. Don't wait for vaccinations to finish or you will be too late to thoroughly socialise before the socialisation period runs out.
On advice from the vets I will take her out at the weekend I don't want to leave it to chance we have always waited for them to be 12 weeks old. Thank you for the advice as expected it's common sense I am sure we will be fine she might be able to walk with our neighbours puppy he is a few months old. I would love to walk with you on the beach but we are in the middle of the country. We have lots of fields here and not many dog walkers walk there they stick to the streets.
@WillowA the socialisation window starts to CLOSE at 12 weeks old. A puppy should have experienced many many many things in the world, by the time the dog is 12 weeks old. Vets are medical specialists, they have zero training in canine behaviour. Many more dogs are put to sleep and destroyed due to behavioural problems than the number which catch contagious diseases - full stop. Carrying a puppy around without putting them on the ground presents no more risk than keeping them at home - why would it? You are holding them. The risk is from the urine and faeces of infected dogs, which your puppy is not going to experience in your arms... It's a bit late now, if your pup is almost 12 weeks old, but I hope you can learn from this and do different next time. http://grishastewart.com/what-is-socialization/ https://drsophiayin.com/app/uploads/2015/12/Socialization_Checklist.pdf - a great check-list to print out and tick off, as you socialise your puppy http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation1 http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation2 http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/puppy-socialization-stop-fear-before-it-starts
My vet, a wise old lab man advised me to get her out as soon as possible . From 8 weeks she was out and about sensibly wish me. She met many dogs and had been all over the place in those early weeks. She is now a resilient dog outside and nothing phases her. I would encourage anyone to get their pups out as soon as you can, the benefits are worth it
Willow has been carried in my arms she is 10 weeks old she will be 11 weeks on Wednesday. None of my dogs have had behavior problems aggressive behaviour starts in the home and how they are treated we have always taken them in pubs and on holiday and never has issues with any as they are brought up in a loving home environment.
Hi @WillowA I don't wish to be difficult but you are seriously misinformed about all of the causes of dog aggression. Some dogs who have fear aggression do come from very loving homes. They were not, however, socialised properly. Please read the following article about socialisation. https://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-socialise-your-labrador-puppy/
Any animal that is frightened will bite if cornered. Like I said none of my pups had fear agression. I intend to socialise Willow as said she is 10 weeks. There are always dog walkers here so leaving the house will encounter at least 1 on our travels.
