practical puppy socializing

[mtoy]

I've read everywhere that we need to socialize young puppies (pre-16 week) but we also have to keep them away from nasty germs. Puppy class is a good way to do it, since they are careful about vaccination records. But what are some other ways? I feel kind of stuck here because we don't know a lot of people, there are no nearby relatives (that we speak with, at least :eek: ) and our neighbors are dog haters or kinda strange. Parks and pet supply places are full of germs (what about putting him in the shopping cart?). Walking him anywhere is out of the question right now because of the leash problem. There are my kids' friends families, but they are people just like us - maybe he needs to meet people different from us - age, deep voice, high voice, race, size, etc... If I had a job outside the home I'd bring him in there for a bit, but I work at home, alone. DH's job is just out of the question.

[sutulu]

I'd look into a puppy class. Even a big chain store like Petsmart requires vaccination records for dogs in their classes.

I'd suggest playdates with hand picked dogs that are friendly but as you said, you are new to the area so that might be a problem.

In Lulu's CGC class there was a dog with "issues" and our instructor recommended taking her dog outside shopping centers, etc to let strangers come up and get used to meeting them.

[taflar]

Parks and pet supply places are full of germs (what about putting him in the shopping cart?). Walking him anywhere is out of the question right now because of the leash problem.

Vaccinations are to protect your puppy. If he's been vaccinated then you can take him most places with reasonable safety. I would avoid places like dog parks or other places where there are or have been lots of dogs that you don't know the health status of. That's where a dog is most likely to pick up things like parvo (which is the most likely thing for a puppy to get.)

If your kids have friends over, and they play with the puppy that helps. Get the puppy leash broken and start going for short walks. Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class. (And they will help you with the leash breaking part too!)

And other than that don't worry about it so much. Just do normal stuff and don't panic. My puppies don't go everywhere with me and they turn out just fine.

Peggy

[mtoy]

He's already started puppy kindergarten, so we have that covered. I'd like to get him out and about more, but yeah, he really needs to be leash broken (we're working on it...) because he's a heavy guy.

I guess I got so worried because a book I read said that if you don't have your puppy meet 100 people before it turns 12 weeks he won't socialize correctly. Well, excuse me... um, just how would I do that when the same book says not to take him out in public because he could get sick and die? Sheesh. It said we are to have several "meet the puppy" parties in our home. Ok, well, we've had him a week and a half and he turned 12 weeks last week. And if he's not socialized, at least he's healthy!

I do know our breeder had the puppies traveling with her several places before we got him, meeting all kinds of animals and people. I guess if you add the people he met while with her in addition to the people he met with us, it's probably 100.

[corgimom]

I got Cody at 11 weeks old - my kids had friends over frequently, I did take him for short walks in our neighborhood. I would take him next door to visit the neighbors with the preschoolers; he didn't start puppy class until he was 5 months old, and he went to doggy day care 1 day a week, starting at about 8 months old. He loves everyone and is very friendly and enjoys the company of other dogs.
I wouldn't stress out about it, I am sure you are doing fine and he will be fine.

[taflar]

I guess I got so worried because a book I read said that if you don't have your puppy meet 100 people before it turns 12 weeks he won't socialize correctly. Well, excuse me... um, just how would I do that when the same book says not to take him out in public because he could get sick and die? Sheesh. It said we are to have several "meet the puppy" parties in our home. Ok, well, we've had him a week and a half and he turned 12 weeks last week. And if he's not socialized, at least he's healthy!

Don't belive every book you read. I have never had any puppy of mine meet 100 people, let alone before they were 12 weeks old. And I have never had any "meet the puppy" parties. And my dogs seem to think a stranger is a friend they haven't met yet.

If someone comes over and wants to see my puppies I usually let them but I don't have parties to meet my puppies.

You're going to puppy kindergarten, your home is not a fortress and people come over. You're doing fine, you don't need to do anything real specific.

The only way I can see that you could make a corgi puppy unsocial is to confine them to your home and never let them meet anyone. Ever. Shoot, I've gotten puppies and dogs that were kennel raised and they were not unsocilized either. (There are very few show kennels now days but when I got started there were a few then. I got my start from one of the top kennels in Pembrokes at the time.)

Debbie might have some advice for Cardigans, as they are more reserved by nature than Pems are. Still I don't think you'd need to have them meet 100 people by 12 weeks or have puppy meeting parties.

Peggy

[The Chipmunk's Mom]

When we got Chip, we took him to flea markets and Petsmart and I carried him. People would stop and ooh and awe over him. I also took him to my sister's house and out and about. He never met 100 people either. He didn't start obedience until after he was neutered about 7 months old and Chip loves everybody and he assumes everybody loves him even if they don't. Now Dale on the other hand is more reserved and he goes places also but that is his personality. He has a wait and see attitude. :D I wouldn't worry about it - you are doing just fine with your pup.

[mtoy]

Thanks all, I must be crazy, worrying about this little guy like he's one of my human kids! Our pembroke has *issues* with other dogs (ones bigger than her) which has always been a pain to deal with. I guess I'm trying to make everything perfect (LOL) this time.

[taflar]

Thanks all, I must be crazy, worrying about this little guy like he's one of my human kids! Our pembroke has *issues* with other dogs (ones bigger than her) which has always been a pain to deal with. I guess I'm trying to make everything perfect (LOL) this time.

Some of them are just that way. It's their temperment, not due to lack of socialization.

Nothing's ever perfect. Doesn't mean you shouldn't try but don't set your goals out of reach either.

Peggy