[bradleysmum]

If you have a new puppy to care for, you'll want to get him or her used to as many different things as possible. Here's a few tips to help you on your way :wink:

- Introduce your Lab to men, women & children.

- Let them meet other dogs (after vaccinations) and cats too.

- Take him or her to your local shop, and introduce them to new people.

- Expose your Lab puppy to loud noises such as the vacuum, police sirens, train noise, planes etc.,

- Take them on walks where they can see joggers, cyclists, maybe a policeman or anything you consider a little different to the average person. (Our Bradley always used to be a bit funny with people who wore hats!)

- Introduce them to your car, take them for short rides.

- If you're visiting a friend, take your puppy to show them other people and other peoples houses.

- Try to take them out into the country, where they can see sheep, horses etc.,

- Ask your vet about puppy parties, they are great for introducing your pup to other pups/people, and you might meet some new puppy owners too!



Julie

 

[NicolaL]

Hi Julie

Great tips. It is very important to get them used to all sorts of environments.

I often worry about Smudge because he only really sees us as we don't have any family near by nor do we have any one popping round to the house at all (we're a lonely pair! lol!). When we take him on his walks, there never seems to be anyone around!

We think his training classes are a great place for him to meet other people and dogs.

I was thinking about taking him into Cambridge City Centre so he sees more people walking around - but I will need to keep him under control as he gets sooooo excited when he sees anyone!

All the best,
Nicola.

 

[Fay]

Hi,

We went to a puppy party at the vets and Harvey loved it!

He seems really good when he meets other dogs and people. He even licked the postman this morning :lol:

We start puppy training classes tomorrow morning, I'm really looking forward to it

Regards

Fay

 

[Rebel1]

hi guys,
yep max went to a puppy party at our vets. they organize them for pups of the same sort of age once they have had their jabs. it was really good fun for the mums and dads as well as the pups. they were all running round and playing like a load kids.
i introduced max to the postman as soon as possible and he now looks for him every day. our postie said he wished more people would do that as he's allways getting nipped.
max is fine with most dogs but he is a complete wimp when he comes nose to knee cap with a little yorkie that lives near us. he hides behind me and shakes. dont know why cos the yorkie has never done anything to him. it must look funny .
jane and the not so brave max.

 

[barleyjunior]

My partner Willie is a postie - so thankfully we don't have any problems with Brady in that way!

 

[lfairy]

Hehe

Jess is scared of Yorkie's and little white dogs. There's a man who walks his little yorkie of the lead in the woods where i walk Jess. She ran to see the guy one day and the little dog seen her off now she cowers behind me when she see's them

 

[Karen_theArtist]

A couple of days after we picked up Corbie we were round my fiance's brother's house for his birthday - Corbie was the star attraction and wasn't phased by meeting six strangers or the two cats, the cats were scared of him and we never saw them! I would also carry him to the main road so he could watch the traffic.

Our 10-15 min walk took half an hour the other day as we kept meeting people who wanted to tell Corbie how gorgeous he is! The poser! We never usually see anyone when we go out.

He's now met a few dogs and has always been really good, but I only let him say hello if the other dog's owners are ok with this.

As for the hoover, he tries to play with it! Mad! :lol:

 

[lablover]

You cannot overdo socialisation. The dangers of undersocialisation are possible greater than the dangers from taking a pup out before it's complete its immunisations. I would always recommend taking pup out as soon as possible, (carrying obviously - don't let them on the ground).
But get them used to as many different places, people, sounds etc while they are still young. The effects of a lack of socialisation may not show until a dog is 18 months or more, and by then it is too late (or at least a lot of hard work to remedy).
Nicola, definately take Smudge into Cambridge (I lived there many years ago - I'll bet it's changed now ), I've sat on a bench outside sainsbury's with pup in my lap before now - it's amazing how a little pup can draw attention .

With regards to puppy parties, some are good, some are a free for all. I would always go to visit one first and I would avoid the latter. Many are run by vet nurses, who have little experience in dog behaviour. I prefer to go to those rub by dog trainers who have the knowledge and experience to read a puppy's body language and can pick up the subtle signs of either distress or things getting out of hand. A free for all can terrify and ruin a timid pup and make bullies out of the bolder ones. Also, everytime your pup has loads of fun with other dogs, it will become more difficult to get recall / attention later. The best puppy parties are where puppy play is controlled, pups are matched with similar temperaments, and you are always the centre of attention, so pup learns that although he can have fun with other puppes, he will always come back to you.
HTH

 

[NicolaL]

Nicola, definately take Smudge into Cambridge (I lived there many years ago - I'll bet it's changed now ), I've sat on a bench outside sainsbury's with pup in my lap before now - it's amazing how a little pup can draw attention .

Hi Lablover

How long since you lived in Cambridge? I don't think the main city has changed a lot - though of course there are lots of houses springing up in the surrounding area!

Thanks for the tip - I'll take him shopping soon! We took him into the main town where my parents live at Christmas and he was the star attraction! He was good as gold though and as you say, it is very important for them to get used to as many different environments as possible.

Just popping out with the young man now to see if there is anyone hanging around Hardwick on a Sunday afternoon!

All the best,
Nicola.

 

[Fay]

Hi,

Well we survived our first weeks training . . . . :lol:

It was a great way of getting Harvey socialised, there were lots of dogs there. Maybe a few too many really, but the trainer is very popular! Must have been about 20 dogs! ! !

I missed the first week as Harvey hadn't had his vaccination in time, so all we did was getting them to walk to heel, then getting them to sit and lie.

I think we did quite well for our first week

Fay