socializing working puppies - Page 2

Home Depot on a Saturday morning.

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Home Depot is one of my favorites. Weave in between BBQ's, walk into the storage sheds, close doors, jump up and walk on shelved inside sheds. I put pups in carts and scoot them along a bit, next to carts, on the flat carts they have for big items. Most of the time a parked trailer to walk under and around, traffic and people to check out. A couple times I even went inside with a pup or 2 when my daughter helps out.

Is Petco/PetSmart an ok place to socialize pups?

Most everyone will tell you NO!  Do not know the other owners/dogs, if they are current in shots etc. Along with to many novices.

I like taking my teen dogs, not the pups, there. they have the carts, small isles to to get in and out of, other animals (birds,fish, etc) doggie treats to sniff. I like the home depot, never thought of that one, especially the lumber yard with its sounds.

1doggie2, yeah I kinda figured that, I never have socialized my dogs there, just wondering that's all. Thanks anyway!

At 8 weeks old,  I would be cautious...   I personally warn buyers to keep Puppies AWAY from areas heavily populated by other dogs.  I tell them as my vet tells me,  at 15 weeks,  and no less than 4 vaccinations you should be well on your way to safe and then OK to go out into the big bad world of icks and bugs.  :-)

We really like 4-H groups for socializing,  you get the kids, you get the parents, and you get the dogs, (that ARE vaccinated) and are very well socialized with people and other dogs already, all rolled up into one great environment that is not typically riddled with Disease and Doggie Doo.

4-H groups are awesome and the confidence you pup will get by starting out with being around dogs that are already socialized, and confident themselves,  well it "teaches"  your pup to be completely comfortable too.  It works great you might try to locate a local club leader and see if they would mind if you came to watch and to socialize your pup,  be honest with the leader I think you'll find them to be more than helpful !    Hopefully this tip will help you and others,  and they are right ya know,  There are alot of people here willing to help each other out.  More so than not for sure in my OP.    Best of Luck,    :-)

Farmers markets are awesome! I also like older, downtown areas many cities have with little shops and coffee houses, great crowds for weekends. I use a local skateboarding park, lots of loud kids and interesting noises there. Outdoor cafes and ice cream shops, hardware stores. 4th of July parades should be coming up, along with outdoor music festivals, art festivals, outdoor craft sales. Big neighborhood rummage sales are great too. I love summer for puppy raising.

I've heard different things about this.  From socializing the pup as much as possible to it being better to not socialize them as you risk creating a problem (supposedly if they genetically have really good nerves they will turn out fine even if they've grown up as a kenneled dog).  I've also heard to have them around people but without people doteing on them.  Another concern is I've been told by many to allow and even encourage a sport prospect to jump on people... I'll tell you the public does not like this and it really cramps your efforts at socialization.  On top of a lot of people not wanting to see a jumping puppy... there are some people who get scared or frustrated about being jumped on and that may confuse the pup.  Usually professional dog people are good about this... such as those working in pet stores... but one time an owner of a pet store swat one of my dogs because she jumped lightly on her.  Luckily my dog just brushed it off, but I was ticked off.

Trying to balance all I have been told I've been selective in who visits with my current pup as I don't want to annoy the public or create a bad experience, but I also wanted to get my pup out to socialize.  So she would be around the public a lot but without a lot of people visiting her... this hasn't turned out as well either as she is perfectly fine with people around but can be sensitive to people reaching for her and putting their hands all over.  So IMO socialize a lot... maybe teach your dog to sit and visit (so that won't be a problem later on)... don't punish jumping but be careful not to encourage it yet... and make sure it is a lot of fun... later you can work on getting the dog to not be distracted by the people but it is harder to overcome a fear.

Now... how much should one socialize with other dogs so they aren't scared/aggressive but also aren't too "doggie oriented"?

I've had great luck taking my pup to the local firestation.  Fireman are great with pups (most all of them) and it's great to see the pup interacting with someone in a uniform.

My pup decided it was ok to start chewing on one of their boots!  She even tried to pull it around with her. 

Plus, any of you single gals out there with pups......nothing like a cute pup to help you meet a cute fireman.  LOL!