Ideal age for puppy socialization

[Stivani]

Hi, i recently got a new puppy (a week ago) and he is now 10 weeks old and gets his second shots on friday. I had thought once he gets those he could go straight into puppy socialization class but after ringing around a few local dog training centres the earliest i can get him into one is early january by which time he will be 13 weeks old.

Will this be too old for proper socialization with other puppies?

Everything i have read has said they should be in class from as early as 8 weeks, now i am a bit worried he will be a little too old and will miss out on important socialization time.

Has anyone else started a puppy this late?

Thanks bye.

 

[gypsysmum]

You are right. Keep trying until you find one that will let you in even if it is only to sit and watch a class. It needs to be a well run class, using modern, reward based methods. Take a look at the APDT website and travel if necessary to find a good class.

In the meantime, you can carry your puppy anywhere. Your puppy can mix with vaccinated dogs as long as they are friendly. Invite people round and go visit people with your puppy.

It is vital that your puppy sees, and enjoys seeing, as much of the world as possible before the fear period sets in at 12/14 weeks. This is from their wild days when they were programmed to be suspicious of anything outside their world once they hit that age. It is an uphill struggle to socialise and dog that missed out on the early socialisation.

Do not forget about people and places. I once saw a lady with her puppy in a cat carrier sitting outside a café. That puppy was seeing the world with all the people and dogs etc at the right time.

Good luck.

 

[Stivani]

You are right. Keep trying until you find one that will let you in even if it is only to sit and watch a class. It needs to be a well run class, using modern, reward based methods. Take a look at the APDT website and travel if necessary to find a good class.

In the meantime, you can carry your puppy anywhere. Your puppy can mix with vaccinated dogs as long as they are friendly. Invite people round and go visit people with your puppy.

It is vital that your puppy sees, and enjoys seeing, as much of the world as possible before the fear period sets in at 12/14 weeks. This is from their wild days when they were programmed to be suspicious of anything outside their world once they hit that age. It is an uphill struggle to socialise and dog that missed out on the early socialisation.

Do not forget about people and places. I once saw a lady with her puppy in a cat carrier sitting outside a café. That puppy was seeing the world with all the people and dogs etc at the right time.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately i'm in Northern Ireland so my choices of puppy class are a little limited. I phoned pretty much every one here and none were taking classes until January. I have him booked into one in 2 weeks.

In the mean time i have been talking him to friends houses who have dogs and places like Pets at Homes that allow dogs to let him meet people and other dogs. I am looking into a few pubs/cafes here that allow dogs so i can take him there and get him some new experiences.

 

[gypsysmum]

Well done you! Keep it up.

My last dog was a winter pup and despite all my efforts, when we got to summer, was scared of people in sunglasses! It is amazing the things you have to think of to get a well socialised dog

 

[JoanneF]

There's a website called www.doggiepubs.org.uk that lists pubs that allow dogs. They also rate food in the pubs. I would be a little careful about taking a puppy to a pub at this time of year but as long as it isn't a noisy rowdy one, you could find places that will be welcoming and provide good socialisation opportunities.

 

[Stivani]

Well done you! Keep it up.

My last dog was a winter pup and despite all my efforts, when we got to summer, was scared of people in sunglasses! It is amazing the things you have to think of to get a well socialised dog

Thanks for the tip i'll have to watch out for stuff like that. So far he seems fine with everything people dogs cars. etc.

Hopefully he stays that way. He starts his class next week.

There's a website called www.doggiepubs.org.uk that lists pubs that allow dogs. They also rate food in the pubs. I would be a little careful about taking a puppy to a pub at this time of year but as long as it isn't a noisy rowdy one, you could find places that will be welcoming and provide good socialisation opportunities.

Thanks for that tip but the only pub on there near me has closed.

I found a similar facebook page though that does list 4-5 bars/restaurants close to me that i might try.

 

[gypsysmum]

You can pay visits to schools and playgroups as the children arrive or leave. Spend a little time outside a supermarket or outside a café. You will not be short of admirers!

 

[Stivani]

You can pay visits to schools and playgroups as the children arrive or leave. Spend a little time outside a supermarket or outside a café. You will not be short of admirers!

Hi sorry for the late reply, yeah i actually did something similar. Just stood outside Pets at home and was surprised at how many people stopped to ask me about him or ask if their kids could pet him.

It was great for him to meet so many people.

He started his class last week, the one i booked him into is actually very formal and focuses more on training than socialization. So i take him along to another group on a different night also. This one is basically just focused solely on socialization with other dogs/people/children it's great but a bit mad as well if you know what i mean.

 

[gypsysmum]

Well done for all the effort that you are putting in!

Your description of the mad socialisation class has me a little worried. While you want to socialise you do not want a free for all. Keep a close eye on your pup, and the other pups, to make sure they are all enjoying the interactions. If one is bullying another, or another is scared of all the activity then it may not be the right environment.

A local vet ran classes when I was socialising my pup. The nurses running it just let a boisterous Labrador beat up all the other pups. I did not return. I found some better classes where each pup was assessed as to its suitability to be off lead with another puppy.