[zotar]

Hi all

New to this forum, had one post answered- very, very helpful!!

I feel like a fretful father at the moment! Took my 10 week old pup to first puppy training/ socialising yesterday- very bold at home, very timid by the end of the class, shocked at how small she was compared to lab pups one week older! She kept cowering away from other pups the same soze or slightly bigger. Anyway, Decided to take her for a little walk yesterday (her first time out)....

When with me she went a little way from home then just stopped after about 1/4 mile and would not go any further. Just wanted to turn round and go home. Same when I tried today although only went about 50 metres! Yesterday my wife and her mum caught up with me and as soon as we were all together- she was fine and walked with us. She just would not go anywhere wih me alone.
Every car that went past (this was not a busy road) she cowered and tried to run.

Now- I know she is only 10 weeks etc- but is this normal and what should I be doing?? Everyone I have spoken to says their pups can't wait to get out of the door.

I am mildly worried as I want her to be a gundog- am I worrying too early here!? Any tips and your experiences would be appreciated!!

My wife is going to try by herself today to see what happens....

 

[bld]

Have you taken her out and about even just carrying her to get used to sights and sounds yet? You can do this even before her second injection. Expose her to as many different situations as possible so she gets used to noises, new sights etc.

With regards to walking on the lead, we started off just in the garden where he was already comfortable before attempting a walk and then we started very slowly with short walks (a couple of minutes) and built up gradually.

 

[zotar]

yeah- she was carried around to see the sights, went in the car as well.

Was happy with the lead, wore it round the house, we used it in the yard to get used to her pooping etc

She was quite happy on the lead up and down the back lane- but when we get a little little way from home the brakes come on!

 

[...]

Treat her as you would a younger pup and carry her out. Take her to all sorts of places, carrying her and just sitting there with her on your lap or by your side, so she can soak up all the new sights, sounds and smells.

Some pups are as bold as brass when you first take them out and others find the Big Wide World terrifying to start off with, so you are always best to get them out as young as possible, even if they are not actually walking anywhere.

I've had a few "Ninny" pups but they have all come good in the end, they just need a little more time and more gentle socialisation so they can get used to the world.

I presume she is working bred as you wish to work her and I have found these tend (although by no means always) to be more sensitive and need a more careful approach, so as not to over face them.

Mojo and Pickle weren't that enamoured by cars going past, so I used to carry them down to the Bus Stop and sit there for a while, just so they could watch. I found it is a great place to socialise a pup, as people of all shapes and sizes come over to say hello too and you see pushchairs, walking sticks, umbrellas and all number of other potentially scary things wandering past in dribs and drabs. They do get used to all manner of things once they realise nothing is out there to hurt them. :wink:

 

[Feebarn]

Remember its a big bad world out there for her. So slowly slowly with introduction of new things. She is just a baby and its all very new and exciting. Take her everywhere you go, expose her to lots and lots of things from the safety of your arms where she will feel safe and confident. Carry her somewhere and then put her down and reassure her its all ok and encourage her to play.

Don't walk her too much at this age.... 10 minutes max per day. The genereal rule of thumb would be 5 minutes for every month of life. So you can increase as she gets older. But just go slow! I remember very well the first time a collar and lead went round Hudsons neck and we expected him to walk nicely. Doesn't just happen that way! They haven't a clue whats happening... and we tug n pull and expect them to somehow know! Try her with the collar and lead round the house and slowly just work up to going out with it for a short distance, bring her home and praise her!

This all will pass as she learns that cars aren't really scarey and she becomes used to the sights and sounds outside of her wee safe house!

 

[Tarimoor_Art]

At ten weeks old, she should really just be playing rather than formal lead walking as such. It's great to get them out and about, to get them used to sights and sounds, but you need to be carrying them and then popping them down for a few mins.

It's a balance between them getting the exercise they need to develop, and not overdoing it as you may harm their developing joints.

There are loads of stickies and threads with advice in the puppy section, and have a look in the FT section for advice on what you should be doing with a young pup; I think you'll be surprised to find it's probably more about what you shouldn't be doing.

 

[zotar]

Thanks for all your replies- I think the bus stop idea is a great one!!

 

[Jens0n]

Also have you tried treats?
dog training helped us and main lessons learned which helped are ignore pup when stops and sits down. When up and walking buy your side, lots and lots of encourgement, use treats to keep dogs mind off passing cars if needed.