register for free
View our sister sites
Our sister sites
Our sister sites
Our sister sites
sarah j
Dogsey Junior
sarah j is offline  
Location: York, England
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 42
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 07:02 AM

Socialization of a pup

I wondered if anyone could help, as you know we are, in a couple of weeks time, collecting our Beardie pup, and my question is as she will be nearly twelve weeks old by then, and I was reading in one of the many dog magazines that you can buy that the gap for socialising your pup is eight to twelve weeks, is this only a general rule or is it fact. We are trying to raise the cash to collect her sooner, but the opputunity is just not going to present itself with my husband working, and dosen't get paid until the end of the month. We know that Beardies are generally very intelligent dogs so will she be able to cope with somewhat delayed socilaztion opr not. Please set our minds at rest, because we want to do the best for this pup.
Reply With Quote
Ramble
Dogsey Veteran
Ramble is offline  
Location: dogsville
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,141
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 07:08 AM
It depends on the pup and the breeder really. I like to have my pups before 12 weeks, but many people don't. If the pup has just been in a kennel environment you may have your work cut out for you, but if the pup has been in the breeders home and met stcks of people and all the usual household noises, things may be easier. Totally depends on the pup and breeder. How exciting though...a Beardie pup...awwwwwwww. Hope you are going to post lots of pictures. Beardies are so beautiful.
We saw one in the park the other day, who's coat was flaowing in the wind and just lovely...the owner didn't notice that though as she was too busy laughing at our dog who was rolling around in mud....
Hope this helps!
Reply With Quote
deez
Dogsey Junior
deez is offline  
Location: north wales
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 130
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 07:20 AM
a lot of vets advise not to socialize pups until the injections kick in, supposedly at 12 weeks anyway. agree with above post though, if raised in a home, are usually more used to noises of daily living.
i got pup at 8 weeks, but only socialized with other dogs after 12. and some breeders prefer to keep dogs til 12 weeks too, so i wouldnt worry
Reply With Quote
youngstevie
Dogsey Veteran
youngstevie is offline  
Location: Birmingham UK
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20,832
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 07:37 AM
Again we are probably different to others. We had both Skye and Bruce from 8 weeks and 9 weeks, we carried them everywhere with us, even if I was only popping over to the shops and anyone who wanted to stroke them (especially kids) could.
Once they were vaccinated we took them to as many places as possible where there were dogs, I have even been guilty of asking as many people as possible if thier dog is fine with pups, OK I picked them up on first introduction, but I'd bend down and let them see the other dog and then when I was sure the other dog was ok I'd allow a 'little play' I have three extremely sociable dogs both with people and dogs.
As for Reah she was alot harder as I took her as a adult, completely unsociable......now that took over 2 years but she is fantastic now
Reply With Quote
Ben Mcfuzzylugs
Dogsey Veteran
Ben Mcfuzzylugs is offline  
Location: UK
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,723
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 08:32 AM
yup I got Ben at 8 weeks and I took him everywhere zipped up in my coat
If he had had enough he just turned his face to me and fell asleep
I took him to pubs and even a monthly club I work the door of (not loud music at the door and I put him away before it got too busy)
we even smuggled him into shopping malls untill we were spotted - although I walked round the edges and didnt let too many people come up to him at once

I think after 12 weeks you can still socialise them - you can all their lives its just before 12 weeks they are learning so much faster and have more confidence

So with the new pup I would just take it slow and look out for signs that he has had too much but take him everywhere you can think of
(and take fotos lots of fotos)
Reply With Quote
random
Dogsey Veteran
random is offline  
Location: Norf Eest
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,995
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 08:54 AM
Got both my girls at 7 weeks.

Dusty went everywhere in a zipped up jacket, Maddy was a bit bigger but still went everywhere with me in my arms. School runs were the best for them but an 8 -10 week old weim gets a little heavy after a while so i'm doing some body building before the rott comes along!
Reply With Quote
Dale's mum
Almost a Veteran
Dale's mum is offline  
Location: Kkkkkkkiiiiiool
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,408
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 12:08 PM
I would prefer to start socialising a puppy as soon as possible but a lot depends on the puppy and the breeder.
If the pups are in a house and meeting everyday noises and being well handled I wouldn't worry.
Can you make sure the pup has its injections before you collect it so you can start getting it out and about? Of course you don't want to overwhelm a puppy with too many new experiences all at once. You want the new experiences to be good ones.
Its fun socialising a puppy. I carried Chip with me for little outings as soon as he came home. At this time of year its my best excuse for lots of coffees, sitting outside cafes on busy streets and trips to parks to see lots of children and dogs. You meet some very nice people and don't have to feel guilty about not doing other things
Reply With Quote
Shona
Dogsey Veteran
Shona is offline  
Location: grangemouth for the moment
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 14,890
Female 
 
05-08-2008, 12:49 PM
Originally Posted by Dale's mum View Post
I would prefer to start socialising a puppy as soon as possible but a lot depends on the puppy and the breeder.
If the pups are in a house and meeting everyday noises and being well handled I wouldn't worry.
Can you make sure the pup has its injections before you collect it so you can start getting it out and about? Of course you don't want to overwhelm a puppy with too many new experiences all at once. You want the new experiences to be good ones.
Its fun socialising a puppy. I carried Chip with me for little outings as soon as he came home. At this time of year its my best excuse for lots of coffees, sitting outside cafes on busy streets and trips to parks to see lots of children and dogs. You meet some very nice people and don't have to feel guilty about not doing other things
I kept many of my pups untill they were 12 weeks, by that time they had both injections, but I made sure they were well socialised, my house is very busy,,they lived indoors with me, none of my pups have been affected with any social problems, people I know well such as nero were allowed to take pups early, they are no better or worse than the pups that didnt leave untill later,
Reply With Quote
Meg
Supervisor
Meg is offline  
Location: Dogsey and Worcestershire
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 49,483
Female  Diamond Supporter 
 
05-08-2008, 10:44 PM
Hi Sarah I didn't get my current puppy Chloe until she was twelve weeks old, (eight weeks is my preferred age to acquire a puppy).

Older puppies who have stayed in the litter do have the advantage of being well socialised with other dogs, their siblings and dam . They may of course have been introduced to new experiences by the breeder and like Chloe they may also be fully vaccinated.

If you spend lots of time introducing your puppy to lots of new things in the first few weeks you should to some extent be able to make up for lost time.

Chloe is now eight months old and a very happy confident puppy who isn't scared of anything
Reply With Quote
Moobli
Dogsey Veteran
Moobli is offline  
Location: Scotland
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 19,298
Female 
 
06-08-2008, 12:28 PM
I prefer to get my pups at 8 weeks, but wouldn't be averse to getting an older pup, so long as it had had plenty of socialisation within the breeder's home and environment. Good luck and I look forward to seeing piccies of the new arrival.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools


© Copyright 2016, Dogsey   Contact Us - Dogsey - Top Contact us | Archive | Privacy | Terms of use | Top